SNZ Events
Epic Swim
High Performance
SNZ Events
Epic Swim
High Performance
MATT HUTCHINS RETIRES FROM COMPETITIVE SWIMMING
Rio Olympian Matt Hutchins has today informed Swimming New Zealand of his retirement from competitive swimming.
Hutchins, 23, released the following statement:
Today I have chosen to walk away from competitive swimming. Swimming has been the major part of my life since I was 13 years old and the idea that it will no longer take up every part of my life is new to me.
However, it has reached a point where I no longer find the joy in the early mornings and the overall grind of training and competition.
Swimming has given me the chance to meet so many great people from coaches to teammates to parents to just general fans of the sport, and I am truly grateful for the impact they have all had on my life.
Swimming has given me the chance to do so many things I never thought I would growing up. I have represented my country at the highest level, travelled to amazing locations around the world, and have had the opportunity to live in one of the coolest cities and represent the best schools for the past 4 years.
I won't lie and say that I have achieved everything I have wanted, or that I don't believe I have anything physically left to give. I would have loved to continue to represent my country at the highest level, however, I know my heart and my mind are not in the sport to where I can truly keep giving the effort required to make it another four years.
Being a swimmer will always be a huge part of me, and the memories and friendships I have made will stay with me for a life time.
Hutchins currently attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he swims for the Wisconsin Badgers. Hutchins will graduate in May.
Representing the Wharenui Swim Club in Christchurch, Hutchins is a national and age group record holder. At the 2017 NZ Open Championships he won four national titles in the 1500m, 800m and 400m freestyle and shared the 200m freestyle title with Matt Stanley after a dead head in the final.
Swimming New Zealand wishes Matt the best for the future.
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