Petar Stoychev

Petar Stoychev in Copenhagen in 2009

Petar Stoychev (international Petar Stoychev written, Bulgarian Петър Стойчев; born October 24, 1976 in Momchilgrad ) is a Bulgarian swimmers and winner of the gold medal in the 25 km open water swimming at the World Swimming Championships 2011 in Shanghai and in the open water European Championships 2012 in Piombino. Since March 13, 2013 he is Minister of Sport and Sport Education in the government of Marin Rajkow.

On August 24, 2007 Stoychev could beat the 2005 by the German swimmer Christof wall ratchet established world record for crossing the English Channel and found by 6 h 57 m 50 s, a new record time. He thus became the first person able to cross the English Channel swimming under 7 hours.