Photo: Calixto N. Llanes (JIT)

Havana, December 14 (RHC)-- Cuban Elisbet Gámez set a new national record this Tuesday (54.87 seconds) in the 100-meter freestyle in 25-meter pool, during the second day of the XVI Short Course Swimming World Championships in Melbourne 2022, in Australia.

Gámez went below 55 seconds for the first time and erased her previous record of 55.14 seconds set in Thailand, where she is on a scholarship granted by the International Swimming Federation (FINA).

The Baracoa native placed 34th among the 63 competitors divided into nine heats. The first 12 - out of the 16 qualified for the semifinals - clocked times under 53 seconds.

The best time (52.04) was achieved by Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, from Hong Kong, silver medalist in the 100m and 200m freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She also participated in Rio de Janeiro 2016.

For the 25-year-old Cuban swimmer, this progression represents a lot, as she is also the Island's record holder in long course swimming with 55.51 seconds, the limit set at the Barranquilla 2018 Central Caribbean Games. One of her goals for 2023 is precisely related to the regional event in San Salvador.

The third and last appearance of Luisa María Mojarrieta's student will be next December 17 in her main event, the 200 free. She could have another outstanding performance. One day before, her teammate Rodolfo Falcón Jr. will compete in the 800 freestyle.