ISRAEL21c

Yakov-Yan Toumarkin is an Israeli swimmer on the rise.

Most recently the 20-year-old set a new Israeli long course 200-meter backstroke swimming record (1:58.21) at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai last July.

He was born in Moscow, moved to Israel when he was just one year old, and grew up in the city of Ashdod.

As a child Toumarkin played judo, basketball and swimming. A head injury from judo helped him concentrate his skills on swimming.

Toumarkin’s trophy haul includes two bronze medals at the 2012 European Championships, gold at the European Youth Swimming Championships, and Israeli record holder.