Luis Nicolao

Trained and coached by the winningest Argentinean coach "Profe" Alberto Carranza, Nicolao traveled to Rio de Janeiro with great help from a long time Carranza's friend "Pepe" Caraballo. Despite going too fast in the first 50 meters he broke Fred Schmidt’s world record at 58.4 in the salt water Guanabara pool on 24 April 1962. Carranza knew that Nicolao could go even faster if the first 50 meters were more measured, so he went back to Pepe Caraballo and others to assist and support their stay in Rio for a couple more days in order to try a second time. This resulted in a much better race and the world record was lowered to 57.0 on 27 April 1962. Five years later US swimmer Mark Spitz broke Nicolao's top time.

Media related to Luis Nicolao at Wikimedia Commons

• (in Spanish) Red Argentina Profile

Records
Preceded by Fred Schmidt	Men's 100 metre butterfly world record holder (long course) April 24, 1962 – July 31, 1967	Succeeded by Mark Spitz
Awards
Preceded by Rodolfo Hossinger	Olimpia de Oro 1961	Succeeded by Norma Baylon