Sophia Herzog, Paralympic Medalist, Announces Retirement From Competitive Swimming

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Photo Courtesy: Team USA

U.S. Paralympic medalist Sophia Herzog has announced her retirement from competitive swimming.

The 25-year-old made the announcement on Monday on Instagram.

“All good things must come to an end! With a 10 year career, today I officially announce my retirement from professional swimming. From club swimming as an age grouper to representing my country at the highest athletic stage twice, it was truly an honor. I hang up my cap & goggles proud of what I accomplished in the sport of swimming as not only a female but as a dwarf. I look forward to closing this chapter and living with a bit less stress and learning to enjoy swimming in a recreational aspect,” Sophia Herzog wrote. “To the little girl who grew up with a dream and all odds against her, you freaking did it & accomplish much more than you ever dreamed!”

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A post shared by Sophia Gibb (Herzog) PLY (@sophiaherzog)

Herzog was a Paralympian in 2016 and 2020. In Tokyo in 2020, she earned the bronze medal in the 100-meter breaststroke. She also finished seventh in the 200 IM.

“Congratulations on an incredible career! So proud of you!,” fellow Paralympian Jessica Long wrote.

In 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, she won the silver medal in the 100 breaststroke and was sixth in the 200 IM.

At the 2022 World Championships, she again won the silver in the 100 breaststroke, also taking seventh in the 50 butterfly and ninth in the 50 free.

Sophia Herzog totaled six world championship medals in her career, spanning three separate world championship meets — 2017, 2019 and 2022. She was a gold medalist in 2017 in the 100 breaststroke and also won gold as part of the 2017 400 medley relay for the U.S. She also won a silver in the 200 IM in 2017, where she also won the bronze in the 100 free and 100 backstroke.

She has been on the national team since 2015.

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