World record holder and American backstroke swimmer Hunter Armstrong chatted about his latest endeavors.
American track and field legend Jesse Owens once said: “We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” Hunter Armstrong is an individual and swimmer that fits this wise quote by the late four-time Olympic gold medalist.
Five medals at the 2022 World Championships
Armstrong won a total of five medals for Team USA at the 2022 FINA World Championships in Budapest. These include gold medals in the men’s 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay and the 4 x 100 meter mixed medley relay, as well as a silver in the men’s 50 meter backstroke, and a silver in the men’s 4 x 100 meter medley relay, as well as a bronze in the men’s 100 meter backstroke. “This was far better of a meet than I had expected,” he admitted. “It went a lot better than the Tokyo Olympics for sure.”
“It was an honor to represent the United States, and to do a better job than I did at Tokyo felt like redemption,” he said.
When he earned the bronze medal in the men’s 100 meter backstroke, he did it in under 52 seconds (with a time of 51.98 seconds). “I knew I was capable of getting sub-52, I just didn’t think it would happen at that meet,” he said.
Armstrong holds the world record in the men’s 50 meter backstroke race with a time of 23.71 seconds. “That was just so much adrenaline. I hardly slept all that night,” he said. “That was a great night.”
At the World Championships, Armstrong exhibited tremendous sportsmanship when Justin Ress‘ disqualification was overturned, and Ress was reinstated his gold medal in the men’s 50 meter backstroke final. “Justin is a cool guy, I like him,” he said.
He is thrilled to be signed to the Olympus Sports Group. “Honestly, it’s a match made in heaven,” he said and he praised them for being a great team of people.
Armstrong revealed that he will be training partners with fellow Olympian Ryan Murphy at the University of Cal, Berkeley. “Ryan Murphy has been an incredible help to me,” he said.
On his favorite stroke in swimming, he said, “I honestly really enjoy the butterfly but I never get an opportunity to swim it since it’s a competitive field.” “I would consider myself a freestyler that can do backstroke,” he said.
Aside from being a swimmer, he is a magician in his own right. “Once I get housing situated in California, I am going to make an effort to get back into magic,” he said.
Regarding the title of the current chapter of his life, Armstrong revealed, “Out West.”
Rapid Fire Questions
Armstrong also took some time to answer a few “Rapid Fire” questions.
Waffles or pancakes? Pancakes
Flying or driving? Flying
City living or country living? Country living
Summer or winter? Winter
Library or museum? Museum
Bath or shower? Shower, though baths are more relaxing
Pepsi or Coke? Coke
Texting or calling? Texting
Half-full or half-empty? Half-empty honestly
Curly fries or normal fries? Curly fries
Skydiving or scuba diving? Skydiving
Indoor pool or outdoor pool? Outdoor pool
Tea or coffee? Tea
Rain or snow? Snow
Singing or dancing? Both but I am a lot better at singing
Burgers or tacos? Burgers
Long course or short course? Long course
Money or fame? Fame
For his fans and supporters, Armstrong said, “I do have a great fan base. I have a great community that supports me and loves me. Thank you to everybody who keeps following along. Hopefully, we will have a lot more fun coming along.”
To learn more about Olympic gold medalist and world champion swimmer Hunter Armstrong, follow him on Instagram and on Twitter.
