Russian Olympic medalist and former world record holder Anton Chupkov officially announced his retirement from competitive swimming.
27-year-old Chupkov initially planned to retire shortly after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where he placed 4th in the 200 breaststroke. However, he then competed at the World Cup later in 2021.
Chupkov has not competed internationally since Russia invaded Ukraine and Russian athletes were suspended from international competition. While Russian athletes deemed neutral in the war were allowed to compete in the Olympics, the Ukrainian Government listed Chupkov as pro-war for liking and sharing pro-war posts.
Within the Russian swimming sphere, Chupkov has not been training intensely for some time, according to an interview with the Russian Swimming Federation. He also said that his decision to retire had nothing to do with performance or international suspension.
Perhaps Chupkov’s biggest career accomplishment comes from the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju. There, Chupkov won his first world title in world record fashion, clocking a time of 2:06.12 in the 200 breaststroke. This broke the previous world record of 2:06.67, jointly held by Ippei Watanabe and Matthew Wilson.
This record lasted for three years until Zac Stubblety-Cook brought it down to 2:05.95 at the 2022 Australian Championships. The current world record stands at 2:05.48 by Qin Haiyang from the 2023 World Championships.
Chupkov is also an Olympic medalist, earning bronze in the 200 breast at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. He’s also a two-time European Champion and holds four World Championship medals.
Dang this headline makes me feel old, it feels like yesterday this guy was one of the top male swimmers being talked about. He’s another one that I feel was “robbed” of an Olympic gold with the 2020 —> 2021 postponement.
He is apparently soon to be a father. Could have played a role in the decision.
Low-key goated swimmer
Prigoda better L L L L
For those that use swolf scores, he went 32.5 in the 2nd 50 of the 2b with 12 strokes, so a score of 44 or 45 if you count the pull out.
with a slow turn and no streamline too 😄
And a gold chain around his neck!
Choke-kov
I would disagree. Of the 4 major compititions he competed in durinf his prime(wc and olympics), he medaled 3 of them, winning 2. His fastest swims always came when in the final
How can a man be pro-war?
He’s pro-Russia and they are the invading party.
He was in the sports club of the army – CSKA. Also some of his friends are seemingly fighting in the war.
This guy i feel massively underrated. He broke the world record withought streamlining once the entire race. His strategy to sandbag the first 100 and sprint the second is still one of the most successful techniques ever in the 200 br. I feel like he had potential to be even faster so its sad to see him go.