Triple Olympic Champion Katinka Hosszu Retires With 97 Medals & A World Record Still Intact After Stellar Career
Three-time Olympic champion Katinka Hosszu has announced her retirement after a career that saw her claim 97 international medals across 18 years, a record haul for a European swimmer.
The Hungarian reached her first senior international podium when she won 400IM bronze at the 2004 European Short-Course Championships in Vienna, months after making her debut at Athens 2004, the first of five Olympics.
Hosszu’s final trip to the rostrum came in 2022 when she was part of the Hungarian 4×200 free relay that claimed bronze at the Europeans in Rome.
She leaves the pool with her 200IM world record of 2:06.12 intact, nine and a half years after she took 0.03 from Ariana Kukors‘ super-suited mark at the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
Katinka Hosszu: Photo Courtesy: Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto
Hosszu is the second-fastest woman all-time in the long medley with a time of 4:26.36 en-route to gold in Rio when she sliced a whopping 2.07secs off Ye Shiwen’s previous standard of 4:28.43 from the 2012 Olympics in London. Hosszu’s record stood until April 2023 when Summer McIntosh lowered it to 4:25.87, a time the Canadian blitzed in 4:24.38 at the 2024 Olympic trials. The pair are the only women to go inside 4:28.
The 35-year-old amassed 97 medals including three Olympic golds in the 200 and 400IM and 100 back as well as taking silver in the 200 back at Rio 2016.
She also won nine world long-course titles including four straight IM doubles and she became the first woman to win five world titles in the same event with victory in the 400IM at Gwangju 2019, eight years after her first crown in the eight-length event in Shanghai. Hosszu also claimed one silver in the 200 back at Budapest 2017 and five world bronzes.
Hosszu made 25 visits to the European podium with 15 golds, six silvers and four bronze medals to rank third all-time behind Sarah Sjöström (28) and Alexander Popov (27).
She competed in 10 long-course Europeans between 2006 and 2022, a record which was eclipsed by friend and fellow Hungarian Zsuzsanna Jakabos whose appearance at Belgrade 2024 was her 11th. Hosszu’s winning streak in the 200IM at five straight Europeans between 2010 and 2018 is a continental record for most consecutive victories in the same event.
Hosszu remains European record-holder in the 200 and 400IM as well as the 200 fly, going 2:04.27 in the semis of the 2009 worlds before finishing third in the final.
She enjoyed great success in the short-course pool with 17 titles among 27 medals on the world stage and 20 golds among 26 honours in European waters, an all-time continental record.
She holds the European s/c records in the 100 and 200 back and 100 and 200IM.
Hosszu won the 200IM at eight consecutive long-course majors between 2013 and 2019, enjoying an incredible 67-race winning streak at FINA (now World Aquatics) and LEN (European Aquatics) events – including World Cups – during those years.
In a post on social media, Hosszu said: “I am announcing my retirement.
“As I progressed in my swimming career I went from being a curious child to one of the most accomplished female swimmers ever. Each race I’ve won was not only a testament to my hard work and dedication but also a reflection of the countless hours of training, the sacrifices made, and the unwavering support of my family and coaches. I will never forget the thrill of the race—my adrenaline, as I stood on the starting stone, the world faded away, only the sound of my heartbeat and the promise of the race remained.
“I have learned valuable lessons throughout my career that went far beyond sports. Swimming taught me perseverance in the face of difficulties, the importance of discipline, and the beauty of teamwork. I have made lifelong friendships, we have laughed and cried together, I have experienced the joy of victories and the lessons of defeats. Each competition was a new chapter, an opportunity to push my limits and discover the depths of my potential.
“As I reflect on my career, I feel a lot of fulfillment. Medals and records are valuable, but what has stayed at the bottom is my undying love for swimming. Even after I hung up the race suit, the water is still calling. I still find a lot of joy in the crash of car tempo, the soft splashes and the peaceful solitude just below the surface.”
Tributes Paid To The ‘Iron Lady’
Sjöström said: “All the best with your new chapter! Thank you for all you have done for swimming. Enjoyed all of moments together in and out of the pool 🩷”
Fellow Hungarians Daniel Gyurta – the 2012 200 breaststroke champion – and Evelyn Verraszto – European relay medallist alongside Hosszu – also paid tribute.
Franzisca van Almsick competed in her fourth and final Olympics as Hosszu made her debut at Athens 2004. The German said: “Thanks „iron lady“ for being such a great athlete in our sport🙏welcome in the family& normal life club- you will rock it- all the best for you and your family….🙏🙏”
Bruno Fratus, Olympic and world 50 free medallist, added: “We’re all so privileged to have had the opportunity of watching you make history Katinka. And maybe you don’t know that, but you had major influence on my success and I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one.”
Sándor Wladár, president of the Hungarian Swimming Federation and 200 back champion at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, paid tribute to Hosszu.
“Hours ago we witnessed an extraordinary moment: an era is over. Katinka Hosszu, one of the greatest athletes in Hungary, the legend of Hungarian swimming, decided to end her career as an active competitor. However, this farewell should not be about sadness but rather the ending of a glorious career that will never be forgotten.
“Katinka Hosszu’s name means dedication, perseverance, passion and the ability for constant renewal. She’s the athlete who inspired generations, not only at home but around the world. With his tireless work and unwavering faith, he proved that the impossible doesn’t exist.
“She enriched our country and the world’s swimming sport with ninety-seven medals won at the Olympics, World and European Championships and so many world records. Her nickname, Iron Lady, was not only her amazing physical strength, but also her mental stability, concentration and will to fight, which she testified in every competition.
“Katinka Hosszú in the pool became an example for many. She was more than just an outstanding swimmer: she was also an innovator. She showed that persistent work and professional approach can lift human performance to a new dimension. She had her own path because she believed in herself and her successes clearly confirmed what we always knew: Katinka Hosszú is a unique talent and extraordinary personality.
“Sweet Katinka! Thank you for the moments full of laughter that we could live with you, the unforgettable giggles, the smiling glances you sent from the podium, mostly from the top.
“On behalf of the Hungarian Swimming Association, I wish you much happiness, success and satisfaction in whatever you have planned for your life.
“With respect and thanks, on behalf of the Hungarian swimming family. Wladar Sandor.”