19YO Junior World Champion Silences Michael Andrew With a Career Upset at Doha Worlds

Since plenty of Olympic quotas are available to secure, the up-and-coming swimmers have set their sights strong. Not only that, they have already picked their rival picks ahead of the individual feats. The 2024 World Championships event in the Qatar Capital has been serving us peak thrill for the past few days. While icons like Michael Andrew are pitching up to defend their titles, some teens are making waves this year.

Nobody is building on the resume like Michael Andrew is. The history maker, who became the first US man to represent his nation in the breaststroke event, aims to collect more. But the 2023 World Aquatics Championships silver medalist avenged his last loss skillfully.

Diogo Matos Ribeiro, the 19-year-old young gun from Portugal, has smoothly finished in the pole position of the men’s 50m butterfly event. This being a major upset to the American competitive swimmer, the junior record holder has some serious contention up his sleeves for the seniors. Clocking in at 22.97, Ribeiro pushed Andrew to the second by a decent margin. The latter clocked in at 23.07. Even the hundredth of a second counts here.

Kyle Sockwell’s X post reads, “PORTUGALLLLLLLLLLLL YOU HAVE A WORLD CHAMPION!!!! Diogo Matos Ribeiro wins the 50 butterfly final with a 22.97.“

Another X post of World Aquatics features the super ecstatic teen splashing water like confetti, with the caption “WHAT A SWIM” paired with it. At the 2022 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Lima, Peru, Matos won the gold in his forte butterfly event. His Portuguese record with a time of 22.80s paved the way for making waves on the global platform as well.

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Michael Andrew dedicates the win to his country!

As the only man inside 23s, the 19-year-old had accelerated his performance after a weak start. But the icing on the cake was Thomas Ceccon’s withdrawal in the wake of a finger injury. One less rival equals more chances to make it to the Olympics.

“When I touched the wall and watched the time and I saw I was first, I got a feeling that I had never ever felt before. This medal goes for my country, my staff, my family, my girlfriend,” he said after the most anticipated win.

For a teenager, to recognize the thin line between planning and executing was commendable. Stepping into another phase of his career, the Olympic year is going to be crucial.

READ MORE: Doha Swimming Championship Preview: Kate Douglass Dominant as She Looks to Recreate Fukuoka Performance Before Olympics