American swimmer, Lia Thomas, is the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division.
Lia grew up in Austin, Texas. She picked interest in the sport at an early age and began practising at age 5.
While in Westlake High School. she participated in the state high school swimming championships and emerged 6th overall.
She had her college degree at the University of Pennsylvania and participated in several competitions as well.
Lia Thomas Transgender
It was during her college days she came out as transgender to her family and eventually changed her name.
“In a way, it was sort of a rebirth, for the first time in my life, feeling fully connected to my name and who I am and living who I am. I am Lia”, she said.
What Are Lia Thomas Records?
As a first-year recruit, Lia recorded a period of 8 minutes and 57.55 seconds in the 1,000-yard freestyle.
Not just that, he ranked as the sixth-fastest national men’s time, as well as 500-yard freestyle and 1,650-yard freestyle times ranked within the top100 in the country.
On the men’s swim team Lia took second place in the men’s 500, 1,000, and 1,650-yard freestyle at the Ivy League championships in 2018 and 2019.