Rutgers junior swimmer Brooke Thompson won six medals at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo. Thompson, who was born completely deaf, competed against other deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes worldwide without
hearing assistance, winning 2 gold and 4 bronze medals at the international competition.
Thompson is an advocate for adaptive technology and workplace inclusion for individuals with disabilities. She received her first cochlear implant when she was one and her second one at just four years old. She has not let her condition stop her from accomplishing great things.
Brooke set the USA Deaf Swimming record in the 50-meter freestyle with a time of 26.58 seconds and helped set world records in the 4×100 medley relay and the 4×100 freestyle relay. She also won bronze in the 50-meter butterfly with a time of 28.95 seconds and the 100-meter butterfly with a time of 1:05:22.
Taking part in two relays, Thompson swam the anchor leg of the 4×100 mixed medley relay with a time of 59.07 seconds, with the USA finishing at 3:58:57, shattering the previous deaf world record by 3.4 seconds. She also swam the second leg of the 4×100 mixed freestyle relay, with the team finishing at 3:39:66.
Thompson described the incredible experience, saying, “The competition was fierce, and I had an amazing time creating new memories and friendships, as well as seeing old friends, racing hard, and earning medals. It was truly a one of a kind experience that I am proud and thankful to be part of.”
She previously competed in the 2022 Deaflympics in Brazil, winning eight medals, in addition to 11 medals at two World Deaf Swimming Championships, with Thompson now collecting 25 Deaf Swimming medals overall.
In addition to competing internationally, Thompson is a captain for the Rutgers swimming and diving team and was recently named an official brand ambassador for SHI International, which partners with Rutgers Athletics.
Before the competition, head coach Jon Macoll and Director of Athletics Keli Zinn wished her luck and offered words of support for the extraordinary swimmer.
“Brooke – you’ve been a wonderful captain and a wonderful athlete,” Macoll said. “You are a wonderful representative for all in the hearing impaired community. Good luck and keep chopping.”
“Brooke – you are truly an inspiration,” said Zinn. “You embody everything we would ever hope to see from a Scarlet Knight. Go for the Gold and Go RU!”
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