Darragh McDonald facts for kids
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| Nationality | Irish | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 13 June 1994 (age 31) Gorey, Ireland |
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| Height | 1.82 m | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 80 kg | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | University College Dublin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Swimming | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strokes | Freestyle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Asgard Swimming Club | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College team | University College Dublin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Darragh McDonald (born 13 June 1994) is a famous retired Irish swimmer. He became well-known for his amazing performances in the Paralympic Games. Darragh won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. Four years later, he achieved a gold medal at the 2012 London Paralympics. He also became a world champion in 2013.
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Darragh McDonald's Swimming Journey
Darragh McDonald was born on June 13, 1994. He grew up in Gorey, Ireland. From a young age, Darragh showed great talent in swimming. He trained hard and became a top athlete.
Early Paralympic Success
Darragh first competed in the Paralympic Games in 2008. This event took place in Beijing, China. He swam in the 400m Freestyle event. Darragh showed incredible skill and speed. He won a silver medal, which was a huge achievement. This made him one of Ireland's promising young swimmers.
London Gold and World Champion
In 2012, Darragh went to the Paralympic Games again. This time, the games were held in London. He competed in the 400m Freestyle event. Darragh swam his best race. He finished in first place, winning a gold medal! This was a dream come true for him.
The next year, in 2013, Darragh continued his success. He competed in the World Championships in Montreal. He once again won a gold medal in the 400m Freestyle. This made him a world champion.
Retirement from Competitive Swimming
Darragh McDonald decided to stop competitive swimming in October 2015. This decision came after some disagreements. He had challenges with the Irish Sports Council and Paralympics Ireland. Even though he retired, his achievements are still celebrated.
Life After Swimming
After his swimming career, Darragh focused on his education. He studied at University College Dublin. He earned a degree in commerce. After graduating, Darragh started a new career. He joined KPMG, a big company in Dublin. He began working there as a tax trainee.
