What is CBDA?
The CBDA (Confederação Brasileira de Desportos Aquáticos) is the national governing body of aquatic sports in Brazil — swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming and open water. Formed in 1977 when aquatic sports separated from Brazil's general sports confederation, it is based in Rio de Janeiro and presides over the largest and most successful aquatic program in Latin America.[1] [2]
What does CBDA govern?
As the recognized national federation, it holds authority over the aquatic disciplines in Brazil: sanctioning competition, maintaining national records and rankings, licensing athletes and clubs, and applying World Aquatics technical rules domestically.[1]
How does CBDA fit into international aquatics?
The federation is a member of World Aquatics and competes within the Americas' structure through Panam Aquatics and its zone confederation CONSANAT. Brazil fields the region's largest delegations at world level — 50 competitors across six aquatic sports at the 2025 World Championships — and its swimmers, led by Olympic and world medalists, anchor South American records and rankings.[3]
National teams and athlete pathway
The CBDA selects and enters every Brazilian national aquatic team — for the Olympic Games, World Championships, Pan American Games, South American Games and South American Championships. Domestically it runs the national championship circuit, headed by the Troféu Brasil (Maria Lenk) and José Finkel trophies, whose results drive national-team selection.[1] [2]
References
- Wikipedia — Brazilian Confederation of Aquatic Sports (background). Accessed August 2026.
- CBDA — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Wikipedia — Brazil at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships (background). Accessed August 2026.
- Panam Aquatics — National Federations of the Americas. Accessed August 2026.