Swimmers have started arriving home after the European DSISO Swimming Championships in Sardinia and many with medals.
One of the people competing was Billy Birchmore who swam as an Independent. Billy won 7 Gold Medals out of his 7 races – amazing!
We were lucky enough to ask Billy some questions about his achievements and swimming.
How old are you? 
I am 23
Tell us about yourself?
I have just left college and am hoping to find a job in sports. In the summer I passed my Swim England Assistant Swimming Coach Course and hopefully that will help me.
When did you start swimming?
I started swimming when I was 13.5 at Sharks Disability Swimming Club.
What do you like the best about swimming?
I love swimming in general. It is good for your health and fitness, but I like swimming in competitions and swimming competitively.
Have you won any medals for swimming?
I have won lots of medals in the DSISO World and European Championships and hold multi Long Course and Short Course World and European Records. In the past, I also represented Great Britain in the INAS World Games in Mexico in December 2017 when I competed in the trial II2 category (rather than the S14 category which is an unfair category for T21 swimmers) which includes athletes with Down’s syndrome and I won 4 golds, 2 silvers and 1 bronze. I also compete in Open Galas with my Swimming Club and swim in Nationals and Regionals and the Kent County Swimming Champions.
What was it like competing in Sardinia?
It was very exciting competing in Sardinia and meeting up with swimmers from the different countries around the world.
What is your dream for the future for your swimming?
My dream for the future of my swimming is that I can compete in another INAS competition and my ultimate aim is to be able to swim in the Paralympics in the new II2 category.
When you are not training do you have any other hobbies?
When I am not swimming training 6 times per week, I like to play Football and I play for the Charlton Upbeats Football Team. If I have any other spare time, I like to play golf.
Thank you for your time Billy – we predict more medals in your future!