Kerri Williams, New Zealand's best female rower, announced her retirement Monday. This comes months after she won bronze in the coxless quartet at the Paris Games.

Williams was one of four New Zealanders to win Olympic gold, silver, and bronze. She won the coxless pairs and led her team to a second-place finish in the women's 8s at Tokyo.

Since beginning her international career in 2001, the 30-year-old has also won five World Championships.

Williams stated in a press release that she was ready to make a change, both mentally and physically. "I could have continued, but I am satisfied with my current situation and what I've accomplished and it's now time to move on." Reporting by Amy Tennery, New York; editing by Ken Ferris

(source: Reuters)