Anna Hontar
Ukrainian Paralympic swimmer
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Anna Vladyslavivna Hontar (born 9 September 2003 in Kherson, Ukraine) is a Ukrainian Paralympic swimmer who competes in the S6 classification. She has represented Ukraine at multiple Paralympic Games and World Para Swimming Championships, winning medals and setting a world record in freestyle events.[1]
Early life
After starting to swim at the age of five, Hontar made her debut for Ukraine at the 2018 European Championships in Dublin, Ireland, marking the beginning of her professional career. Under the guidance of her personal coach, Mykola Ilin, she has developed her skills and achieved significant milestones since 2015.[2]
Career
Early career (2018-2019)
In 2018, Hontar made her international breakthrough at the World Para Swimming European Championships in Dublin. Competing in S7 classification events, she won a gold medal in the women's 200 metre individual medley SM7 event, a silver medal in the women's 100 metre backstroke S7 event, and two bronze medals in the women's 50 metre freestyle S7 event and the women's 100 metre freestyle S7 event.[3][4] [5] [6]
In 2019, Hontar continued competing at senior international level and won a bronze medal in the mixed 4×50 metre medley relay 20 points event at the World Para Swimming Championships.[7]
These results between 2018 and 2019 marked her first major successes and her transition into a consistent international competitor and formed the beginning of her professional swimming career.
2020–2022
Hontar made her Paralympic debut at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, winning the bronze medal in the women's 50 metre freestyle S6 event.[8][9] She also competed in the women's 100 metre freestyle S6 event, where she did not reach the podium. This medal marked her first Paralympic medal and established her as a Paralympic medalist at international level.
At the 2020 World Para Swimming European Championships in Madeira, Hontar competed in S7 classification events and won four medals. She won a gold medal in the women's 100 metre backstroke S7 event,[10] a silver medal in the women's 200 metre individual medley SM7 event,[11] and two bronze medals in the women's 50 metre freestyle S7 and 100 metre freestyle S7 events.[12][13] These results made her one of the most successful swimmers of the championships.[14]
At the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships in Madeira, Hontar competed in S6 classification events and achieved further international success. She won the gold medal in the women's 50 metre freestyle S6 event and a silver medal in the women's 100 metre backstroke S6 event.[15] In addition, she won a second silver medal in the women's 100 metre freestyle S6 event, bringing her total to three medals at the championships.[16]
2023
At the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester, Hontar competed in S6 classification events and achieved one of the most successful performances of her career. She won the gold medal in the women's 50 metre freestyle S6 event and set a world record of 32.55 seconds, finishing ahead of China's Jiang Yuyan.[17][18]
In addition, she won two silver medals in the women's 100 metre freestyle S6 event and the mixed 4×50 metre medley relay 20 points event. She also secured three bronze medals in the women's 100 metre backstroke SB5 event, the women's 100 metre backstroke S6 event, and the mixed 4×50 metre freestyle relay 20 points event.[19]
At the 2023 Para Swimming World Series circuit, Hontar also competed at the Limoges meet, where she won a silver medal in the women's 100 metre breaststroke (youth), a gold medal in the women's 50 metre butterfly (youth), and bronze medals in the women's 50 metre butterfly events, including the A-final.[20][21]
These results made 2023 one of the most successful years of her career, highlighted by a world record and multiple international medals across major competitions, further establishing her among the leading swimmers in her classification.
2024–2025
At the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, Hontar competed in S6 classification events and won the bronze medal in the women's 50 metre freestyle S6 event.[22][23] This marked her third Paralympic medal, confirming her consistent performances at the highest level.
She also competed in the women's 100 metre breaststroke SB5 event and the mixed 4×50 metre medley relay 20 points event, where she won bronze medals in both competitions.[24]
At the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore, Hontar achieved one of the strongest performances of her career. She won two gold medals in the women's 50 metre freestyle S6 and the mixed 4×50 metre freestyle relay 20 points events. She also won a silver medal in the women's 100 metre freestyle S6 event and the women's 100 metre breaststroke S6 event, as well as a bronze medal in the women's 100 metre backstroke S6 event.[25]
These results further established Hontar as one of the leading para swimmers in her classification internationally.
Honours and awards
Personal life
Outside of competition, Hontar is involved in sport-related youth and development initiatives. She is a member of the CYPE Academy, where she is engaged in projects focused on promoting inclusion in sport and supporting children’s participation in athletic activities.[26][27]
She has also been involved in broader initiatives aimed at supporting young athletes and increasing accessibility to sport for children.