Shai Livnat

Shai Livnat was born in 1984 in Haifa

Shai Livnat was born in Haifa in 1984 and grew up there. His father, Uzi, was commander of Shayetet 13. He swam for the Maccabi Haifa swimming team and later trained at the center for gifted athletes at Wingate under coach Leonid Kaufman.

In 2002 he became Israeli champion in the 200m freestyle. In 2003 he set new Israeli records in the 200m and 400m freestyle and competed at the World Championships in Barcelona. In 2004 he lowered both records again in Vienna, but he did not reach the qualifying standard for the Olympics.

At the 17th Maccabiah in 2005 he won gold in the 200m freestyle with a Maccabiah record, plus 2 silver medals. That year he also swam at the World Championships in Melbourne. In 2006 he placed 15th in the 200m freestyle at the European Championships in Budapest.