John Frederick Hencken (born May 29, 1954) is an American former competition swimmer, three-time Olympic champion, and former world record-holder. Hencken won five Olympic medals during his career, including three golds.
![]() Hencken circa 1974 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | John Frederick Hencken | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National team | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | (1954-05-29) May 29, 1954 (age 68) Culver City, California, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | Swimming | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Strokes | Breaststroke | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club | Santa Clara Swim Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
College team | Stanford University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, he won a gold medal in the 200-meter breaststroke and a bronze medal in the 100-meter breaststroke. Four years later at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada, Hencken won gold medals in the 100-meter breaststroke and 4×100-meter medley relay, and a silver in the 200-meter breaststroke.[1]
During his career Hencken set 21 American and 13 world records. He graduated from Stanford in general engineering and product design, and completed his MBA at the University of Phoenix.[2]
1972 graduate of Cupertino High School, Cupertino, CA
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1972 USA Olympic swimming team | ||
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Women's team |
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1976 USA Olympic swimming team | ||
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Women's Team |
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1980 USA Olympic swimming team | ||
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World long-course champions in men's 100 m breaststroke | |
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NCAA Champions in Men's 100 y Breaststroke | |
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NCAA Champions in Men's 200 y Breaststroke | |
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