“Katinka Hosszú: The Indomitable Iron Lady of Swimming Bids Farewell to an Extraordinary Legacy”

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Katinka Hosszu, a three-time Olympic champion from Hungary, acknowledged her retirement from swimming.

Revered as the “Iron Lady” of the sport due to her challenging array of events, the 35-year-old Hosszu has participated in five Olympic Games. She was merely 15 years old when she made her Olympic introduction at the 2004 Athens Games.

Hosszu secured her three individual gold medals during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, triumphing in the 100-meter backstroke, along with her distinguished 200 and 400 individual medleys. She also earned a silver in the 200 backstroke.

Additionally, she has captured nine individual world championships in the long-course pool since 2009 and still maintains the world record for the long-course 200 individual medley. She claimed 17 golds in the world short course championships.

“For three decades, water has been my refuge, a haven where I found comfort and empowerment,” she shared in an Instagram update.

“From the instant I entered the pool as a young girl, I realized I had unearthed something extraordinary. The refreshing embrace of the water felt like returning home, a space where weight lost its influence, and each stroke drew me nearer to my aspirations.

“Now, reflecting on my journey, I am filled with profound satisfaction. Medals and records hold value, yet what lingers most is my everlasting passion for swimming.”

___

AP swimming:

Copyright
© 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This content may not be published, transmitted, written, or redistributed.