Rômulo Arantes

Rômulo Duncan Arantes Filho (usually Rômulo Arantes; June 12, 1957 – June 10, 2000) was a Brazilian swimmer and an actor. He won a bronze medal in the 100-metre backstroke at the 1978 World Aquatics Championships and four medals at the Universiades (1977 and 1981) and Pan American Games. In the 200-metre backstroke, he not qualified for the final, but also broke the South American record, with a time of 2:12.98.

He competed in the 1975 World Aquatics Championships in Cali. In the 100-metre backstroke, he finished 10th, with a time of 1:00.30, far from his personal best at this moment, the South American record (58.61 seconds). In the 4×100-metre medley, he finished 9th, with a time of 4:01.99, along with Sérgio Pinto Ribeiro, Heliani dos Santos and Ruy de Oliveira. Arantes had contracted a virus that made him stop training for a month, which affected his results negatively in this World Championships.

He was at the 1975 Pan American Games, in Mexico City. He won the bronze medal in the 100-metre backstroke, 4×100-metre medley and 4×200-metre freestyle. He also finished 4th in the 200-metre backstroke.

At the 1977 Summer Universiade, held in Sofia, Arantes won a gold medal in the 100-metre backstroke. At the 1979 Summer Universiade, held in Mexico City, Arantes won a silver medal in the 100-metre backstroke. At the 1981 Summer Universiade, held in Bucharest, Arantes won two bronze medals in the 100-metre backstroke and in the 4×100-metre medley relay.

Around 1977–1981, he studied business administration and trained at Indiana University Bloomington, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1981. After retiring from swimming in the early 1980s, he became a notable national film and TV actor, and was a singer with his music band.