Nikolay Pankin

Nikolay Pankin was the top Soviet male breaststroke swimmer at the end of 1960s and start of 1970s. Pankin made his international début at the 1968 Olympic Games, where he won bronze in the 100 breaststroke and was fourth at 200 metres. At the 1970 and 1974 European Championships, Pankin won a full set of medals at both of those competitions: golds in 100 breast, silvers in 200 breast, and bronzes in the medley relay.

Pankin’s last international medal came at the 1975 World Championships, where he won bronze in the 200 breaststroke. During his career Pankin also competed at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics and at the 1973 World Championships, but did not medal, although he reached the final of either the 100 or 200 metre breaststroke in all of these tournaments. He was also the Universiade 200 breaststroke champion in 1973. During his career, Pankin set four world records, two in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.2 in 1968 and 1:05.8 in 1969) and two in the 200 breaststroke (2:26.5 and 2:25.4 in 1969).

Domestically, Pankin won 13 Soviet titles: 100 breaststroke: 1969, 1971, 1974-75; 200 breaststroke: 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974-75; and the medley relay in 1965, 1969, 1973 and 1975. Pankin finished his sporting career after the 1976 Olympics and later worked as a swimming coach in Moscow. His most famous pupil was multiple Olympic medalist in breaststroke swimming Dmitry Volkov.

Personal Bests: 100 m breaststroke – 1:05.38 (1976); 200 m breaststroke – 2:21.37 (1975).