Which athlete holds the record for the most Paralympic medals?

Trischa Zorn holds the record for the most Paralympic medals, with 55.

The American swimmer competed at seven Paralympic Games from 1980 through 2004. She won 41 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze medals, making her the most successful Paralympian by total medals and gold medals. Her achievements came primarily in swimming events for athletes with visual impairments.

Zorn was born blind and competed in classification categories for visually impaired swimmers. Her career included numerous world records and a remarkable run of success across several Games, although the number and structure of events changed over time.

The record is sometimes confused with Olympic medal records, especially that of swimmer Michael Phelps. Phelps holds the Olympic record with 28 medals, but Zorn’s 55-medal total is a Paralympic record. Medal comparisons across eras should also be read alongside changes in classification and event programmes.