Argentina Shines at South American Games 2025
The Argentine swimming team delivered a standout performance at the South American Games held in Santa Fe, securing a haul of gold medals and setting multiple records that underscored their dominance in the pool.
Women’s Highlights
Macarena Ceballos led the women’s contingent, claiming gold in the 200‑meter breaststroke with a time that broke the Odesur Games record. Agatha Marcondes of Brazil took silver, while Martina Barbeito of Argentina earned bronze. In the 100‑meter backstroke, 16‑year‑old Cecilia Dieleke captured gold, finishing ahead of Maria de Carvalho (Brazil) and Jasmin Pistelli (Colombia). Laila Chain, aged 15, added a silver medal in the 400‑meter individual medley, finishing behind Agatha Marcondes.
Men’s Highlights
The men’s events saw a strong Brazilian presence. Caio Pumputis won the 200‑meter breaststroke, with Juan Giraldo (Colombia) and Mariano Lazzerini (Chile) completing the podium. Guilherme Basseto of Brazil took gold in the 100‑meter backstroke, followed by Samuel De Oliveira (Brazil) and José Materano (Argentina). Stephan Steverink of Brazil dominated the 400‑meter individual medley, while Leonardo Santos (Brazil) and Sebastián Camacho (Colombia) took silver and bronze respectively. In the 50‑meter butterfly, Jorge Otaiza of Venezuela claimed gold, with Santiago Grassi and Ulises Cazau of Argentina earning silver and bronze. Steverink also set a Games record in the 200‑meter freestyle, winning gold ahead of Murilo Sartori (Brazil) and Juan Morales (Colombia).
Relay Success
Argentina’s women’s 4×100‑meter medley relay team, consisting of Cecilia Dieleke, Macarena Ceballos, Laila Chain, and Andrea Berrino, secured gold with a commanding performance. In the men’s 4×200‑meter freestyle relay, Brazil took gold, followed by Chile and Argentina.
Records and Event Context
Several athletes etched their names into the record books. Ceballos’s 200‑meter breaststroke, Steverink’s 200‑meter freestyle, and Lismar Lyon’s 50‑meter butterfly (Venezuela) all set new Odesur Games marks. The competition, part of the broader South American Games held from September 13 to 26 in Santa Fe, Rosario, and Rafaela, featured swimming events through September 16. Over 50 sports were contested, with 26 serving as qualifiers for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima.
The Argentine squad’s strong showing positions them as contenders for future international competitions, including the upcoming Pan American Games.
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