Ariana Kukors swims in the 200 yard IM final during day one of the AT&T Short Course Nationals at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center on December 3, 2009 in Federal Way, Washington.
Ariana Kukors Smith, a 2012 Olympian and former world champion swimmer, is now a mom, too.
Kukors Smith and husband Matthew Smith welcomed their first son, Whitaker Michael, at 12:02 a.m. on Thursday. The little guy, who they’re calling Whit, weighed in at 7 pounds, 13 ounces and stretched out to 21 inches tall.
In a post announcing the newborn on Sunday, Kukors Smith said the name continues a family tradition.
“Named after his Grandpa Christopher Whitaker Smith, a man who lives a life of tremendous principle with a heart of gold, and Uncle Michael, who brings the fun and light to every room,” she wrote on Instagram. “He came in a hurry... we walked into the hospital after 8pm and he was here less than 4 hours later... we know our little man will keep us on our toes from here on out. Our hearts are overflowing as we adjust to life with our sweet boy.”
A native of Auburn, Washington, Kukors Smith set a world record while winning a world title in the 200-meter individual medley in 2009. Three years later she qualified for her lone Olympics, where she finished fifth in the same event at the London Games.
In total she won five medals at the world championships, including another world title in the 100 IM at the 2010 short-course worlds.
Since retiring from the sport in 2013, Kukors Smith has worked as a speaker and mindset coach, among other jobs. She has also been an advocate for sexual abuse awareness after revealing her own experience with a former coach.
Kukors Smith and Smith met when they became roommates, and the couple married in 2017. Smith is an accountant originally from Texas.
