Brazil, U.S. Tops in Pan Am Swimming

(ATR) The USA and the Brazilian teams took control of the Pan Am swimming competition that ended Saturday in Lima.

Even with the U.S. sending its B and C level teams to the PanAms, Team USA won 39 medals. Brazil followed with a total of 30 medals in the four days of swimming. For the Brazilian team, this event is part of their preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

"It was really great swimming for the USA and winning medals. It’s amazing what the whole team is doing. Yesterday the team nailed it at the relay, it’s really awesome that the USA is getting so many great performances. Breaking the record it's really great, and it's probably going to be broke in a few years, but records are records and beating it feels great," said U.S.swimmer Anne Lazor, who broke the 200 breast Pan Am record with 2.21.40.

The Brazilian team in the men’s 4x100 relay shattered the record set by Brazil at the 2015 Pan Ams in Toronto.

"We did everything as planned. We were really mentalized. The team isreally good, we are motivated and focus on the tournament", said Bruno Giuseppe Fratus.

But also Lima meant the opportunity for Joao Luiz Gomes Junior to have his debut at a continental competition at age 33. Nonetheless he won three medals including the 100m breast gold medal and two others in the relay events.

Brazil’s Guiherme Pereira Da Costa, 20, who won gold at 1500 freestyle, represents the younger side of the team with his first appearance at a Pan Am Games.

"This medal is a dream come truth. It’s always good to compete at these competitions and gaining a gold medal was a conquer that push me to the future. This is my first Pan Am experience and the gold is an honor," said Pereira Da Costa.

US swimmer Nathan Adrian was in the spotlight for his battle with cancer -- and five medals in Lima.

"I'm not feeling the pressure. I came here for the experience and try to win some medals at my first Pan Ams. Things have changed, so I’m really happy to be here, to be competing. This is home, this is where I'm happy. We had a good start for Team USA, and that’s really important," said Adrian.

. Reported by Olivia Diaz Ugalde.