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

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