Anton Chupkov
Born February 2, 1997 Anton Chupkov is a decorated youth and senior level breaststroke specialist from Russia. Originally from Moscow, Chupkov qualified for his first World Championships at just 18 years old, and has also broken more than one Junior World Record. Specializing in the 100 and 200-meter breast, Chupkov won his first Russian National title in 2015.
Russian Federation Youth National Team
Standing 6’2″ Chupkov swam as a member of Russia’s Junior National Team from 2013. He won his first medals as a member of the squad at the 2013 European Youth Summer Olympic Festival – Chupkov took gold in the 200, and silver in the 100-meter breast.
The following year Chupkov swam at the 2014 European Junior Championships where he won an array of medals including two bronzes in the 50 and 100, but took silver in the 200-meter breast. He also swam on Russia’s medley relays, both on the men’s squad and the mixed relay team. In August 2014 Chupkov competed at the 2014 Youth Olympics, which were held in Nanjing — he brought home 5 medals including two golds and two Junior World Records.
2015 European Games (Baku, Ajerbaijan)
Just months before his first World Championships Chupkov swam at the 2015 European Games held in Baku. He snagged four gold medals including a new World Junior Record in the 100-meter breast, which broke his previous mark set in August 2014 and was the only swimmer in the field to go under 1:01. Chupkov’s mark was also a new European Games mark. Dominating the meet, Chupkov won three more golds in the 100 breast, 4×100 medley relay and the 4×100 mixed medley relay.
2015 World Championships (Kazan, Russia)
Competing in his first World Championships Chupkov set a Junior World Record in the semi-finals of the 200-meter breast finishing in 2:09.64. The first timer advanced to the championship final, and had a strong third 50, which helped him to finish 7th overall just under the 2:10 mark.
A few weeks later Chupkov then competed in the World Junior Championships, which were held in Singapore. He won both the 100 and 200-meter breast, including a meet record in the 200, but finished 7th in the 50-meter breast.
2016 Rio Olympics (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
At 19 years old, Chupkov won a bronze medal in his first Olympic Games. In the 200 meter breaststroke, Chupkov touched third in 2:07.70. Japan’s Yasuhiro Koseki jumped out ahead of the rest of the field under world record pace at the halfway mark. But in the final 50 he tightened up and the rest of the swimmers took advantage. The race came down to the touch. Kazakhstan’s Dmitriy Balandin and USA’s Josh Prenot beat Chupkov to the wall in first and second.
He was also a member of Russia’s 4×100 meter medley relay team who finished fourth on the final night of swimming in Rio.
2017 World Championships (Budapest, Hungary)
With one World Championships under his belt and no longer a teenager, Chupkov became a World Champion. He won gold in the 200 meter breaststroke in a new Championship and European record on 2:06.96. A stunning final 15 meters sealed the gold after turning fourth with the final 50 meters left.
2018 European Championships (Glasgow, United Kingdom)
Chupkov had a busy meet in Glasgow, winning 2 individual medals plus 1 on a relay. First he won a bronze in the 100 breast, swimming a lifetime best in the event and earning his first senior international medal in the 100. He then backed up his world champion title with a European one, going another lifetime best of 2:06.80, a championship and European record. He finished the meet by swimming breaststroke on Russia’s 4×100 medley relay, which finished 2nd overall.
2019 World Championships (Gwangju, South Korea)
After placing 8th in the 100 (59.19), Chupkov stormed back in the 200 breast. Racing to the lead in the last 50, Chupkov once again had a come-from-behind victory to defend his world title and smash the world record, touching at 2:06.12.
Chupkov finished his schedule in the prelims of the 4×100 medley relay, splitting 58.90 in the morning to seed Russia 1st, where they went on to win bronze.
