Paralympic pride in swimmer Vicki Belando-Nicholson’s sights after near-death horror

Having defied death at just six months of age following a boat capsizing, proud Brisbane resident Vicki Belando-Nicholson is going all out for future Paralympic glory after mastering life in the pool.

Para swimmer Victoria Belando Nicholson (middle) with swimmers Maggie Butler, 11 and Jake MacDonald, 10. Picture: Nigel Hallett

At just six months of age, Vicki Belando-Nicholson was pulled from the water and resuscitated after the refugee boat she was travelling on capsized near Malta.

Sixteen years later, the now-proud Brisbane resident has her eyes firmly set on the 2028 Paralympics.

Vicki was born without a fibular in her left leg, making her leg 14cm shorter than her right leg, a condition called Fibular Hemimelia.

She began swimming competitively in 2023 and also is also a keen water polo player, training at the famous Yeronga Park Swimming Club alongside three-time gold medallist Rowan Crothers and bronze medallist Kajta Dedekind.

“At the beginning, when I started swimming, I thought it’s a very individual sport but it’s actually not that individual as it seems,” she said.

“You’re chatting with everyone in the lane, encouraging each other to push hard. It’s really good, I love it.”

After falling short of making the Paris team, Vicki is determined to swim in Las Vegas and for the home crowd in 2032. “I’d say 2028 is my closest goal but 2032 will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she said. “It’s exciting because I’ll have my family and my friends there watching me. “

Vicki’s mother drowned when the boat capsized in 2008. Vicki and her sister lived in an orphanage for two years before Brisbane couple Ewan and Susanna Belando-Nicholson adopted them. Now Vicki’s journey has inspired Brisbane 2032 organising committee president Andrew Liveris.

“Facing difficult adversity at such a young age but proving that with a positive and determined mindset, you can achieve greatness,” he said.

“Strength and resilience are characteristics that so many athletes possess.”

Today marks eight years until the Paralympics 2032.