Emma McKeon becomes the most decorated female swimmer of all time

Emma McKeon made history as she won 7 medals🥇 in a single Olympics. She became the first female swimmer to win 7 medals at a single Olympics, one short of Michael Phelps' all-time record of 8 medals.  

Who is Emma McKeon?

Born in Wollongong, Australia, Emma McKeon is a 27-year competitive swimmer. This summer, McKeon made history as she won her 11th Olympic Medal, this feat made her the most decorated Australian Olympian of all time. 

Out of these 11 medals, 5 are gold, 4 of which she won in the Tokyo Olympics, 1 of her gold medals dates back to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Emma McKeon also holds a bachelor’s degree in public health and health promotion from Griffith University. 

Emma McKeon: Career Achievements

McKeon made a statement in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games as she won 4 gold medals in the event. She won her first World Championship in 2015, where she bagged gold in the 4x100m freestyle event. 

The Australian made an appearance in the 2016 Rio Olympics where she won her first Olympic Gold in the 4x100m freestyle event. She also won 2 silvers and 1 bronze in the 2016 Olympics. Even though this was an impressive Olympics performance, it was far from her best. 

In the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Emma McKeon won 7 total medals for Australia. Out of the 7 medals, 4 were gold medals and the rest were bronze.

Emma McKeon Medals Tally at Tokyo Olympics

With such a performance in the Olympics, Emma McKeon became only the 2nd woman in the history of the Olympics to win 7 medals. The last time this was done was in 1952 by Maria Gorokhovskaya. This also made her the most decorated swimmer in the Tokyo Olympics.

Emma McKeon’s Career Highlights

🏊 McKeon set the Olympics Record for the Women’s 100m Freestyle, completing in 51.96 seconds.

🏊 The Australian swimmer also managed to set the Olympics Record in 50m Freestyle, completing in 23.81 seconds.

🏊 The 27-year-old became the first female swimmer of any nationality to have won 7 medals at a singly Games.

🏊 McKeon became the most decorated Australian Olympian topping Ian Thorpe and Leisel Jones.

🏊 Emma McKeon went from not being selected to participate in the 2012 London Olympics to be one of the most decorated Olympian swimmers of all time.

🏊 After the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, McKeon joins the elite company of Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz, and Matt Biondi as the only swimmers to have won 7 medals in one Game. 

“It still feels very surreal,” McKeon said after creating history. “It’s going to take a little bit to sink in. I’m very proud of myself.”

We hope that McKeon will continue making history throughout her career. She has already placed herself amongst the greats, now she only gets to make it even better.