2020 Tokyo Summer Paralympic Games
- When: Pool swimming: Wednesday, August 25 – Friday, September 3, 2021
- Where: Olympic Aquatics Centre / Tokyo, Japan
- Heats: 9 AM / Finals: 5 PM (Local time)
- Event Page
- Full aquatics schedule
- Start Lists / Results
It is Paralympic week in Tokyo and time to look at some of the big medal contenders and up-and-coming stars on the men’s side.
Explanation of Para Classification System
- There are 14 classifications for Paralympic swimmers, typically denoted as “S” followed by a number.
- “SB” designates an athletes classification for breaststroke events
- “SM” is for individual medley events
- Athletes with physical impairments are classified in S1-S10, SB1-SB9, and SM1-SM10 with numbers 1-10 ranging from more severe activity limitations to less severe limitations.
- Athletes with visual impairments are classified in S/SB11-13.
- Athletes with intellectual impairments are classified in S/SB14.
1. Maksym Krypak, UKR – 4-time Paralympic gold medalist Krypak is headed to his 2nd Paralympic Games. In Rio, he won gold in S10 50 free, 100 free, 400 free, and 100 back in Rio alongside 4×100 free relay.
He also claimed silver in S10 100 fly, 200 IM, and 4×100 medley relay. Defending world champ in 100 free, 400 free,100 back, 100 fly, and 200 IM. 5-time world champ.
Events in Tokyo:
- 50 free – S10
- 100 free – S10
- 400 free – S10
- 100 back – S10
- 100 fly – S10
- 200 IM – SM10
2. Simone Barlaam, ITA – 7-time World Champion Barlaam is making his Paralympic debut in Tokyo.
He is the defending world champion in 3 out of his 4 Tokyo events (S9 50 free, S9 100 back, and S9 100 fly. The 21-year-old recently broke the World Record in the 100 free at the Para European Championships.
Events in Tokyo:
- 50 free – S9
- 400 free – S9
- 100 back – S9
- 100 fly – S9
3. Antonio Fantin, ITA – 20-year-old Fantin is the defending world champion in the S6 400 free. He won the event both in 2017 and 2019. Fantin also claimed silver in the S6 50 free and 100 free in 2019.
He broke his S6 50 free World Record twice on the same day at the Para European Championships and swam on Italy’s World Record-setting 4×100 free relay.
Events in Tokyo:
- 50 free – S7
- 100 free – S6
- 400 free – S6
- 100 back – S6
4. Ihar Boki, BLR – Two-time Paralympian Boki broke 4 world records at both the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games. In London, he earned 5 gold medals and in Rio that number grew to 6.
Boki was named Male Swimmer of the Year after being the most decorated athlete overall at the 2016 Paralympic Games.
27-year-old Boki has continued his international dominance. Now, he is a total 28-time world champion. He won 6 of those titles at the 2019 World Championships and he recently came close to his own European Record in the 100 fly at Para European Championships.
Events in Tokyo:
- 50 free – S13
- 400 free – S13
- 100 back – S13
- 100 breast – S13
- 100 fly – S13
- 200 IM – SM13
5. Roman Zhdanov RPC – Tokyo will be 23-year-old Zhdanov’s Paralympic debut.
He is a 5-time world champion who recently won 3 gold medals at Para European Champs (50 back S4, 50 breast SB3, 150 IM SM4.) He also broke the SM4 men’s 150 IM World Record at the same meet and could lower it again in Tokyo.
Events in Tokyo:
- 50 free – S4
- 100 free – S4
- 200 free – S4
- 50 back – S4
- 50 breast – SB3
- 150 IM – SM4
Looking forward to seeing what Aussie Will Martin does to his own S9 100Fly world record. Has been training the house down and ready to explode on the world stage. Go after it Marto 💪💪💥.
Fun fact: Boki holds the overall Belarusian national record in the 400 free as well