Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champ Lisa Adams announces retirement

Paralympic star Lisa Adams of New Zealand announced her retirement Tuesday (9 April). The 33-year-old, who began her career in para-athletics just six years ago at age 28, is the reigning Paralympic champion in F37 shot put.

“It has not been an easy decision to retire from athletics,” Adams said, according to NewsHub. “The sport has given me so much and many happy memories, but I just felt the passion and energy to keep training every day was no longer there.

“Some might wonder at the timing of my decision so close to the Para Athletics World Championships and with the Paralympic Games on the horizon, but I felt I had given it all I could.”

In addition to her Paralympic win, Adams struck gold at the 2019 Para Athletics World Championships in Dubai. Her Tokyo win includes a Paralympic record throw of 15.12m.

Adams, who is coached by her two-time Olympic gold medal winning sister Valerie Adams, underwent shoulder surgery late last year.

In retirement, she says she plans to focus on her family, including her 11-year-old son Hikairo.

“I look forward to spending more time as a mum,” said Adams.