The Paralympic Games have produced some of the most inspiring athletes the world has ever seen. These athletes have overcome immense challenges to compete and excel globally. Here’s a closer look at the 15 most decorated Paralympians, whose achievements and legacies extend well beyond their medal counts.
Trischa Zorn
Dominating the Paralympic swimming pools for two decades, Trischa Zorn is the most decorated Paralympian of all time. Blind from birth, Zorn’s remarkable career saw her amass 55 medals, including 41 golds, across seven Paralympic Games. Beyond the pool, she championed advocacy for the visually impaired, transforming countless lives.
Ragnhild Myklebust
Ragnhild Myklebust, a polio survivor, is the most successful winter Paralympian ever. She set a record that’s hard to beat, earning 22 gold medals in winter sports. With 27 medals, her legendary status in the winter Paralympics is unmatched. After her career, Myklebust, a former teacher, dedicated herself to coaching and inspiring youth.
Béatrice Hess
Known as the “Thorpedo of France,” Béatrice Hess’s performances in the water are legendary. She set new benchmarks with 20 gold and five silver medals and inspired countless athletes. Despite having cerebral palsy, Hess shattered nine world records at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics, becoming a beacon in Para swimming.
Tatyana McFadden
Tatyana McFadden is a powerhouse in Paralympic track and road racing. Born with spina bifida and later undergoing numerous surgeries, McFadden has overcome significant physical challenges to become a dominant force on the track. Her achievements include 20 Paralympic medals, 17 golds, and she has set multiple world records in wheelchair racing. Her story is a testament to her incredible resilience and competitive spirit.
Michael Edgson
Rising above visual impairment, Micheal stunned the world across three Paralympic Games from 1984 to 1992. Winning 21 medals, including 18 golds, and setting nine world titles, he became Canada’s most decorated Paralympic athlete. His exploits demonstrate outstanding talent and determination.
Sarah Storey
With a remarkable 17 gold medals and 28 total Paralympic medals, Storey is the most successful British Paralympian ever. Born without a functioning left hand, she transitioned from Para swimming to cycling in 2005. Dame Sarah Storey’s achievements include 29 world championships, 21 European titles, and 75 world records.
Jonas Jacobsson
Ruling the world of Paralympic shooting for more than 30 years, Jacobsson claimed 17 gold medals, including an unprecedented sweep of four events at the 2004 Athens Games. In 2008, he made history by becoming the first athlete with a disability to receive Sweden’s prestigious Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal.
Jessica Long
Abandoned in Russia and adopted by an American couple, Long’s rise to greatness is heartwarming. Both her legs were amputated at 18 months, yet she went on to win 29 Paralympic medals and set multiple world records. Her incredible story was immortalized in a 2021 Super Bowl ad.
Roberto Marson
After losing the use of his legs in a tragic accident, Marson became a Paralympic legend. He won 26 medals across four Games, including 16 golds. His 1968 Games performance earned him ten gold medals and a spot in the Visa Paralympic Hall of Fame, with a Jovian asteroid named in his honor.
Marcel Hug
Known as the “Swiss Silver Bullet,” Marcel Hug is a legendary figure in wheelchair racing. With an illustrious career spanning multiple Paralympic Games, Hug has secured 17 gold medals and set numerous world records. His dominance in track and marathon events showcases his exceptional athleticism and strategic prowess, making him a formidable competitor and an inspiration in the Paralympic community.
Erin Popovich
Erin Popovich, born with achondroplasia, is a celebrated American Paralympic swimmer. Erin has won 19 Paralympic medals, including 14 golds, across three Games. She is also a trendsetter with multiple world records, and for that, she has received numerous accolades: two ESPY Awards for Best Female Athlete with a Disability. She retired in 2010.
Heinz Frei
Frei’s illustrious career spans track, road racing, and winter sports. He’s a 15-time Paralympic gold medalist and world record holder in marathon wheelchair racing. The Swiss athlete competed from 1984 to 2020. career totals 35 medals—8 silver and 12 bronze—across athletics, cycling, cross-country sit-skiing, and biathlon.
Gerd Schoenfelder
After surviving a devastating train accident that led to multiple amputations, Schönfelder’s life completely flipped. On a delightful twist, his remarkable comeback included 16 gold medals across the Winter Paralympics, four each at Salt Lake 2002 and Vancouver 2010.
Mayumi Narita
Quadriplegic from a 1994 accident, Narita stunned the Paralympic world with 15 gold medals over three games, including a perfect 7-for-7 in 2004. She set 13 world and Paralympic titles, earned the 2005 Best Female Athlete award, and remains a leading figure in the Paralympic community.
Ihar Boki
Ihar Boki, a visually impaired Belarusian swimmer, has secured 16 gold medals across three Paralympic Games by age 26. Dominating the S13 class, he held world records in multiple events and was named World Disabled Male Swimmer of the Year in 2018. Boki’s future in the sport looks just as promising.
15 Paralympians with the Most Medals in History