If all goes according to plan, Bloemfontein swimmer Elih Lawrence (23) will travel to Bangkok in August.
His coach, Clinton Thomas, heard on Tuesday, 10 June, that Lawrence, who was included in the South African Sports Association for the Intellectually Impaired’s (SASA-II) swimming squad will take part in the World Intellectually Impaired Championships.
Lawrence is the only Free State swimmer that was included in the South African (SA) Swimming Squad for 2025.
He excelled in the South African Summer Games in Johannesburg early April, where he attained nine bronze medals. He also placed third in the 400m freestyle, 200m breaststroke, 200m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 100m medley as well as the 50m breaststroke, 200m freestyle, and 100m backstroke.
Lawrence formed part of the North West relay team that won a silver medal.
He also took part in the senior National Swimming Championships in Gqeberha on 13 April, where he improved on his time in all 11 numbers that he participated in, and obtained bronze in the 200m individual medley. All classifications from S1 to S17 competed at this event.
His mother, Michele, said Lawrence was living his dream of being a professional swimmer.
His ultimate goal is to compete in the Special Olympics.
The focus is now on the South African Winter Championship from 27 June to 1 July in Gqeberha. Times will be taken into consideration for Bangkok.
Michele said they were extremely proud of Lawrence, who fell in a swimming pool and almost drowned at the age of 20 months.
“He has achieved so much already and is so dedicated.”
The Lawrence family will open a Back-a-Buddy account to help finance the young swimmer’s trip to Bangkok.
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