‘The heart isn’t there’: Australia’s Kai Edwards announces retirement
Australian Olympic Open Water Swimmers Kai Edwards He announced his retirement this week, saying, “My heart is no longer a competitive swimmer.”
Edwards posted his decision on Instagram.
From his post:
I love being part of the Australian Dolphin Swim Team and will cherish the opportunities, memories and friendships the sport has given me. It was the right decision because I have no interest in being a competitive swimmer.I am immensely blessed with the much support I have received over the years from friends, family and Australian swimmers. can’t wait
Edwards, 24, is from Queensland and used to swim at the Carrill Swim Club. At the Tokyo Olympics she finished 12th in the 10km swim. He also represented Australia at the 2019 FINA World Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea where he finished 14th in 10k and 5th in 25k. He missed the 2022 World Championships.
Edwards has spoken sydney morning herald In January, he talked about his struggles after the Tokyo Olympics to gain motivation to get back on the water.
“I really struggled with my mental health after the Olympics,” Edwards told the newspaper. “When my coach Chris Nesbitt I moved to Carlisle, but by the time I got out of quarantine, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go back to swimming. As I straightened my head, the fire in my stomach returned more and more. I remember watching the Nationals, but they weren’t there. I thought, “I have to go next time.” It got me all excited.
Among the comments on his retirement post was this from the Olympic gold medalist Gregorio Partrinieri: “He’s the best fighter I’ve ever seen in the swimming world.” Edwards recently put his energy into fighting, as he posted about opening competitions in Brazilian martial arts, like jiu-jitsu. Dedicated. He called it “therapeutic” in an SMH interview.
