Despite beginning her competitive career in 2015, it only took Kiera Stephens three years to earn her first Australian cap.

Born missing fingers on her left hand, Stephens attended the 2018 Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships where she won a silver medal in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke (SB9). In the following year, she went on to place fourth in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke (SB9) and sixth in the Women’s 200m Individual Medley (SM10).

At her first Paralympics in Tokyo, Kiera won a bronze medal in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke (SB9), which also broke the Australian record at 1:17.59. In 2022, Stephens won a gold and silver medal at the World Para Swimming Championships and a bronze at the Commonwealth Games.

In Paris 2024, Stephens pulled on the green and gold once again to attend her second Paralympic Games, this time winning her first Paralympic gold. Stephens was a heat swimmer for Australia’s winning mixed 4x100m medley (34PT) relay team that also featured Callum Simpson (heat), Emily Beecroft, Tim Hodge and Alexa Leary.

Stephens also had a shot to defend her bronze title from Tokyo in the 100 Breaststroke (SB9), however missed out on a podium in Paris by 0.5 seconds.

CLASSIFICATIONS: S10, SB9, SM10