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|
| Breeja
LARSON |
| Sport |
Swimming |
| NOC |
United States
|
| Gender | Women |
| Born | 16 Apr 1992
in Mesa, AZ, USA |
| Height | 1.83 m |
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Further Personal Information |
Higher education |
Psychology - Texas A&M University: College Station, TX, USA |
Sport Specific Information |
Why this sport? |
She did not enjoy swimming as a child, but her parents convinced her to try competing for the high school team. "I wanted to compete in sport in college and swimming was my best bet." |
When and where did you begin this sport? |
She took up the sport at age four and began swimming competitively at age 17. She also took part in gymnastics, volleyball, softball, and athletics track events throughout high school. |
General Interest |
Other information |
RETIREMENT
In June 2021 she announced her retirement from professional swimming. "This was not a decision I took lightly, but through a lot of introspective thought, consideration, and weighing of opportunities, I feel at peace with my decision. I stopped training as heavily in December [2020] and found that I am much more excited and driven by opportunities presenting themselves outside the pool. Of course there was a lot of heartache through the [COVID-19] pandemic that contributed to this path, but through therapy and help from many I have found my spark again. The people I have met, the skills I have developed, the places I have been, and the opportunities I will continue to create for myself prove to be the drive that gets me out of bed every morning. Swimming will continue to be a big part of my life, but now I have ambitions beyond the pool. The last nine years of competing at an elite level, I have found my passion for mentoring young athletes, giving motivational workshops for sports clubs and business corporations, and running swim technique clinics." (Facebook page, 04 Jun 2021)
MEDICAL SCARE
In 2011 tumours were discovered in her throat and she initially feared she had cancer. However, the tumours were found to be benign and she was able to begin a recovery process supported by her then coach Brad Hering, who himself had recovered from prostate cancer. In January 2015 she had surgery to remove a nodule on her thyroid, which left her with a significant scar. "I'm able to breathe a lot better in and out of the water. My quality of life has gone up a lot so I'm really thankful I was able to get it out. My hormone levels are fine because the other half [of the thyroid gland] is still there so I don't need to be on any medication." (azcentral.com, 16 Apr 2015, 04 Jul 2012)
FURTHER EDUCATION
She has studied for a master's degree in sports management at Texas A&M University in the United States of America. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Dec 2019)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
In 2014 she began working as a motivational speaker and Olympian mentor helping younger athletes. In December 2019 she set up her own motivational consultancy business called Breeja Larson LLC, which offers guidance to sports teams, groups, and individuals who desire to change their perspective and approach to life. (LinkedIn profile, 01 Dec 2019) |
Further Personal Information |
Languages |
English, Spanish |
General Interest |
Sporting philosophy / motto |
"Love what you do. Find the thing you're passionate about and stick with it." (evosportsqatar.com, 18 Oct 2016) |
Further Personal Information |
Occupation |
Motivational Speaker, Real Estate Agent |
General Interest |
Memorable sporting achievement |
Winning a gold medal in the 4x100m medley relay at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. (evosportsqatar.com, 18 Oct 2016) |
Famous relatives |
Her relatives Brad Larson and Becky Larson have represented Brigham Young University [BYU] in swimming. (Facebook profile, 29 Jun 2019; swimswam.com, 05 Apr 2018; eurohockey.com, 17 Jul 2016; 12thman.com, 2013) |
Awards and honours |
In 2013 while competing for Texas A&M University she was named the Southeastern Conference [SEC] Swimmer of the Year. (theeagle.com, 01 Mar 2013) |
Further Personal Information |
Residence |
Tempe, AZ, USA |
Olympic Games |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| 6 |
2012 |
London, ENG |
100m Breaststroke |
1:06.96 |
| 1 |
2012 |
London, ENG |
4 x 100m Medley Relay |
|
World Championships |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| Heats |
2015 |
Kazan, RUS |
200m Breaststroke |
2:26.38 |
| Semifinal |
2013 |
Barcelona, ESP |
200m Breaststroke |
2:26.22 |
| 5 |
2013 |
Barcelona, ESP |
100m Breaststroke |
1:06.74 |
| 4 |
2013 |
Barcelona, ESP |
50m Breaststroke |
29.95 |
| 1 |
2013 |
Barcelona, ESP |
4 x 100m Medley Relay |
|
World Cup |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| 2 |
2019 |
Singapore, SGP |
200m Breaststroke |
2:28.75 |
| 2 |
2019 |
Singapore, SGP |
100m Breaststroke |
1:07.55 |
| 2 |
2019 |
Singapore, SGP |
50m Breaststroke |
30.98 |
| 1 |
2019 |
Singapore, SGP |
4 x 100m Medley Relay |
3:52.17 |
| 4 |
2019 |
Singapore, SGP |
4 x 100m Freestyle Relay |
3:34.56 |
| 50 |
2017 |
|
Overall |
|
| 3 |
2017 |
Eindhoven, NED |
100m Breaststroke |
1:04.81 |
| 6 |
2016 |
Beijing, CHN |
100m Breaststroke |
1:06.54 |
| 3 |
2016 |
Beijing, CHN |
200m Breaststroke |
2:22.67 |
| 4 |
2016 |
Beijing, CHN |
50m Breaststroke |
30.62 |
| 5 |
2016 |
Berlin, GER |
100m Breaststroke |
1:05.59 |
| 4 |
2016 |
Berlin, GER |
50m Breaststroke |
30.41 |
| 3 |
2016 |
Berlin, GER |
200m Breaststroke |
2:23.13 |
| 2 |
2016 |
Berlin, GER |
4 x 50m Freestyle Relay |
1:33.11 |
| 5 |
2016 |
Doha, QAT |
100m Breaststroke |
1:05.63 |
| 4 |
2016 |
Doha, QAT |
50m Breaststroke |
30.33 |
| 3 |
2016 |
Doha, QAT |
200m Breaststroke |
2:19.32 |
| 5 |
2016 |
Dubai, UAE |
100m Breaststroke |
1:05.29 |
| 8 |
2016 |
Dubai, UAE |
50m Freestyle |
25.90 |
| 4 |
2016 |
Dubai, UAE |
50m Breaststroke |
30.29 |
| 3 |
2016 |
Dubai, UAE |
200m Breaststroke |
2:21.01 |
| 3 |
2016 |
Hong Kong, CHN |
100m Breaststroke |
1:04.15 |
| 4 |
2016 |
Hong Kong, CHN |
50m Breaststroke |
29.88 |
| 2 |
2016 |
Hong Kong, CHN |
200m Breaststroke |
2:17.99 |
| 8 |
2016 |
Moscow, RUS |
100m Individual Medley |
1:05.03 |
| 4 |
2016 |
Moscow, RUS |
200m Breaststroke |
2:21.03 |
| 3 |
2016 |
Moscow, RUS |
50m Breaststroke |
30.38 |
| 4 |
2016 |
Moscow, RUS |
100m Breaststroke |
1:05.70 |
| 2 |
2016 |
Moscow, RUS |
4 x 50m Medley Relay |
1:41.79 |
| 2 |
2016 |
Moscow, RUS |
4 x 50m Freestyle Relay |
1:33.71 |
| 6 |
2016 |
Paris, FRA |
100m Breaststroke |
1:06.25 |
| 4 |
2016 |
Paris, FRA |
4 x 50m Medley Relay |
1:42.57 |
| 4 |
2016 |
Singapore, SGP |
100m Breaststroke |
1:05.38 |
| 1 |
2016 |
Singapore, SGP |
200m Breaststroke |
2:18.95 |
| 4 |
2016 |
Singapore, SGP |
50m Breaststroke |
30.01 |
| 3 |
2016 |
Singapore, SGP |
4 x 50m Medley Relay |
1:43.64 |
| 3 |
2016 |
Singapore, SGP |
4 x 50m Freestyle Relay |
1:35.30 |
| 4 |
2016 |
Tokyo, JPN |
50m Breaststroke |
30.27 |
| 3 |
2016 |
Tokyo, JPN |
200m Breaststroke |
2:19.69 |
| 11 |
2014 |
|
Overall |
|
| 2 |
2014 |
Doha, QAT |
100m Breaststroke |
1:05.06 |
| 7 |
2014 |
Doha, QAT |
50m Freestyle |
26.02 |
| 2 |
2014 |
Doha, QAT |
50m Breaststroke |
29.87 |
| 1 |
2014 |
Doha, QAT |
200m Breaststroke |
2:20.71 |
| 2 |
2014 |
Dubai, UAE |
100m Breaststroke |
1:04.85 |
| 1 |
2014 |
Dubai, UAE |
200m Breaststroke |
2:20.02 |
| 2 |
2014 |
Dubai, UAE |
50m Breaststroke |
29.98 |
| 8 |
2014 |
Tokyo, JPN |
100m Breaststroke |
1:06.35 |
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