Sergey Punko

Sergey Punko or Sergei Punko (born in Navapolatsk on 10 January 1981) is a formerly Belarusian,[1] now Russian Paralympic swimmer. He was born with a progressive eye disease, but had normal sight as a child.[2] He started swimming at age 10, and competed nationally and internationally in able-bodied competition until he was 21.[2] By that time, he had less than 5% vision. Classified S12, he began swimming in disability meets in 2002.[2] He quickly broke long-standing world records, and was named World Disabled Swimmer of the Year in 2003.[2]

He has won four gold medals, five silver, and two bronze.[3] At the 2012 Summer Paralympics he won a gold and silver medals for Russia.[4]

As of February 2013, Punko holds S12 long course world records in 200, 400 and 800 metre freestyle and 200 metre butterfly events.[5]


References

  1. ↑ TVR on his getting a state award from Alexander Lukashenko
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Disabled Swimmers of the Year: Sergei Punko and Danielle Watts". Swimming World Magazine. 24 December 2003. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  3. ↑ IPC infostrada: Sergei Punko
  4. ↑ Swimmers open Russia’s golden account at London Paralympics
  5. ↑ IPC Swimming World Records - Long Course