Jana Kolukanova

Jana Kolukanova (born August 4, 1981) is a retired Estonian swimmer, who specialized in sprint freestyle events.[1] She is a two-time Olympian, multiple-times champion of Estonia and one of the top European sprinters of her generation.

Jana Kolukanova
Personal information
Full nameJana Kolukanova
National team Estonia
Born (1981-08-04) 4 August 1981
Tallinn, Estonia
Height1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight65 kg (143 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle
ClubKalevi Ujumiskool Tallinn
College teamAuburn University (U.S.)
CoachTiit-Urmas Reiter
David Marsh (U.S.)

Kolukanova made her Olympic debut as a 19-year-old at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney where she competed in the women's 50 m freestyle. She reached the semifinals by winning the swim-off against European champion Mette Jacobsen of Denmark and Ana Belén Palomo of Spain. She set a new Estonian record in two consecutive swims, first in the prelims (25.96) and then in the three-person swim-off a few hours later. Followed by an evening session, Kolukanova finished her semifinal run with a time of 26.03, just seven hundredths of a second (0.07) outside her record.[2]

After her performances in Sydney, Kolukanova was heavily recruited by U.S. universities and decided to attend Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama to swim for Auburn Tigers under head coach David Marsh. She studied psychology and graduated as a 19-time All-American, All-SEC selection, SEC Academic Honor Roll member as well as an Academic All-American. She also won 3 NCAA team championships while at Auburn.

Kolukanova qualified for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens by clearing a FINA standard entry time of 56.10 at the European Championships in Madrid, Spain. She competed in the women's 100 m freestyle[3][4] and challenged seven other swimmers in heat four, including her college teammate Eileen Coparropa of Panama. She finished three tenths of a second (0.30) behind Israel's Anna Gostomelsky in 57.45 and did not advance into the semifinals.[5][6]

At the 2005 FINA World Championships in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Kolukanova placed 8th in the 50 m freestyle (25.56), and 14th in the 100 m freestyle (55.81, a new Estonian record).[7][8] Earlier in the semifinals, she posted a time of 25.26 to reach the final in the 50 m freestyle, adding another Estonian record to her laundry list of accomplishments.[9]

Kolukanova qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, but did not compete due to injury.

Kolukanova was a regular participant on the FINA Swimming World Cup circuit throughout her career.

See also

References
  1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Jana Kolukanova". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  2. "Sydney 2000: Swimming – Women's 50m Freestyle Semifinal 1" (PDF). Sydney 2000. LA84 Foundation. p. 162. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  3. "Swimming – Women's 100m Freestyle Startlist (Heat 4)" (PDF). Athens 2004. Omega Timing. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  4. "2004 LEN European Aquatics Championships (Madrid, Spain) – Women's 100m Freestyle Heats" (PDF). Omega Timing. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  5. "Women's 100m Freestyle Heat 4". Athens 2004. BBC Sport. 18 August 2004. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  6. Thomas, Stephen (18 August 2004). "Women's 100 Freestyle Prelims, Day 5: Inky Leads the Pack with a Swift 54.43". Swimming World Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  7. "Coventry Wins Fourth Medal at World Championships". Auburn Tigers. 31 July 2005. Archived from the original on 13 January 2006. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  8. "2005 FINA World Championships (Montreal, Canada) – Women's 100m Freestyle Semifinals" (PDF). Omega Timing. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  9. "2005 FINA World Championships (Montreal, Canada) – Women's 50m Freestyle Semifinals" (PDF). Omega Timing. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
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