This is a list of top goalscorers in the women's Olympic water polo tournament since the inaugural official edition in 2000.
Rk | Rank | Ref | Reference | ISHOF | International Swimming Hall of Fame | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L/R | Handedness | L | Left-handed | R | Right-handed | ||
(C) | Captain | p. | page | pp. | pages |
As of 2016, eighteen female players have scored 20 or more goals at the Summer Olympics.
Last updated: 1 April 2021.
Confederation | Number of top goalscorers | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Total goals: 40+ | Total goals: 30–39 | Total goals: 20–29 | Total | |
Africa – CANA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Americas – UANA | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Asia – AASF | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Europe – LEN | 1 | 1 | 8 | 10 |
Oceania – OSA | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
Total | 1 | 5 | 12 | 18 |
Last updated: 1 April 2021.
Women's team | Number of top goalscorers | Confederation | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total goals: 40+ | Total goals: 30–39 | Total goals: 20–29 | Total | ||
Australia | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | Oceania – OSA |
China | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Asia – AASF |
Hungary | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | Europe – LEN |
Italy | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Europe – LEN |
Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Europe – LEN |
Russia | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Europe – LEN |
Spain | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | Europe – LEN |
United States | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Americas – UANA |
Total | 1 | 5 | 12 | 18 |
The following table is pre-sorted by date of the match (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 1 April 2021.
Three female water polo players have each scored seven goals in an Olympic match.
The first woman to do so was Daniëlle de Bruijn, with the Netherlands women's national team in Beijing on 21 August 2008. She netted seven goals in the gold medal match, helping the Dutch team win the Olympics.[1]
The most recent female player to do so was Roser Tarragó, with Spain women's national team in Rio de Janeiro on 19 August 2016.[2]
# | G | Player | Birth | Age | Height | L/R | For | Result | Against | Tournament | Round | Date | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 7 | Daniëlle de Bruijn‡ | 1978 | 30 | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Left | Netherlands | 9–8 | United States | Beijing 2008 | Gold medal match | 21 Aug 2008 | [1] |
2 | 7 | Maggie Steffens‡ | 1993 | 19 | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Right | United States | 14–13 | Hungary | London 2012 | Preliminary round Group A |
30 Jul 2012 | [3] |
3 | 7 | Roser Tarragó | 1993 | 23 | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) |
Right | Spain | 12–10 | Australia | Rio 2016 | 5th–6th place match | 19 Aug 2016 | [2] |
The following table shows the historical progression of the record of goals scored by a female water polo player in a single Olympic match. Last updated: 1 April 2021.
Goals | Achievement | Year | Player | Age | Height | L/R | Women's team | Date | Duration of record | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | Set record | 2004 | Kyriaki Liosi | 24 | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
Right | Greece | 26 August 2004 | 3 years, 361 days | [4] |
Tied record | 2008 | Kate Gynther | 26 | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
Right | Australia | 17 August 2008 | [5] | ||
7 | Broke record | 2008 | Daniëlle de Bruijn‡ | 30 | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Left | Netherlands | 21 August 2008 | 15 years, 242 days | [1] |
Tied record | 2012 | Maggie Steffens‡ | 19 | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Right | United States | 30 July 2012 | [3] | ||
Tied record | 2016 | Roser Tarragó | 23 | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) |
Right | Spain | 19 August 2016 | [2] |
The following table is pre-sorted by number of goals (in descending order), edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), number of matches played (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 12 August 2021.
Seven female players have scored 18 or more goals in an Olympic water polo tournament.
At the 2020 Summer Olympics, Dutch left-hander Simone van de Kraats scored 28 goals, setting the record for the most goals scored by a female water polo player in a single Olympic tournament.
Maggie Steffens of the United States is the first and only female water polo player to achieve this feat twice. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Steffens netted 21 goals. Nine years later, she scored 18 goals in Tokyo.
Rk | Year | Player | Birth | Age | Height | L/R | Goals | Matches played |
Goals per match |
Women's team | Finish | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2020 | Simone van de Kraats | 2000 | 20 | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
Left | 28 | 7 | 4.000 | Netherlands | 6th of 10 teams |
[6] |
2 | 2012 | Maggie Steffens‡ | 1993 | 19 | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Right | 21 | 6 | 3.500 | United States | 1st of 8 teams |
[7] |
3 | 2012 | Ma Huanhuan | 1990 | 22 | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Right | 19 | 6 | 3.167 | China | 5th of 8 teams |
[8] |
4 | 2012 | Tania Di Mario | 1979 | 33 | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
Right | 18 | 6 | 3.000 | Italy | 7th of 8 teams |
[9] |
2020 | Maddie Musselman‡ | 1998 | 23 | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
Right | 18 | 7 | 2.571 | United States | 1st of 10 teams |
[10] | |
2020 | Beatriz Ortiz | 1995 | 26 | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
Right | 18 | 7 | 2.571 | Spain | 2nd of 10 teams |
[11] | |
2020 | Maggie Steffens‡ (2) | 1993 | 28 | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Right | 18 | 7 | 2.571 | United States | 1st of 10 teams |
[7] | |
Rk | Year | Player | Birth | Age | Height | L/R | Goals | Matches played |
Goals per match |
Women's team | Finish | Ref |
Source:
The following table is pre-sorted by edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), name of the team (in ascending order), number of goals (in descending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 12 August 2021.
Year | Total | 21+ goals | 18–20 goals | 15–17 goals | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
2004 | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
2008 | 1 | — | 0 | — | 0 | Netherlands: Daniëlle de Bruijn (17) | 1 |
2012 | 4 | United States: Maggie Steffens (21) | 1 | China: Ma Huanhuan (19) Italy: Tania Di Mario (18) |
2 | Spain: Anni Espar (15) | 1 |
2016 | 3 | — | 0 | — | 0 | Hungary: Barbara Bujka (15) Spain: Roser Tarragó (15) United States: Maggie Steffens (17) |
3 |
2020 | 9 | Netherlands: Simone van de Kraats (28) | 1 | Spain: Beatriz Ortiz (18) United States: Maddie Musselman (18), Maggie Steffens (18) |
3 | Canada: Kyra Christmas (15) China: Zhang Jing (16) Netherlands: Maud Megens (17) ROC: Ekaterina Prokofyeva (15) Spain: Anni Espar (15) |
5 |
Year | Total | 21+ goals | 18–20 goals | 15–17 goals |
Source:
The following table is pre-sorted by edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), number of matches played (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 12 August 2021.
At 19 years old, Maggie Steffens of the United States made her Olympic debut at the 2012 London Olympics, where she was the youngest-ever female top goalscorer with 21 goals. She was also the top goalscorer at the 2016 Rio Olympics, with 17 goals.
Dutch left-handed player Daniëlle de Bruijn was the joint top goalscorer at the 2000 Olympics, with 11 goals. Eight years later she netted 17 goals, including seven goals in the gold medal match, becoming the top goalscorer at the 2008 Olympics.
Year | Player | Birth | Age | Height | L/R | Goals | Matches played |
Goals per match |
Women's team | Finish | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | Daniëlle de Bruijn | 1978 | 22 | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Left | 11 | 7 | 1.571 | Netherlands | 4th of 6 teams |
[12] |
Bridgette Gusterson‡ | 1973 | 27 | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
Right | 7 | 1.571 | Australia | 1st of 6 teams |
[13] | ||
Sofia Konukh | 1980 | 20 | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Right | 7 | 1.571 | Russia | 3rd of 6 teams |
[14] | ||
2004 | Tania Di Mario‡ | 1979 | 25 | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
Right | 14 | 6 | 2.333 | Italy | 1st of 8 teams |
[9] |
2008 | Daniëlle de Bruijn‡ (2) | 1978 | 30 | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Left | 17 | 6 | 2.833 | Netherlands | 1st of 8 teams |
[12] |
2012 | Maggie Steffens‡ | 1993 | 19 | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Right | 21 | 6 | 3.500 | United States | 1st of 8 teams |
[7] |
2016 | Maggie Steffens‡ (2) | 1993 | 23 | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Right | 17 | 6 | 2.833 | United States | 1st of 8 teams |
[7] |
2020 | Simone van de Kraats | 2000 | 20 | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
Left | 28 | 7 | 4.000 | Netherlands | 6th of 10 teams |
[6] |
Source:
The following table shows the historical progression of the record of goals scored by a female water polo player in a single Olympic tournament. Last updated: 12 August 2021.
Goals | Achievement | Year | Player | Age | Height | L/R | Women's team | Date | Duration of record | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | Set record | 2000 | Daniëlle de Bruijn | 22 | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Left | Netherlands | 23 September 2000 | 3 years, 338 days | [12] |
Bridgette Gusterson‡ | 27 | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
Right | Australia | [13] | |||||
Sofia Konukh | 20 | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Right | Russia | [14] | |||||
14 | Broke record | 2004 | Tania Di Mario‡ | 25 | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
Right | Italy | 26 August 2004 | 3 years, 361 days | [9] |
17 | Broke record | 2008 | Daniëlle de Bruijn‡ (2) | 30 | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Left | Netherlands | 21 August 2008 | 3 years, 354 days | [12] |
21 | Broke record | 2012 | Maggie Steffens‡ | 19 | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Right | United States | 9 August 2012 | 8 years, 363 days | [7] |
28 | Broke record | 2020 | Simone van de Kraats | 20 | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
Left | Netherlands | 7 August 2021 | 2 years, 256 days | [6] |
The following table is pre-sorted by number of total goals (in descending order), number of total Olympic matches played (in ascending order), date of the last Olympic match played (in ascending order), date of the first Olympic match played (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 7 August 2021.
Three-time Olympian Maggie Steffens of the United States holds the record for the most goals scored by a female water polo player in Olympic history, with 56 goals.[15]
Italian Tania Di Mario netted 47 goals at four Olympics (2004–2016).[9]
Ma Huanhuan, representing China, holds the record for the most goals scored by an Asian female water polo player in Olympic history, with 37 goals at three Olympics (2008–2016).[8]
Kate Gynther of Australia netted 30 goals in 32 matches between 2004 and 2012.[16]
Rk | Player | Birth | Height | L/R | Women's team | Total goals |
Total matches played |
Goals per match |
Tournaments (goals) |
Period (age of first/last) |
Medals | Ref | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | G | S | B | T | |||||||||||
1 | Maggie Steffens | 1993 | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Right | United States | 56 | 19 | 2.947 | 2012 (21) |
2016 (17) |
2020 (18) |
9 years (19/28) |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | [15] | |
2 | Tania Di Mario | 1979 | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
Right | Italy | 47 | 23 | 2.043 | 2004 (14) |
2008 (10) |
2012 (18) |
2016 (5) |
12 years (25/37) |
1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | [9] |
3 | Ma Huanhuan | 1990 | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Right | China | 37 | 17 | 2.176 | 2008 (7) |
2012 (19) |
2016 (11) |
8 years (18/26) |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | [8] | |
4 | Sofia Konukh | 1980 | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Right | Russia | 31 | 22 | 1.409 | 2000 (11) |
2004 (9) |
2008 (7) |
2012 (4) |
12 years (20/32) |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | [14] |
5 | Brenda Villa | 1980 | 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) |
Right | United States | 31 | 23 | 1.348 | 2000 (9) |
2004 (7) |
2008 (9) |
2012 (6) |
12 years (20/32) |
1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | [17] |
6 | Kate Gynther | 1982 | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
Right | Australia | 30 | 17 | 1.765 | 2004 (7) |
2008 (13) |
2012 (10) |
8 years (22/30) |
0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | [16] |
Source:
The following table is pre-sorted by edition of the Olympics (in ascending order), name of the team (in ascending order), number of total goals (in descending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 1 April 2021.
Source:
The following table shows the historical progression of the record of total goals scored by a female water polo player at the Summer Olympics. Last updated: 7 August 2021.
Total goals |
Achievement | Year | Player | Age | Height | L/R | Women's team | Date | Duration of record | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 | Set record | 2004 | Sofia Konukh | 24 | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Right | Russia | 26 August 2004 | 3 years, 361 days | [14] |
28 | Broke record | 2008 | Daniëlle de Bruijn | 30 | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Left | Netherlands | 21 August 2008 | 3 years, 354 days | [12] |
42 | Broke record | 2012 | Tania Di Mario | 33 | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
Right | Italy | 9 August 2012 | 4 years, 10 days | [9] |
47 | Broke record | 2016 | Tania Di Mario (2) | 37 | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
Right | Italy | 19 August 2016 | 4 years, 353 days | [9] |
56 | Broke record | 2020 | Maggie Steffens | 28 | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
Right | United States | 7 August 2021 | 2 years, 256 days | [15] |
The following tables are pre-sorted by number of total goals (in descending order), year of the last Olympic appearance (in ascending order), year of the first Olympic appearance (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Rk | Player | Birth | L/R | Total goals |
Water polo tournaments (goals) |
Age of first/last |
ISHOF member |
Note | Ref | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||
1 | Kate Gynther | 1982 | Right | 30 | 2004 (7) |
2008 (13) |
2012 (10) |
22/30 | [16] | ||||
2 | Ashleigh Southern | 1992 | Right | 26 | 2012 (12) |
2016 (14) |
19/23 | [18] | |||||
3 | Rowena Webster | 1987 | Right | 23 | 2012 (12) |
2016 (11) |
24/28 | [19] | |||||
4 | Gemma Beadsworth | 1987 | Right | 20 | 2008 (9) |
2012 (10) |
2016 (1) |
21/29 | [20] | ||||
Bronwen Knox | 1986 | Right | 20 | 2008 (12) |
2012 (4) |
2016 (4) |
22/30 | [21] |
Source:
Rk | Player | Birth | L/R | Total goals |
Water polo tournaments (goals) |
Age of first/last |
ISHOF member |
Note | Ref | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||
1 | Ma Huanhuan | 1990 | Right | 37 | 2008 (7) |
2012 (19) |
2016 (11) |
18/26 | [8] |
Source:
Rk | Player | Birth | L/R | Total goals |
Water polo tournaments (goals) |
Age of first/last |
ISHOF member |
Note | Ref | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||
1 | Barbara Bujka | 1986 | Left | 27 | 2012 (12) |
2016 (15) |
25/29 | [22] | |||||
2 | Rita Keszthelyi | 1991 | Right | 24 | 2012 (10) |
2016 (14) |
20/24 | [23] | |||||
3 | Rita Drávucz | 1980 | Right | 23 | 2004 (7) |
2008 (10) |
2012 (6) |
24/32 | [24] |
Source:
Rk | Player | Birth | L/R | Total goals |
Water polo tournaments (goals) |
Age of first/last |
ISHOF member |
Note | Ref | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||
1 | Tania Di Mario | 1979 | Right | 47 | 2004 (14) |
2008 (10) |
2012 (18) |
2016 (5) |
25/37 | [9] |
Source:
Rk | Player | Birth | L/R | Total goals |
Water polo tournaments (goals) |
Age of first/last |
ISHOF member |
Note | Ref | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||
1 | Daniëlle de Bruijn | 1978 | Left | 28 | 2000 (11) |
2008 (17) |
22/30 | [12] |
Source:
Rk | Player | Birth | L/R | Total goals |
Water polo tournaments (goals) |
Age of first/last |
ISHOF member |
Note | Ref | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||
1 | Ekaterina Prokofyeva | 1991 | Right | 37 | 2008 (4) |
2012 (9) |
2016 (9) |
2020 (15) |
17/30 | [25] | |||
2 | Nadezhda Glyzina | 1988 | Right | 28 | 2008 (1) |
2012 (7) |
2016 (13) |
2020 (7) |
20/33 | [26] | |||
3 | Evgeniya Ivanova | 1987 | Right | 26 | 2012 (9) |
2016 (7) |
2020 (10) |
25/34 | [27] |
Source:
Rk | Player | Birth | L/R | Total goals |
Water polo tournaments (goals) |
Age of first/last |
ISHOF member |
Note | Ref | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||
1 | Sofia Konukh | 1980 | Right | 31 | 2000 (11) |
2004 (9) |
2008 (7) |
2012 (4) |
20/32 | [14] |
Source:
Notes:
Rk | Player | Birth | L/R | Total goals |
Water polo tournaments (goals) |
Age of first/last |
ISHOF member |
Note | Ref | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||
1 | Anni Espar | 1993 | Right | 37 | 2012 (15) |
2016 (7) |
2020 (15) |
19/28 | [28] | ||||
2 | Roser Tarragó | 1993 | Right | 29 | 2012 (5) |
2016 (15) |
2020 (9) |
19/28 | [29] | ||||
3 | Maica García | 1990 | Right | 27 | 2012 (7) |
2016 (11) |
2020 (9) |
21/30 | [30] | ||||
4 | Beatriz Ortiz | 1995 | Right | 23 | 2016 (5) |
2020 (18) |
21/26 | [11] | |||||
5 | Judith Forca | 1996 | Left | 21 | 2016 (7) |
2020 (14) |
20/25 | [31] |
Source:
Rk | Player | Birth | L/R | Total goals |
Water polo tournaments (goals) |
Age of first/last |
ISHOF member |
Note | Ref | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||
1 | Maggie Steffens | 1993 | Right | 56 | 2012 (21) |
2016 (17) |
2020 (18) |
19/28 | [7] | ||||
2 | Brenda Villa | 1980 | Right | 31 | 2000 (9) |
2004 (7) |
2008 (9) |
2012 (6) |
20/32 | 2018 | [17] | ||
3 | Maddie Musselman | 1998 | Right | 30 | 2016 (12) |
2020 (18) |
18/23 | [10] | |||||
4 | Makenzie Fischer | 1997 | Right | 21 | 2016 (7) |
2020 (14) |
19/24 | [32] |
Source:
PDF documents in the LA84 Foundation Digital Library:
PDF documents on the FINA website:
PDF documents in the Olympic World Library:
PDF documents on the International Olympic Committee website:
PDF documents on the FINA website:
Water polo on the International Olympic Committee website:
Water polo on the Olympedia website:
Water polo on the Sports Reference website:
Water polo on the Todor66 website:
International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) website: