Natalia Sergeyevna Ishchenko (Russian: Наталья Серге́евна Ищенко; born 8 April 1986) is a retired Russian synchronized swimmer, five-times Olympic champion and nineteen-times world champion.

Natalia Ishchenko
Ishchenko in 2016
Personal information
Full nameNataliya Sergeyevna Ishchenko
NationalityRussian
Born (1986-04-08) 8 April 1986 (age 38)
Smolensk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Height1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight56 kg (123 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesSynchronized swimming
ClubDynamo Moscow
CoachTatiana Danchenko (Duet)
Tatyana Pokrovskaya (Team)

Ishchenko announced her retirement from sports in April 2017.[1] Since November 2017, she has served as Minister of Sports of Kaliningrad Oblast.[2]

Career

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Natalia Ishchenko (right) at a meeting of Russian 2012 Summer Olympics medalists with the Russian President on 16 August 2012

Natalia was a member of the Russian gold medal team in 2008, 2012 and 2016.[3] She also won gold in the women's duet[4] at the 2012[5] and 2016 Summer Olympics with Svetlana Romashina.[3]

Natalia took a break from the sport in 2013 after giving birth to her son. She returned in 2015, winning both the women's duet and team events at the European Synchro Cup in Haarlemmermeer, qualifying for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Королева оставила водное царство. Ищенко завершила карьеру
  2. ^ Наталья Ищенко: работаю в полную силу и всегда стремлюсь к большему
  3. ^ a b "Natalia Ishchenko Olympic Results". sports-reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  4. ^ "Russians resist pressure, claim fourth duets gold". Bangkok Post. 8 August 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  5. ^ Kozina, Anna (15 June 2012). "Interview with Natalia Ishchenko:Russia's synchronised swimming star aiming for London 2012 glory". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 January 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  6. ^ "Russian synchronized swimmers secure participation in the Rio Olympics". Russia beyond the headlines. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
Awards
Preceded by
First award
FINA Synchronized Swimmer of the Year
2010–2012
(Shared with Romashina in 2011)
Succeeded by