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Heritage, effort and ‘The Victors’: The Borges legacy at Michigan

Certain legacies extend beyond skill; they traverse generations, continents, and emotions.

Within the Borges clan, the passion for the University of Michigan combines with dedication, focus, and sportsmanship—a lineage that initiates with four-time Brazilian Olympic medalist swimmer Gustavo Borges and carries on through his son, Luiz Gustavo, and daughter, Gabriella, both of whom are also former athletes at U-M.

“I was raised in São Paulo knowing the Michigan fight song before the Brazilian national anthem,” stated Gabriella Franco Borges. “Since childhood, we watched Michigan games on TV, and I picked up the song that truly captures the Wolverines’ essence early on.”

Luiz Gustavo Borges recalls his father belting out “The Victors” at the dinner table when he was younger; he never fully committed the lyrics to memory.

“However, upon arriving at Michigan, it was ingrained in our swim team culture to sing the fight song every Saturday after practice,” he mentioned. “This continued for four years. It happened hundreds of times.”

The primary selection

In the 1990s, Gustavo Borges was an emerging athlete, pursuing grand aspirations far beyond Brazil. The gifted swimmer rejected four other college opportunities and followed his instincts to the United States.

“I had always wished to experience life in a new environment,” he remarked. “I recall one of my visits when I saw a few snowflakes falling. I had never encountered snow before.”

Borges soon navigated the uncertainties of adjusting to collegiate life in a climate and a nation so distant from his home.

“I selected Michigan because I had a positive intuition about it, you know?” he added. “I felt a strong bond with the team and the coach, Jon Urbanchek, alongside the academic heritage that deeply influenced me.”

Between 1991 and 1995, Borges balanced rigorous training with the demands of his economics degree at the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Soon, trepidation yielded to accomplishments—and not merely medals.

“I found a second home and grew immensely,” he noted. “Academic insights don’t match the experiences you gain at a university. It’s what you absorb holistically, as a human being. I struggled through a particularly challenging calculus course, which imparted lessons far beyond what any other subject could teach. When you pour significant effort into something and subsequently break down that wall, it proves invaluable over time. Authentic learning is about overcoming challenges.”

Renowned for his explosive speed, Borges amassed 10 NCAA national titles, achieving eight victories in individual races and two in relays. His other accomplishments were remarkable: 24 All-American honors, consecutive victories in the 100-yard freestyle, becoming the sole athlete in Michigan history to claim the title four years in a row—and winning the 1995 National Championship. He was enshrined in the U-M Hall of Fame in 2013.

During his tenure at Michigan, Borges competed in the 1992 Olympics, snagging a silver medal in the 100-meter freestyle. He also earned silver and bronze medals during the 1996 Olympic Games and a bronze at the 2000 Olympics, along with participating in the 2004 Games.

The legacy persists—In his unique manner

Upon Luiz Gustavo Borges’ arrival at U-M’s Canham Natatorium in 2017, his father’s name had already been etched in history: Gustavo Borges’ Olympic swim cap was showcased in the hall alongside other legends such as Michael Phelps, Connor Jaeger, and Tyler Clary.

Did it create excess pressure? Rather than being a burden, Borges’ legacy became a springboard for his son, who has since become a professional swimmer.

“My parents consistently supported me, but they never insisted I attend Michigan,” Luiz Gustavo shared. “I could evaluate different colleges, interact with athletes and coaches, and make my own decision. I recognized a robust tradition there, but also room to craft my own narrative.

“I regarded it as a chance to become the best version of myself. Additionally, I surpassed nearly all of his records and broke the 100-yard freestyle record.”

While enrolled at the Ross School of Business, Luiz Gustavo excelled in swimming, garnering three-time Big Ten champion titles in relays, 12 All-American accolades, and individual recognition at the NCAA level. He maintained a disciplined routine reminiscent of his father’s.

“Only through organization and commitment can one achieve success as a high-level athlete.”
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and pupil. “I discovered how to achieve things with distinction, to give my utmost every day,” he stated.

Outside the water, he highlighted the group’s sense of togetherness.

“On Saturdays, we had taxing morning sessions lasting nearly four hours,” Luiz Gustavo remarked. “However, once it concluded, we would all dine together, either at the pool, in the dormitories, or at a restaurant. Afterwards, already donned in Maize and Blue, we would head to the ‘Big House’ to support the Wolverines. Those moments together were some of my favorites.”

A new journey, the same passion

Gabriella Franco Borges nearly deviated from the norm.

“I desired to forge my legacy elsewhere, but I realized that a legacy endures only if the family returns,” she expressed. “When I attended a match at the Big House, I instantly fell in love. I knew immediately: It was Michigan. Besides being among the finest universities globally, it experiences all four seasons, and Ann Arbor is the most quintessential American city depicted in films.”

She opted for rowing instead of swimming, yet upheld the family’s Maize and Blue legacy.

As a competitor on U-M’s prestigious team, she contributed to the crew securing second place in the Big Ten, achieved a Top 10 finish nationally, and graduated in 2024 with a degree in industrial and operations engineering, achieving academic honors.

“Many girls on the team were also pursuing engineering, so they were all highly committed to both their academics and the sport,” Gabriella noted. “That greatly aided in adapting and excelling in both realms.”

Now, employed at Dow Chemical in Michigan, she integrates lessons from the sport into her daily life.

“At U-M, I acquired extensive knowledge about interacting with individuals and collaborating as a team,” she remarked. “We often cannot accomplish everything alone, and acknowledging each person’s strengths can significantly enhance projects. In rowing, you need to understand each team member individually before you can succeed as a unit. I carry that mindset with me to work every day.”

Principles, entrepreneurship, and influence

Back in Brazil, Gustavo Borges ruled the realm of professional swimming for several decades, attaining a global reputation—celebrity status in his homeland—while shattering world records. Subsequently, he pursued his calling beyond the swimming pools.

In 2004, he stepped back from competitive professional swimming to establish a swimming academy that has since expanded to encompass 400 facilities, impacting over 250,000 students yearly. In 2025, he was honored on the Forbes 50 Over 50 list and continues to solidify his legacy with diligence and consistency.

Together with his son, Luiz, he motivates youth through talks on athletics, education, and overcoming obstacles, maintaining the same fervor as when he was striving for a podium finish.

“I aspire to continue changing lives through sport, education, and health,” Borges expressed. “Moreover, it is crucial to underline that our most significant teachings emerge from family principles. The fundamentals we need to practice in life—like exerting effort in our responsibilities and committing to our aspirations—we learn at home. Michigan was the ideal institution to cultivate those values that originated there.”

Consequently, for the Borges family, “The Victors” transformed from being merely a chant of triumph—at the dinner table, in the living room in São Paulo, or at athletic events on Michigan’s campus—into the anthem that will eternally accompany their family narrative.

Related story on Luiz Gustavo Borges: Just Keep Swimming

Reporting for this narrative was made feasible by a trip to São Paulo, Brazil, to connect with the Borges family. It was sponsored by U-M’s Brazil Initiative at the Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies.

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