Calympians In London 2012: Henrique Barbosa, Brazil Men's Swimming

Henrique Barbosa is another key part to Cal's swimming dominance. The Brazilian will be representing the Blue and the Gold on London 2012 for his home country:

Henrique Ribeiro Marques Barbosa ( Belo Horizonte , July 5 of 1984 ) is a swimmer Brazil . Settled in the United States , where he highlighted the tournaments in NCAA (league university) swimming for the University of California , ^[1]Henry was one of the contestants from Brazil in the Pan American Games 2007 in Rio de Janeiro . His specialty is the chest (individually in the 100m and 200m) and medley relay.

The athlete also earned content and participated in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 , on the evidence of 100m and 200m breaststroke. ^[2]

On May 6th of 2009 , the Maria Lenk Aquatic Park , Henrique Barbosa did what was, at that time, the 2nd fastest time in the history of the 200m breaststroke: 2m08s44. On May 9th of 2009 , repeated the feat in the 100m breast, making also the 2nd fastest time in history: 59s12, and lowering the end of the day, with 59s03. Both world records belonged to the Japanese Kosuke Kitajima .

In the World Rome 2009 , was ranked 8th in the 100m breaststroke, 7th in the 200m breast and fourth place in the 4x100m medley relay with the Brazilian team, in an event spectacular where the first 4 relays beat the world record U.S. Beijing 2008.

After the jump, learn more about Henrique Barbosa before he takes on the world at London. GO BEARS!

Look at some of his international records:

Olympic Swimming Pool (50 meters)
South American record holder of the 100m breaststroke: 59s03, marks obtained in May 10 of 2009
South American record holder of the 200m breaststroke: 2m08s44 marks obtained in May 6 of 2009
South American record of the 4x100m medley: 3m29s16 obtained on May 8 of 2009 , with Guilherme Guido , Gabriel Mangabeira and Cesar Cielo
Semi-Olympic swimming pool (25 meters)
South American record holder of the 200m breaststroke: 2m04s35 marks obtained in November 14 of 2009

Barbosa blogs and has some thoughts on London 2012:

In a few days to the London Olympic Games begin, and anxiety increases every day. Anxiety in the right direction, because only those who have been involved in any Olympics and knows how it feels good to experience it all. Since the first procedure on arrival in the village, passing through the x-ray, even the choice of apartments, the dining hall, swimming pool, in short, is a unique experience that offers many feelings in humans. However, the decrease training, preparation begins to polish and receive the "finishing touches" and the work of a life is at stake soon. The athlete must be prepared for it, and we all believe. After all, is not the first competition, much less the last ... noes and one thing that swimmers are "bald" to do is tell tile! I believe this is the best participation of Brazil in the Olympics. Best not only medals, but in the end, and improvements from time. Compared to other games, I think it is a team much more focused, very professional, and technical support with a surprise. I believe in our selection, our swimmers and hope you loving this player espoerte also believe, as each message of support, each good energy, every cry, account, and much, why call upon the whole of Brazil to jump in with us one more challenge. See you in London!!

During his time at Cal, Barbosa had a lot of collegiate success:

JUNIOR IN 2004-05: Cal's only returning swimmer who earned All-America honors in individual events at the 2005 NCAA Championships; was fifth (53.45) in the 100 and seventh (1:56.97) in the 200 breaststrokes...All-American for swimming the breaststroke leg on Cal's winning 200 medley relay...third (53.58) in 100 and third (1:56.34) in 200 breaststrokes at the Pac-10 Championships.

SOPHOMORE IN 2003-04: Earned All-America honors in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 medley relay...took fourth in the 100 (59.45) and ninth in the 200 (2:10.65) breaststroke at NCAAs...part of the third-place 200 medley relay (1:35.02, Cal's top time of the season) at NCAAs...at Pac-10s, set Cal records in the 100 (53:59) and 200 (1:55.16) breaststroke and took second place in each event...part of Cal's winning 400 medley relay (3:07.01) at Pac-10s that set school and conference records.

FRESHMAN IN 2002-03: Qualified for NCAAs in the breaststroke events...scored points at Pac-10s with a sixth-place finish in the 100 breast (55.24) and seventh-place finish in the 200 breast (2:01.14)...swam Cal's fastest time of the season in the 100 breast (54.50), good for fifth place on the Bears' all-time list.

Good luck to Barbosa in London 2012. GO BEARS!