Olympic swim champ Balandin may quit after Asian Games

Kazakhstan's Dmitriy Balandin, who two years ago won his country's first-ever Olympic swimming gold medal, said Wednesday he will consider retiring after the Asian Games.

The 23-year-old became a national hero in the former Soviet state after a stunning victory in the 200 metres breaststroke in Rio.

But he suffered an almighty Olympic hangover and admits he is struggling to motivate himself after a miserable run of form and niggling injuries.

"I think maybe I'm going to finish my swimming career," Balandin told AFP after placing second in his 100m heat and qualifying second overall for Wednesday's final in Jakarta.

"I won everything I wanted in swimming -- I just don't find new motivation for swimming.

"For my country I'm a hero, so many people know my face and it's great," added the beefy Kazakh, who withdrew from Tuesday's 200m breaststroke with a sore ankle.

"But I've had some trouble with my health, I fractured the ankle -- it's been so bad. After the injury, for three or four weeks I didn't come to the swimming pool."
- Rich sporting history -
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"Maybe how (swimmers) are coached, how managed."
Asked if the Asian Games would be his last competitive meet, Balandin shrugged: "Maybe last -- I need some time, maybe a holiday to think what I'll do in the future."