Aleksandr Krasnykh

View Current photo via Courtesy of Mike Lewis

Aleksandr Krasnykh is Russian freestyle specialist, Olympic finalist and World Championship medalist.

International Career

Krasnykh made his senior international debut at the short course World Championships in 2014. A year later he was in front of a home crowd at the World Championships in Russia, where he finished 7th in the 200 meter freestyle in 1:46.88.

2016 Rio Olympic Games

In his Olympic debut, Krasnykh made the final in the 200 meter freestyle where he finished 8th in 1:45.91. He also swam the 400 meter freestyle where he finished 15th overall in 3:47.39. Krasnykh joined his Russian teammates in the 800 meter freestyle relay, finishing 5th in the final.

2017 World Championships

On day three at the World Championships,  Krasnykh won the bronze medal in the 200 meter freestyle behind Sun Yang of China and Townley Haas of the USA. He touched in a new best time of 1:45.23. He also swam the 400 meter freestyle to begin his meet setting a new best time of 3:47.35 but failing to make the final, finishing in 13th.

He was back in action in the 4×200 meter freestyle relay where he was joined by Mikhail Dovgalyuk, Mikhail Vekovishchev and Danila Izotov to win the silver medal. Krasnykh swam the final leg to move Russia past USA but James Guy of Great Britain over took both teams to take the gold. Krasnykh had a final split of 1:44.80 to help Russia to finish in 7:02.68.

2017 SCM European Championships

On the first day at the European Championships, Krasnykh became a European Champion in the 400 freestyle with the time of 3:35.51. He won the race by a decent margin as Peter Bernek took silver touching the wall 1.63 seconds behind Krasnykh.

2018 Short Course World Championships
In Hangzhou, Krasnykh anchored Russia’s 4×200 free relay, nearly beating out Brazil but not quite getting to the wall first, securing silver and a new European record.

2019 World Championships (Gwangju, Korea)

Krasnykh was part of Russia’s silver medal 4×200 relay team, which clocked a 7:01.81, finishing behind Australia (7:00.85). Krasnykh swam the third leg (1:45.38) behind Mikhail Dovgalyuk (1:45.56) and Mikhail Vekovishchev (1:45.45) and ahead of Martin Malyutin (1:45.42).

Krasnykh also finished ninth in the 400 free (3:46.65).

International Medals

Place Event Year Meet
Silver 800 Freestyle Relay 2017 World Championships
Bronze 200 Free 2017 World Championships
Gold 800 Freestyle Relay 2016 Short Course World Championships
Silver 400 Free 2016 Short Course World Championships
Bronze 200 Free 2016 Short Course World Championships
Silver 800 Freestyle Relay 2018 Short Course World Championships
Silver 800 Freestyle Relay 2014 European Championships

Best Times

Course Event Time Date Meet
lcm 200 Free 1:45.23 07/25/17 2017 World Championships
Budapest, Hungary
lcm 400 Free 3:45.55 04/08/19 Russian Championships
Moscow, Russia
Aleksandr Krasnykh 2017 World Championships Budapest, Hungary (photo: Mike Lewis) Aleksanr Krasnykh (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography) (photo: Mike Lewis) (photo: Mike Lewis)