MICHAEL PHELPS - 27 YEARS
Michael Phelps is an American former Olympic swimmer. Throughout his career he won 28 Olympic medals, being the most awarded athlete. Not only that, but 23 of those 28 medals are gold medals, making him the record holder for the most Olympic gold medals. When rumors of his retirement began, there was talk that it was due to a lack of motivation. However, after some time it was discovered that he was going through a deep depression.
MARTINA HINGIS - 22 YEARS
Martina Hingis is a Swedish former tennis player. Her retirement case is somewhat peculiar, as she went through several stages. In 2002, after several serious injuries, Hingis announced her retirement, which would be provisional. In 2006 she returned to competition, but this time only lasted a year because in 2007 she tested positive for cocaine and was suspended for two years. It was in 2013 when she returned again, to finally retire permanently in 2017. Among his awards are 5 Grand Slams.
KUDRYAVTSEVA - 19 YEARS
Yana Kudryavtseva is a former Russian gymnast who has been three times world champion in the discipline of rhythmic gymnastics, second only to Dina Averina (4). In her last competition, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, she finished runner-up. But that same year, faced with a broken leg, Kudryavtseva announced her retirement at the age of 19, the "most difficult decision" of her short life.
ASHLEIGH BARTY - 25 YEARS OLD
Ashleigh Barty, the former Australian professional tennis player, has no more dreams to fulfill and is tired. These are the reasons she gave when she announced her retirement on March 22, 2022 at the age of 25. It was a decision that surprised the spectators, not only because of her young age but also because of the good sporting moment in which she was, being number 1. Her dream was to win Wimbledon and so she did, retiring with 3 Grand Slams.
CASEY STONER - 27 YEARS
Casey Stoner is a former Australian motorcycle racer and two-time world champion in the top class, MotoGP. The first of these he won in 2007 with Ducati, while the second was with Honda. His race number used to be 27 but Stoner had a hobby: the year after winning a title he always liked to wear the number 1. It was at the age of 27 when he decided to retire, as he wanted to dedicate his time and life to his family. It is true that some time later he confessed that the young promise of that time, Marc Márquez, also influenced his decision.
LORENA OCHOA - 28 YEARS
Lorena Ochoa is a former professional golfer who became number 1 in the world. She managed to achieve 27 victories in the largest competitive golf league, the LPGA Tour, thus being considered as the best Mexican golfer in history. In addition to being a golfer, in 2009 Ochoa created a foundation to raise money for needy children. It was one year later, in 2010, when she announced her sudden retirement, catching even her own teammates by surprise.
IAN THORPE - 24 YEARS
Ian James Thorpe is a former Australian swimmer and winner of 5 Olympic gold medals, the only Australian swimmer to do so. In addition to this record, he is the only one to win 6 gold medals in the same world championship. After the Athens Olympic Games (2004), Thorpe decided to take a year off in order to prepare for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, his native country. However, after falling ill, he was unable to participate. He stopped training and it was the following year, in 2006, when he announced his retirement at the age of 24, citing a lack of motivation.
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