Paccot's journey of dedication and progress is a testament to his passion for open water swimming.

Paccot participated in both the men's 10km and 5km races, securing 62nd place in the former and 51st place in the latter. Reflecting on his performance, Paccot shared his experiences with World Aquatics after the 5km race.

“I was nervous at the first race. I didn't feel my best during the 10km event," he admitted. "However, my condition improved for the 5km race. I recovered well, and overall, it was an excellent experience. Today, I felt more relaxed. The venue here in Fukuoka is by far the best I've swum. The weather was beautiful, and I'm really enjoying it."

With the tension of competition lifted, Paccot revealed his plans for his stay in Fukuoka. "Maybe I will try some local foods and also watch some other sports competitions, like water polo," he said with a relaxed demeanour.

Paccot first made his international appearance in 2014, at the World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships held in Budapest when he was 18 years old.

Since then, he has steadily climbed the steps, making a debut at the top tier stage at the World Championships in Gwangju 2019, and then competing alongside the world's highest-ranked swimmers again in Budapest 2022.

"This is my third time participating in the championships, with my previous appearances in Korea (Gwangju) in 2019 and Budapest in 2022. I'm happy to have the opportunity to compete at this level again. It's truly a beautiful experience," Paccot explained, expressing his admiration for top swimmers like Florian Wellbrock, Gregorio Paltrinieri, and Ana Marcela Cunha.

"Thanks to the World Aquatics scholarship, I am able to participate in the World Aquatics Championships. It’s incredible to swim alongside these champions in the same race."

Currently based in the United States, Paccot trains in a highly diverse and international environment. "I've been training at Azula Aquatics in Miami, Florida, for one year and five months. I moved from my home country after receiving the scholarship. Previously, I was training at a swimming club in Uruguay," he shared.

"My training partners come from various countries, including El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Aruba, and others. We are a global team of eight swimmers," he added, highlighting the diverse backgrounds of his coaches from Italy, Brazil, Venezuela, and Cuba. "We train in a pool to prepare for open water races. Miami has beautiful beaches, and I love the environment there."

When it comes to race preparation, Paccot doesn't adhere to any routine. He simply focuses, relaxes, and enjoys the thrill of the race. Looking ahead, his sights are set on the Pan American Games and the World Championships in Doha, though nothing is confirmed yet. "I would like to finish in a better position in the next World Championships. Perhaps around 35th or 30th place, or even better," he shyly stated when asked about his expectations.

Swimming has been an important part of Paccot's life since he was two years old, and now, after 25 years, his passion for the sport continues to drive him forward. "My life is swimming. I love swimming," he expressed, signifying his unwavering dedication to the sport that has brought him this far.

About the World Aquatics Scholarship Programme

Launched in 2014 with the aim of increasing the level of aquatics athletes in countries around the globe, the World Aquatics Scholarship Programme has just announced the scholarship recipient athletes for its tenth season. The main goal of the World Aquatics Scholarships Programme is to identify and create an optimal training environment for athletes aspiring to represent their countries at the next World Aquatics Championships and the Olympic Games. The programme aims to support athletes with greater needs and help them reach their full potential.