Key Highlights :
Swimming’s pop star Cody Simpson has paid a touching tribute to his mate, Queenslander Kai Edwards, who announced his retirement from the sport at just 24 years of age. Edwards made his debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and finished 12th in the 10km marathon, Australia’s best result in the event since Beijing 2008. But he will not return to the open water for Paris 2024 in just over a year’s time after falling out of love with competing at the top.
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Physical and mental health struggles after the Olympics prompted Edwards to take a long break from swimming but he fought back to make a comeback at the international level in 2022. He went public with his retirement decision after a cameo in the 50m pool at the Australian swimming championships last week.
“I have loved being apart of the Australian Dolphins swimming team and will cherish the opportunities, memories and friendships the sport has given me,” Edwards said. “Retiring was a difficult decision but the right one as my heart just isn’t in being a competitive swimmer any more. “I’ve been extremely blessed with the amount of support I’ve received from my friends, family and swimming Australia over the years. “I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved and cant wait to start the next chapter in my life. Let’s trot.”
Swimming’s pop star Cody Simpson led an outpouring of support for Edwards’ retirement with a touching message to his friend. “Such a pleasure getting to know you towards the end of your epic journey, glad I did mate,” he wrote. “Congrats on an awesome career. Just one chapter closing.” After Australia’s Olympic gold medallist Mack Horton commented a crown emoji, the love flowed from overseas as Olympic champions Michael Andrew and Gregorio Paltrinieri added their support.
“Congrats legend! Will miss you, but stoked for what’s next,” Andrew wrote. Paltrinieri, bronze medallist in Edwards’ race at Tokyo 2020, praised the Aussie as “still the best fighter (the) world of swimming has ever seen”.
Prior to the Olympics, Edwards competed at the 2019 world championships and finished 14th in the 10km and an impressive fifth in the 25km - a race that lasted nearly five hours. He last competed in his pet event at the LEN Open Water Cup in March, finishing 20th. Edwards has previously detailed how he struggled with his mental health after the Olympics and only returned to swimming after working on his wellbeing.
“Initially finishing third I was disappointed to be honest,” he wrote after a race in January. “On reflection 12 months ago I was 20 kilograms overweight, struggling physically and mentally. “We have come a long way in 10 months. We will continue to grow.”
While his swimming career has come to an end, Edwards’ competitive juices are flowing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. “Y’all got me obsessed for more,” he teased after a recent event.
Cody Simpson’s tribute to Kai Edwards serves as a reminder of the incredible journey the Queenslander has embarked upon and the impact he has had on the sport. Edwards’ retirement is a loss for the Australian swimming team, but his legacy will live on.