Richard Funk

Biography

The breaststroke specialist Richard Funk won three medals at the Pan American Games in Toronto: silver in the 200m, bronze in the 100m and bronze in the 4x100m medley. A few weeks later, he went to the semifinals of the 100m breaststroke at the FINA World Championships. Richard enters the senior national team in 2013 after winning the title in the 100 breaststroke at the Canadian trials. He also showed great sportsmanship in this event, by refusing to face Ashton Baumann in the 200 breaststroke, which enabled the latter to also win him a place in the team . That year, Richard participated in the Universiade, where he swam in both finals, and the FINA World Junior Championships. A year later he was crowned champion of the three breaststroke events (50 m, 100 m, 200 m) to the Canadian trials for a place in the 2014 team for the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships. He participated in the final two individual events in Glasgow, just missing the podium in the relay 4x100m medley. He also played two finals in the individual events of the Pan Pacific Championships. Competing in college for the University of Michigan, Richard helped the Wolverines to win the title of champions of the NCAA in 2013 and was named All-American athlete in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He was also crowned champion Big Ten conference seven times.

ABOUT THE ATHLETE

Family: His parents are called Ron and Rita Funk. He has an older sister, Adrienne. Debut  : He was introduced to swimming at the age of 8 years, following in the footsteps of her sister. His Olympic dream was born when he was walking in Vancouver at the Winter Olympics in 2010. It is 16 years that he chose to focus on swimming, after reaching the AAA level hockey. in addition to swimming: He received a BSc in neuroscience from the University of Michigan in 2015. His academic performance was rewarded twice. He volunteers at Children’s Hospital CS Mott. He plans to enroll in medical school after his swimming career. He enjoys playing golf. He collects the accreditation of competitions in which he participates.

INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

Pan American Games: 2015 – SILVER (200m breaststroke), BRONZE (100m breaststroke), BRONZE (4×100 m medley)

Commonwealth Games: 2014 – 6 ^th (100 breaststroke), 8 ^th (50m breaststroke), 10 ^th (200 breaststroke), 4 ^th  (4×100 m medley)

FINA World Championships: 2015 – 15 ^th (100 breaststroke), 27 ^th (200 breaststroke), 13 ^th (4x100m medley); 2013 – 22 ^th (100 breaststroke), 22 ^th  (50 m breaststroke) , 15 ^th (4×100 m medley)

Pan Pacific Championships: 2014 – 5 ^th (100 breaststroke), 6 ^th (200 breaststroke), 5 ^th (4×100 m medley)