Asian Games Finalist Arsen Kozhakhmetov Commits to NC State for 2024

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Kazakhstani breaststroke specialist Arsen Kozhakhmetov, a finalist at the 2023 World Junior Championships and Asian Games, announced his commitment to NC State earlier this week.

“I am happy to announce my commitment to North Carolina State University,” Kozhakhmetov wrote on Instagram. “I’d like to thank my family, friends, and coaches for all their support along the way. Can’t wait for the next four! Go Pack!🐺”

Kozhakhmetov is fresh off an appearance at the 2024 World Championships last month in Doha, Qatar, where the 17-year-old placed 32nd in the 50 breast (28.59) and 37th in the 100 breast (1:02.53). Last September, he made World Junior finals in the 50 breast (28.35) and 100 breast (1:01.54) before placing 7th in the 50 breast (28.42) at the Asian Games later that month behind world record holder Qin Haiyang (26.35).

At the 2023 Kazakhstan Championships last March, Kozhakhmetov swept national titles in the 50 breast (28.43), 100 breast (1:01.89), and 200 breast (2:16.53). He’s a 2023 graduate of the Asiana Republican Sports School in Kazakhstan and a member of the national team there.

Best LCM Times (Converted to SCY)

• 50 breast – 28.15 (24.45)
• 100 breast – 1:01.54 (53.63)
• 200 breast – 2:16.53 (1:59.39)

Kozhakhmetov’s best converted 100 breast time would have made the C-final of 100 breast at the 2024 ACC Championships last month. The Wolfpack’s best finisher in the event last year was NC State junior Sam Hoover with a 9th-place showing in 52.22. Kozhakhmetov’s best converted 50 breast time could also put him in contention for a spot on the Wolfpack’s 200 medley relay, where Hoover posted the 16th-fastest 50 breast split in the field (23.40) at the NCAA Championships on Wednesday night.

The Wolfpack men won their fourth consecutive ACC title last month before placing 5th at NCAAs on Saturday, marking their ninth year in a row finishing inside the top 10 under head coach Braden Holloway.

The ACC is about to get even more competitive next season with Cal and Stanford joining the conference from the Pac-12. Fortunately for NC State, Kozhakhmetov is among a solid group of newcomers tasked with replacing Kacper Stokowski and five other fifth years.

Kozhakhmetov joins sprint star Kaii Winkler, Charlie Bufton, Hudson Schuricht, Hudson DeGroote, Simon Bermudez, Brasen Walker, and Matt Marsteiner in NC State’s 2024 recruiting class. Daniel Diehl was initially a member of that recruiting class, but he arrived at NC State early in January after junior David Curtiss unexpectedly departed last fall.

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