Swimming is a multifaceted sport that includes many different disciplines and requires a high level of concentration and will to win. Swimming fans know that victory in competitions is not easy for athletes and requires great effort from them. Let’s get acquainted with the most titled competitors in this category.
The Most Titled Record Holder in the History of Swimming
A truly unsurpassed competitor in the history of swimming is Mark Spitz. He was born in California on February 10, 1950. Since infancy, Mark has shown an interest in swimming since his family moved to Hawaii when Mark was 2 years old. It was there that he learned to swim and began training in the pool and open water. Mark Spitz had excellent genetics, which provided him with major success in professional sports. In 1972, he became the record holder for a number of first prizes, engaging in 7 awards for first place. His personal best was broken only in 2008 by Mile Phelps.
Throughout his career, this athlete set 33 world records, was honored as the best swimmer in the world three times in 1969, 1971, and 1972.
After the departure of their big sport, Mark continued to be a prominent figure in TV and sports. In 1991, he made a $1 million bet with director Bud Grispan to qualify for the Barcelona Olympics. Despite his age, Mark managed to get himself in proper shape and won the bet.
The Youngest and Most Triumphant Swimmer
The name of this competitor is known to many fans of modern swimming. Michael Phelps was born in Baltimore in 1985. Phelps’s infancy was not entirely prosperous due to the difficult divorce of his parents. His sister decided to bring her brother to the swimming section to distract him from family problems. The young athlete went headlong into training and very soon showed his first achievements. After 3 years of training, he set his first record in his age group.
This competitor, at the age of 15, has already participated in the Olympics, which made him the youngest participant in the competition in history. Phelps is also famous for breaking the personal best of Mark Spitz, who has remained unbeaten since 1972. In 2008, Phelps exceed him and received 9 blue ribbons at the Olympics held in China.
World-renowned European Swimmer
One of the most titled swimmers in Europe is an outstanding athlete from Hungary, Laszlo Cech. He was born in Budapest in 1985 in the family of a professional swimmer. Thus, from the age of 2, he was introduced to swimming and exercising with his father.
Laszlo took his first part in the 2003 Olympics in Athens and immediately made the entire sports community talk about him. He demonstrated unparalleled resilience and courage. During the competition, the athlete broke his ankle, but despite this, he carried on to participate in the Olympics and took third place. With this act, he earned the respect of both his coach and his rivals.
Laszlo has been awarded four Hungarian state awards for outstanding achievements in sports.
Learn More About the Amazing Personalities of the Swimming World
Watch the swimming competition and don’t miss the rise of the new star of modern swimming. Who knows, maybe the next record holder is already preparing for the next Olympic Games!