Anastasia Pagonis

Quick Facts

• Sport: Para-swimming

• Event: 100-meter freestyle S11 and 400-meter freestyle S11

Biographical Information

Anastasia Pagonis is an American Paralympic swimmer who has become an inspirational figure in the world of para sports, competing in the S11 classification for visually impaired athletes. 

Beyond her athletic achievements, Pagonis is a vocal advocate for disability awareness and mental health, using her platform to inspire others. She was diagnosed with autoimmune retinopathy and lost her vision completely by the age of 14. She has used her experience to raise awareness about disability and mental health, particularly through her active presence on social media, where she shares her journey and offers support to others facing similar challenges.

Paralympic Highlights

Anastasia Pagonis made her Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, where she quickly became one of the stars of the competition. In the 400-meter freestyle, Pagonis won gold and set a new world record with a time of 4:54.49. 

Pagonis returned to the Paralympics at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, placing seventh in the women’s 100-meter freestyle S11.

World Championship Highlights

Pagonis competed in the World Para Swimming Championships in 2022, winning two gold medals in the 100-meter freestyle S11 and 400-meter freestyle S11. She added an additional gold medal in the 200-meter individual medley SM11.

Early Career

Pagonis began her para swimming career in earnest in 2018, quickly rising through the ranks of U.S. Paralympic swimming. She made a name for herself at the 2019 U.S. Paralympic Swimming National Championships, where she broke her first American record in the 400-meter freestyle. Her rapid improvement and determination caught the attention of the national team coaches, and she was soon competing at the highest levels of international para-swimming.

Paralympic Experience

• 2-time Paralympian; 2-time Paralympic medalist (1 gold, 1 bronze)
• Paralympic Games Paris 2024, 4th (400m Freestyle S11 - Women), 5th (4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 49 Points - Mixed), 7th (100m Freestyle S11 - Women), 8th (50m Freestyle S11 - Women)
• Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, gold (400m Freestyle S11 - Women), bronze (200m Individual Medley SM11 - Women), 4th (100m Freestyle S11 - Women), 8th (50m Freestyle S11 - Women)

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2022 – gold (100m Freestyle S11 - Women, 200m Individual Medley SM11 - Women, 400m Freestyle S11 - Women)
• Years of participation: 100m Freestyle S11 - Women 2022; 200m Individual Medley SM11 - Women 2022; 400m Freestyle S11 - Women 2022
• Medals: 3 (3 gold)
• Gold – 2022 (100m Freestyle S11 - Women, 200m Individual Medley SM11 - Women, 400m Freestyle S11 - Women)