A Garston schoolboy returned from the British Down Syndrome Championships with an impressive haul of eight gold medals.
Joe Edwards, 15, attends St Michael’s Catholic High School and swam in eight junior categories at the British Championships in Crawley on November 16 and 17.
He won gold in every single one of his events – 100m breaststroke, 50m butterfly, 200m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 100m individual medley, 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 100m freestyle.
This is Joe’s second time competing in the British Down Syndrome Championships, following his win of three golds and one silver last year.
“But this year it was just golds,” he told Garston News as he joked that he is “weighed down” by all his golds.
Joe explained: “I got into swimming from my dad because he was a top swimmer, and he taught me from a very young age.”
Joe has been swimming competitively since primary school and now swims with Verulam Swim Club in St Albans.
He said that he loves swimming because “you feel free in the water – it’s like you have powers!”.
Joe has now been invited to join the GB Down’s Syndrome squad at their training camp in Coventry in January.
Rob, coaching team representative at Verulam Swim Club, said: “As with any success in swimming, there are no shortcuts. Joe has had to dedicate himself to training and competing at Verulam events and open meets.
“Joe’s success can be attributed to his great capacity to learn and enthusiasm to swim. Most importantly, he always has fun!”
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