Michelle Konkoly (born February 20, 1992) is a Paralympic swimmer from Pennsylvania who trains in Naples, Florida. She earned four medals including two gold medals at the 2016 Summer Paralympics and three silver medals at the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships.[1][2]

Michelle Konkoly
Personal information
Born (1992-02-20) 20 February 1992 (age 32)
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, United States
Home townEagleville, Pennsylvania, United States
Sport
Country United States
SportParalympic swimming
DisabilitySpinal cord injury
Disability classS10
ClubGeorgetown Hoyas
Medal record
Paralympic swimming
Representing  United States
Paralympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2016 Rio de Janeiro 50m freestyle S9
Gold medal – first place 2016 Rio de Janeiro 100m freestyle S9
Silver medal – second place 2016 Rio de Janeiro 4x100m freestyle relay 34pts
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Rio de Janeiro 4x100m medley relay 34pts
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2015 Glasgow 50m freestyle S9
Silver medal – second place 2015 Glasgow 100m freestyle S9
Silver medal – second place 2015 Glasgow 4x100m freestyle relay 34pts

Injury edit

In January 2011, Konkoly had a serious spinal cord injury after she tried to open a window and accidentally fell out of a five-storey dorm window and landed onto a sidewalk below when she attended Georgetown University. She shattered her L2 vertebrae, broke some of her ribs and her right foot and damaged her spinal cord and had very limited movement below her waist. She had three major surgeries and six months of rehab and she relearned to walk however she has permanent weakness in her legs.[3][4]

References edit

  1. ^ "Michelle Konkoly - Team USA". Team USA. 1 May 2022. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022.
  2. ^ "Michelle Konkoly - 2014-2015 Swimming and Diving Roster". guhoyas.com. 1 May 2022.
  3. ^ "How I Became A Record-Breaking Swimmer". Bustle. 11 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Swimming: Naples' Michelle Konkoly, once paralyzed, pushing to qualify for 2016 Paralympic Games". Naples Daily News. 22 May 2016.