Who is Hunter ARMSTRONG

Hunter Armstrong is an American competitive swimmer. He was an Olympian in 2021 and a world champion medalist in the 100 and 50 backstrokes. In addition, he was the 2nd American to sub 24 seconds in the 50m reverse stroke and holds the current world record.

2019 SUMMER JUNIOR NATIONALS

Hunter Armstrong had a great 2019 Jr Nats. He won the 100 free (49.80), 50-free (22.57), and 100 back (54.91). The swim in the 100 free (49.80), 50 free (22.57), and 100 back (54.91) broke an earlier meet record set by Michael Andrew.

Hunter spoke with Hunter during the meet and admitted that he hadn’t been swimming year-round since. Instead, his primary motivation was to go on the Florida training trip that his team was taking.

COLLEGE

Armstrong graduated Dover High School in 2019 and moved to West Virginia, where his older brother Jake Armstrong was a two-time Big 12 Champion and NCAA All-American Honorable mention in the 100 breast. Both their parents were student-athletes at Ferrum College, Virginia.

2019-2020 (West Virginia)

Armstrong’s freshman season saw him post times of 19.78 for the 50 free (4th), 46.22 for the 100 back (3rd), and 42.91 for the 100 free (4th) at Big-12 Championships.

Armstrong declared he would transfer to Ohio State after his first season. This was close to Dover, Ohio.

2020-2021 (Ohio State)

Armstrong was a star at his first Big Ten Championships. Armstrong placed 4th in 50 free (19.19), 2nd in 100 back (45.50), and 3rd in 100 free (42.37). OSU’s 800 free relay (2nd), 400 back relay (3rd), 200 free relay (third), and 400 free relay (2nd).

Armstrong was 21st at the NCAA Championships in the 50 free (19.45) and 13th in the 100 back (45.48). Armstrong opted out from a third individual event and participated in all five Ohio State relays, including the 800 free (14th), 200 back (17th), 400 medley (3rd), 200 free (4th), 200 medley (4th), 400 free (12th), and 200 medley (4th).

2021-2022

Armstrong’s 2nd season as an Ohio State Buckeye saw him continue to improve in the pool. He won the Big Ten title at the 2022 Big Ten Champs in the 50-free (18.93) & 100-free (41.78), as well as being part of the 200, 400, and 200 medley relays from Ohio State. He was also 2nd in the 100 back (44.78) as part of OSU’s 400 medley relay.

Armstrong was 5th in 100 back (44.42) and 16th in 100 free (42.70) at the NCAA Championships.

2021 OLYMPIC TRIALS

After surprising everyone by entering the 100 back final as 2nd seed, Armstrong produced a stunning back half to secure seed and touch 2nd behind Ryan Murphy (52.48), qualifying for his first Olympic Team.

THE MAGIC MAN

Hunter started magic as a hobby. However, he is well-known for his skill at it, earning him the nickname “magicman.” He was able to use card tricks to present Team USA together with the four Olympic team captains at the 2021 Olympic training camp.

2020 OLYMPIC GAMES

Armstrong began his Games in the 100 back. He moved through prelims, tied with Ryosuke of Japan for 9th place in the semifinals at 53.21. This was .01 away from making the final.

Armstrong participated in the prelims for the 4×100 Medley Relay. He finished in 53.51 seconds to help the USA reach their final, where they won gold. Armstrong won his first Olympic medal with this performance.

2022 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TRIALS

Armstrong proved that his Olympic qualification wasn’t a fluke by placing 4th in the 100-free in 48.25.

The real fireworks were 2 nights later, in the 50 back. Armstrong broke the world record with the American prelim record of 24.01 seconds. Armstrong’s first national title was won by Buckeye, who touched first at 23.71. This shaved .09 from Kliment Kolesnikov’s previous mark.

Armstrong won the 100 back on Night 4. This was a great win in a competitive field that included another PB of 52.20. In addition, Armstrong tied for 5^th place with a PB of 22.00 at the 50-free.

2022 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Armstrong began his meet in Budapest with the 4×100 relay prelims. Then, he led off for Team USA in 48.34, helping them to secure lane 4 for their final. Armstrong would win his first gold medal at the world championships when the USA won gold in the final.

Armstrong participated in the 100-back final on day 3. He swam a solid back-half to touch at 51.98. This was good for bronze, and only .01 behind Ryan Murphy, his American teammate. Day 4 saw Armstrong compete in the final of the 400 mixed medley relay. Again, he won gold by leading in 52.14.

Day 7 saw Armstrong swim prelims, semis, and finals of the 50-back, placing 2nd behind Justin Ress. Day 8 was the last day of the meet. Armstrong performed backstroke duties in prelims for the 400 medley relay. Thus, he secured a spot for the US, where they would place 2nd. Hunter won a silver medal.

Hunter was 2nd in the 50-back final, behind Ress at first, but Ress was called for a DQ, and Armstrong was crowned the world champion. Armstrong won silver after the medal ceremony.

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