Simone Barlaam on exchange in Castle Hill after claiming gold at the Paralympic Worlds

Paralympic swimming champ Simone Barlaam has brought his talents to Castle Hill

Simone Barlaam with his gold medal from the Paralympic World Swimming Championships. Simone is currently on exchange at Castle Hill High School.

From the north of Italy to Castle Hill via the Paralympic World Swimming Championships, Simone Barlaam is no ordinary teenager.

The Italian 17-year-old, who is on a student exchange program at Castle Hill High School, last year claimed two gold, a silver and a bronze at the Paralympic Worlds in Mexico. Incredibly, it was his first international competition.

“I knew I was able to do well, but in such a big event anything is possible,” Barlaam said.

“It was such a strong emotion. Especially in my first gold because I dedicated that victory to my grandad. Sadly he passed away a day before the start of the competition.

Simone won two gold, a silver and a bronze at the Paralympic World Swimming Championships in Mexico

“Also because my parents and my sister were able to come to Mexico and watch me compete. “Since they always encouraged me and helped in the bad moments it has been really nice to see them ... share my achievement.”

When it comes to where Barlaam’s love for swimming comes from, the answer is fairly simple. “I have always enjoyed swimming, since that was the only sport I could have done.”

Barlaam was born with a lower limb deficiency that means his right leg is shorter than his left.

“Every time my legs touched the ground the weight of my body risked to break them, so swimming was the perfect sport where my legs were not affected by gravity and by the weight of my body.”