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Cape Town - Olympic medallist Cameron van der Burgh has announced his retirement from competitive swimming on Wednesday.
This comes soon after the 30-year-old stunned the field by claiming gold in the men's 100m breaststroke at the 14th FINA World Swimming short course Championship in Hangzhou.
Van der Burgh confirmed his decision to hang up his goggles at a press conference in China.
"It is an amazing flashback to see a long way ago when I was a still young kid with a lot of dreams. It has been amazing to fulfil those dreams but today is the day I announce my retirement," he said, as quoted by the FINA website.
"I couldn't be more happy with the outcome of my last race tonight. I have won the 100m breast gold medal here in Hangzhou tonight and I feel very blessed to be here in this room with my family and coach."
Van der Burgh has an impressive swimming resume, with a gold and silver medal from the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, respectively, as well as four Commonwealth Games gold medals, two silvers and three bronze medals.
"Thank you so much for every person that has been a part of my life and my swimming career. Swimming has given me so much and has 'springboarded' me to the next part of my future," he continued.
"2018 has definitely been the best year of my life. I have gotten married to my beautiful wife who is here in the room; my Commonwealth Games gold was also one of the heights.
"But I have also started to plan my future and think what is coming next for me. Swimming has really given me a springboard for the rest of my career. I have now started to work at a private hedge funding in London where we trend with oil and the rush I get from there is very similar to what I get when I race. The sport of swimming has giving me the platform I needed for the rest of my life."
Van der Burgh will still compete in the men's 50m breaststroke on Thursday.
The swimming superstar has recently got married and relocated to London.
.@Cameronvdburgh retires from swimming on top after winning another world title taking his total to 5 gold, 1 Olympic Gold and 9 World Records! More than that he always stayed a true gentlemen and outstanding ambassador for South Africa and the sport of swimming. ????????????
— Ryk Neethling (@RykNeethling) December 12, 2018
South African star @Cameronvdburgh ???? has announced his retirement from swimming at the end of the 14th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m).????2 Olympic medals?? 1st African individual WR holder? #100Breast WR holderThank you, Cameron, we will miss you! ?? pic.twitter.com/wozJGZZ4qh
— FINA (@fina1908) December 12, 2018
