José Couto

Jose Guilherme Couto (born 27 February 1978) is a Portuguese swimmer. He competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics, the 2000 Summer Olympics, and the 2004 Summer Olympics.

José Couto

Personal information
Nationality	Portuguese
Born	(1978-02-27) 27 February 1978 (age 46) Lisbon, Portugal
Height	1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight	82 kg (181 lb)
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Breaststroke
Club	Sporting Clube de Portugal
Medal record Men’s swimming Representing  Portugal World Championships (SC) 2002 Moscow 50 m breaststroke European Championships (SC) 1999 Lisbon 200 m breaststroke 1999 Lisbon 100 m breaststroke

In the short course, he was Vice-World champion in 2002, and Vice-European champion in 1999, as well as winning a bronze medal at the 1999 European Short Course Championships.

Over the course of his career, he has won 108 medals, including one gold medal, and one bronze medal, at Swimming World Cup circuits.

Background

Couto was born 27 February 1978 in Lisbon, and emigrated to the United States.^[1] He has one brother. When he was seventeen years old, Couto began to win big titles and became one of the best Portuguese swimmer of all time in breaststroke.^[1][2] Once arriving in the United States, he attended Florida Gators swimming and diving team and swam for coach Gregg Troy, and with the second-most decorated swimmer in Olympic history, Ryan Lochte from 2002 to 2005.^[3]

International career

1996 Summer Olympics

See also: Swimming at the 1996 Summer Olympics

At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States, he swam a 2.17.28 in the prelims of the 200-metre breaststroke to set a new Portuguese record in the event but did not advance to the final.^[4]

1997 Swimming World Cup

Stop 1: Espoo

On the first day of the short course 1997 FINA Swimming World Cup in Espoo, Finland, Couto won a bronze medal in the 200-metre breaststroke, finishing in a time of 2.15.81 seconds with Polish Mark Krawczyk, gold medalist, and Raiko Pachel, silver medalist.^[5]

Stop 2: Malmo

At stop number two of the World Cup series, held in Malmö, Sweden, Couto improved upon his placement, this time winning the gold medal in the 200-metre breaststroke with a time of 2.14.98 seconds and sharing the podium with American Travis Myers, gold medalist, and Peter Aronsson, silver medalist.^[6]

1997 European Championships

At the 1997 European Championships held in December 1997 in Seville, Spain, Couto placed fifth in the final, breaking the Portuguese national record with a time of 2.14.90 seconds.^[7]

1998 World Championships

In the preliminary heats of the 200-metre breaststroke at the 1998 World Aquatics Championships on 8 January, Couto placed fourteenth in the preliminaries with a time of 2.17.51 seconds. He ranked sixth in the evening B final, swimming in a 2.18.37 seconds.^[8]

1999 Swimming World Cup

Starting out at the first short course 1999 FINA Swimming World Cup stop in Paris, France, Couto placed 4th in the final in the 100-metre breaststroke set at 1.01.28 seconds.^[9]

1999 World Short Course Championships

For the 1999 World Championships held 1–4 April at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hong Kong, Couto placed 6th in the final in the 200-metre breaststroke,^[10] set at 2.09.56 seconds. Also, placed 7th in the final in the 200-metre breaststroke.^[11]

1999 European Championships

For the 1999 European Championships held in Istanbul, Turkey from 26 July to 1 August, in the 50 m pool of the Ataköy Olympic Pool Stadium, Couto placed 7th in the final of the 200-metre breaststroke set at 2.16.05 seconds.^[12]

1999 European Short Course Championships

The 1999 European Short Course Championships held in Complexo Desportivo do Jamor in Lisboa, Portugal, from 9 to 11 December, Couto won a silver medal in the 200-metre breaststroke with a 2.09.98, finishing 2.16 seconds behind first-place finisher Stéphan Perrot of France, and 1 second ahead of third-place finisher Adam Whitehead, bronze medalist.^[13] In the final of the 100-metre breaststroke the following day, he won the bronze medal with a time of 59.70 seconds.^[14]

2000 European Championships

The 2000 European Championships held in 3 July to 9 July 2000 in Helsinki, Finland, Couto placed 7th in the final in the 200-metre breaststroke, in 2.16.59 seconds.^[15]

2000 Summer Olympics

See also: Swimming at the 2000 Summer Olympics

At the 2000 Summer Olympics held from 15 September to 1 October 2000 in Sydney, Australia, he swam a 1.02.79 in the prelims of the 100-metre breaststroke^[16] finishing 18th, and the 200-metre breaststroke,^[17] finishing 26th.

2001 World Championships

At the 2001 World Championships held from 15 September to 1 October 2000 in Fukuoka, Japan, Couto placed tenth in the evening semifinals of the 200-metre breaststroke,^[18] placed eleventh in the evening semifinals of the 100-metre breaststroke,^[19] and placed fifteen in the evening semifinals of the 50-metre breaststroke.^[20]

2002 World Short Course Championships

At the 2002 European Short Course Championships in Moscow, Russia, Couto turned in his best performance in an international tournament, winning the silver medal in the 50-metre breaststroke finishing in a time of 27.22 seconds, which was 0.80 seconds slower than the gold medalist and world record holder in the event Oleg Lisogor.^[21] In his second event, he placed 6th in the 200-metre breaststroke, finishing in a time of 2.09.14 seconds.^[22]

2004 European Championships

The 2004 European Championships held in Madrid, Spain from 5–16 May, at the M86 Swimming Center, Couto split a 1.03.54 for the breaststroke leg of the 4×100 metre medley relay, placed ninth with a final relay time of 3:46.11 seconds.^[23]

2004 Summer Olympics

See also: Swimming at the 2004 Summer Olympics

At the 2004 Summer Olympics held from 13 to 29 August 2004 in Athens, Greece, he placed 33rd in the prelims heats of the 100-metre breaststroke with a final time of 1.03.72 seconds.^[24]

Personal best times

Long course metres (50 m pool)

Event	Time	Meet	Location	Date	Ref
50 m breaststroke	28.54	2002 World Short Course Championships	Moscow, Russia	3 April 2002	^[25]
100 m breaststroke	1:02.20	1999 European Short Course Championships	Lisbon, Portugal	9 December 1999	^[26]
200 m breaststroke	2:14.90	1999 European Short Course Championships	Lisbon, Portugal	9 December 1999	^[27]

Short course metres (25 m pool)

Event	Time	Meet	Location	Date	Ref
50 m breaststroke	27.22	2002 World Short Course Championships	Moscow, Russia	3 April 2002	^[25]
100 m breaststroke	59.62	1999 European Short Course Championships	Lisbon, Portugal	9 December 1999	^[26]
200 m breaststroke	2:09.98	1999 European Short Course Championships	Lisbon, Portugal	9 December 1999	^[27]

Swimming World Cup circuits

The following medals Couto has won at Swimming World Cup circuits.^[28]

Edition	Gold medals	Silver medals	Bronze medals	Total
1997	1	0	1	2
Total	1	0	1	2

Honours and awards

• Bordalo Press Award,^[29] distinguished in the category of sports on 4 June 2000, at the Culturgest Grand Auditorium^[30]
• Stromp Award,^[31] distinguished three times with the Stromp Award in 1995, 96 and 97^[32]

See also

• List of World Swimming Championships (25 m) medalists (men)
• List of European Short Course Swimming Championships medalists (men)

References

1. "Jose Couto: Profile". FINA. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
2. "Jose Couto - One of the best ever in Portuguese swimming". Sporting CP. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
3. "Gator Swim Club Bio: Couto". GSC. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
4. Omega Timing; Atos (7 February 2023). "Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games: Swimming Results Book" Archived at the International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
5. FINA (7 February 2023). "FINA Swimming World Cup 1997 Espoo (FIN): Men's 200m Breaststroke Final Results" Retrieved 7 February 2023.
6. FINA (7 February 2023). "FINA Swimming World Cup 1997 Malmo (SWE): Men's 200m Breaststroke Final Results" Retrieved 7 February 2023.
7. LEN (7 February 2023). "1997 European Swimming Championships Seville (ESP): Results Men's 200m Breaststroke Final". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
8. FINA (7 February 2023). "8th FINA World Championships Perth (AUS): Men's 200 metre breaststroke Final Results". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
9. FINA (7 February 2023). "8th FINA Swimming World Cup Paris (FRA): 100m Breaststroke Final Results". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
10. FINA (7 February 2023). "4th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Hong Kong (CHI): Men's 200m Breaststroke Final Results". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
11. FINA (7 February 2023). "4th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Hong Kong (CHI): Men's 200m Breaststroke Final Results". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
12. "4th LEN European Championships (50m) Istanbul (TUR): Men's 200m Breaststroke Final Results". TheSports.org Retrieved 7 February 2023.
13. LEN (7 February 2023). "1999 European Short Course Swimming Championships Lisbon (POR): Results Men's 200m Breaststroke Final". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
14. LEN (7 February 2023). "1999 European Short Course Swimming Championships Lisbon (POR): Results Men's 100m Breaststroke Final". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
15. LEN (7 February 2023). "2000 European Short Course Swimming Championships Helsinki (FIN): Results Men's 200m Breaststroke Final". Omega Timing. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
16. Omega Timing; Atos (7 February 2023). "2000 Summer Olympics Results - Swimming: Men's 100m Breaststroke" Omega timing. International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
17. Omega Timing; Atos (7 February 2023). "2000 Summer Olympics Results - Swimming: Men's 200m Breaststroke" Omega timing. International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
18. FINA (7 February 2023). "9th FINA World Championships (50m) Fukuoka (JPN): Men's 200m Breaststroke Final Results". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
19. FINA (7 February 2023). "9th FINA World Championships (50m) Fukuoka (JPN): Men's 100m Breaststroke Final Results". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
20. FINA (7 February 2023). "9th FINA World Championships (50m) Fukuoka (JPN): Men's 50m Breaststroke Final Results". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
21. FINA (7 February 2023). "6th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Moscow (Russia): 50m Breaststroke Final Results". Omega Timing. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
22. FINA (7 February 2023). "6th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Moscow (Russia): 200m Breaststroke Final Results". Omega Timing. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
23. LEN (7 February 2023). "2004 European Championships Madrid (ESP): Results Men's 4×100-metre medley relay Final". Omega Timing. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
24. Omega Timing; Atos (7 February 2023). "Athens 2004 Olympic Games: Swimming Results Book" Omega timing. International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
25. FINA (7 February 2023). "6th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Moscow (Russia): 50m Breaststroke Final Results". Omega Timing. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
26. LEN (7 February 2023). "1999 European Short Course Swimming Championships Lisbon (POR): Results Men's 200m Breaststroke Final". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
27. LEN (7 February 2023). "1999 European Short Course Swimming Championships Lisbon (POR): Results Men's 200m Breaststroke Final". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
28. "Jose Couto Medals". FINA. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
29. https://jornalistas.eu/premios-bordalo
30. "Bordalo Press Award attributed to Jose Couto in the category of sports". The Union of Journalists. 22 January 2002. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
31. https://www.wikisporting.com/index.php?title=Pr%C3%A9mios_Stromp
32. "Stromp Award attributed three times to Jose Couto in the category of Athlete of the Year". Sporting Club de Portugal. Retrieved 7 February 2023.

External links

• Jose Couto at FINA
• Jose Couto at Olympics.com
• Jose Couto at Olympedia