Kirsty Balfour (born 21 February 1984), also known by her married name Kirsty Kettles, is a Scottish former competitive swimmer who represented Great Britain in the Olympic Games, FINA world championships and European championships, and competed for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games. She specialized in breaststroke events.

Kirsty Balfour
Personal information
Full nameKirsty Balfour
Nickname"Balf"
National team Great Britain
Born (1984-02-21) 21 February 1984 (age 40)
Edinburgh, Scotland
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight61 kg (134 lb; 9.6 st)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesBreaststroke
ClubCity of Edinburgh
Medal record
Women's swimming
Representing Great Britain
World Championships (LC)
Silver medal – second place 2007 Melbourne 200 m breaststroke
European Championships (LC)
Gold medal – first place 2006 Budapest 200 m breaststroke
Gold medal – first place 2006 Budapest 4×100 m medley
Silver medal – second place 2006 Budapest 100 m breaststroke
European Championships (SC)
Gold medal – first place 2006 Helsinki 200 m breaststroke
Silver medal – second place 2006 Helsinki 100 m breaststroke
Representing  Scotland
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 2006 Melbourne 200 m breaststroke
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Melbourne 100 m breaststroke

She won a gold medal in the 200-metre breaststroke at the European Long-Course Championships in 2006, and took silver in same event at the World Championships in Melbourne in 2007.

She announced her retirement from swimming on 7 November 2008, stating she planned to do more work for her church.[1] She got married the following day.[2]

Personal bests and records held

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Event Long course Short course
50 m breaststroke 29.08 (2006) 31.56 (2008)
100 m breaststroke 1:07.83 (2006) 1:06.37 (2008)
200 m breaststroke 2:24.04 (2006) NR 2:21.82 (2006) NR
Record Key NR:British

References

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  1. ^ "Balfour steps down from swimming". British Swimming. 7 November 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
  2. ^ "Wedding bells ring for retired Kirsty". British Swimming. 10 November 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2008.
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