Kirill Prigoda, a renowned polytechnic, assistant at the Higher School of Sports Education at SPbPU, enjoyed triumph at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. He won gold in the combined mixed relay 4×100 meters. Prior to that, he secured a silver medal in the individual event for the 50-meter breaststroke.

The World Championships took place in Singapore from July 11 to August 3. On July 30, Kirill Prigoda, Miron Lifintsev, Daria Klepikova, and Daria Trofimova finished first in the combined relay. The team not only achieved a confident victory in the final but also set a new world championship record of 3:37.37. This victory is historic — prior to this, Russian swimmers had not won a relay at major international tournaments for 22 years. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the swimmers on their relay victory. “Dear Daria Vasilyevna, Daria Sergeevna, Kirill Gennadyevich, and Miron Alexandrovich! I congratulate you on winning gold at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. In the combined mixed relay—one of the most challenging and prestigious disciplines—you performed as a strong, united team. In the intense final competition, you demonstrated a winning pace and outran all your opponents. Mastery, camaraderie, endurance, and spirit have helped you become champions and showcase the high level of the Russian swimming training system. I wish you and your coaches continued success and all the best,” reads the telegram from the President.

“The emotions are very pleasant because the team gave their all—110%. The guys did great,” Kirill Prigoda said in an interview with Match TV.

Less than an hour before the team victory, Kirill Prigoda earned the title of vice-champion in the 50-meter breaststroke. In the final swim, he recorded a time of 26.62 seconds. This medal became the 11th for the Russians and the first personal award for Russian swimmers at the current championship. “We are proud of Kirill and once again affirm that the Polytechnic helps develop abilities and talents in science, creativity, and sports!” noted the rector of SPbPU, Andrey Rudskoy.

Kirill Prigoda is an eight-time world champion. Additionally, he is a four-time medalist at the world championships, a two-time European champion, and a silver and bronze medalist at the European Championships in short course. He currently holds three world records.