MIKHAIL Arkhangelskiy is ready to help lift Bahrain to the upper echelons of international swimming.
After tasting instant success on his national team debut at the fourth GCC Games in Doha, Qatar last month, the supremely talented 21-year-old is determined to raise the bar even further.
Arkhangelskiy won a sensational six medals, headlined by three gold, while he also set nine new national records at the time – four of which were also GCC records.
“It was an unforgettable experience and a proud moment for me at the GCC Games,” the Russian-born, long-course standout tells GulfWeekly.
“Representing Bahrain internationally gave me a strong sense of responsibility and motivation. Wearing the national colours and competing for the country was truly special.
“I was proud to contribute to Bahrain’s success, winning three gold medals and three bronze medals, and also achieving nine national records and four GCC records, which made the competition even more memorable.”
Arkhangelskiy got into swimming at a young age, first as a casual activity but quickly developing a passion for the sport. He was hooked once he started competing, and has strived to realise his limitless potential in the pool ever since.
“I enjoyed challenging myself and spending time in the water,” he recalls. “Swimming quickly became more than just a hobby – it became something I was passionate about and wanted to pursue seriously.
“At first, it was mainly for fun and to learn water safety, but over time I realised how much I enjoyed training, improving, and competing. The feeling of constantly progressing motivated me to continue.
“I loved the competitive side of the sport and the discipline that came with it. Competing allowed me to push my limits, set goals for myself, and learn valuable lessons about hard work, consistency, and resilience.”
Arkhangelskiy’s abilities helped lead him to being recruited for Bahrain’s national team, and he has grabbed the opportunity by the horns.
“It is great to be a part of a growing programme,” Arkhangelskiy explains. “From the beginning, I felt welcomed and supported, which made me proud to compete under the Bahraini flag.
“I think the swimming community in Bahrain is very supportive and ambitious. The facilities and the investment in the sport continue to improve, which creates a great environment for athletes to develop and perform at a high level.”
With the full backing of Bahrain Aquatics, Arkhangelskiy continues to be greatly motivated to step up his journey and excel on the grandest stage. Since the GCC Games, he has already broken a number of the Bahraini records he had set at the Qatari capital.
“Swimming means a lot to me,” he says. “It has shaped who I am as a person by teaching me discipline, patience, confidence, and perseverance.
“It’s not just a sport – it’s a lifestyle and a passion that continues to inspire me every day.
“I enjoy the process of improving every day, whether it’s physically or mentally. Representing something bigger than myself is also a huge source of motivation.”
Looking ahead towards a bright future with Bahrain, Arkhangelskiy is eager to continue making his mark in the water.
“My short-term goals are to continue improving my performances, achieving new personal bests, and gaining more international experience,” he shares. “Long-term, I want to compete at the highest-possible level, represent Bahrain proudly on the international stage, and continue making history for the country in swimming.”
Aside from competition, Arkhangelskiy is also hopeful of making a lasting influence with the kingdom’s aquatics community. 
“I want to inspire young athletes, help grow swimming in Bahrain, and leave a positive impact on the sport for future generations,” he says.
AT A GLANCE: ARKHANGELSKIY 
AT THE FOURTH GCC GAMES
MEDALS
Gold: Men’s 50m butterfly, men’s 50m backstroke, men’s 100m butterfly
Bronze: Men’s 50m freestyle, men’s 4x100m freestyle relay, men’s 4x200m freestyle relay
NATIONAL RECORDS
(All long-course marks; *also a GCC record)
l Men’s 50m backstroke: 25.47s*
l Men’s 100m backstroke (part of men’s 4x100m medley relay team): 55.50s
l Men’s 50m freestyle: 22.85 seconds
l Men’s 100m freestyle: 49.91s
l Men’s 50m butterfly: 23.80s*
l Men’s 100m butterfly 53.29s*
l Men’s 4x100m freestyle relay (with teammates Robert Bonsall, Abdulla Jamal, Ahmed Helal): three minutes 29.62 seconds
l Men’s 4x100m medley relay (with teammates Robert Bonsall, Saud Ghali, Abdulla Khaled): 4:02.11
l Men’s 4x200m freestyle relay (with teammates Robert Bonsall, Ahmed Suhail, Sayed Ahmed Alawi): 7:49.07
(NB: Since the GCC Games, Arkhangelskiy has set new national records in the 50m butterfly of 23.52s and the 100m butterfly of 52.72s)