Alexandr Zhigálov

Alexander Yuryevich Zhigalov (; born 27 July 2001) is a Russian swimmer, specializing in breaststroke. He has been competing professionally since 2016. He is a world champion in short course swimming, as well as a world and European junior champion. His achievements include multiple titles and medals in Russian national competitions. He also holds the title of "Master of Sport of Russia, International Class".

Biography Alexander Zhigalov was born on July 27, 2001. He is a native of Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo Oblast, and trained in swimming at the local Children and Youth Sports School No. 3.

In 2016, he received the title of Master of Sports of Russia in swimming. In 2021, he competed in the 50, 100, and 200-meter breaststroke events at the European Aquatics Championships in Budapest. At the 2021 Russian Short Course Swimming Championships in Saint Petersburg, he won the 100-meter breaststroke and took silver in the 200-meter event. He also participated in the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Abu Dhabi, where, as part of the Russian team, he earned a bronze medal in the men's medley relay (participating only in the preliminary heat).

At the 2022 Russian Swimming Championships in Kazan, Zhigalov won bronze in the 200-meter breaststroke. Subsequently, he failed a doping test, resulting in a two-year suspension from competition by the Disciplinary Anti-Doping Committee of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency. During this period, he worked in various non-sports-related roles and established his own swimming school to continue his training.

Zhigalov returned to competitive swimming in July 2024, winning a bronze medal in the 100-meter breaststroke at the Russian Cup in Yekaterinburg. At the 2024 Russian Short Course Swimming Championships in Saint Petersburg, he secured a silver medal in the 200-meter event, finishing second to Kirill Prigoda. Meeting the qualification standard for the World Championships in Budapest, he competed under a neutral status and became a world champion as part of the mixed 4 × 100 m medley relay team.