One of New Zealand's young paralympic stars, Joshua Willmer, has set his sights on swimming past what some may think is possible.
At just 20-years-old, Willmer is preparing to defend his gold at next year's Commonwealth Games, compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics and eventually break the 100m breaststroke world record, all while finding enough time to fish.
Willmer, who is a left-arm amputee below the elbow, grew up near the water in Auckland's Kaukau Bay. At just eight, he started swimming competitively for a club.
However, it wasn't until last year after the Paris Paralympics that Willmer decided he wanted to become one of the swimming greats.
"Ever since I started international swimming, honestly, I went into it like 'it's just racing and nothing much would come of it'.
"But I feel like that definitely changed after Paris.
"There was a big mindset change where I was like, 'well actually, I do want to be a really great swimmer, and I want to do big things'."
Joshua Willmer won gold at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth games aged 17. Photo: Nick Monro
Willmer, who competes in the SB8 classification for the 100m breaststroke, has since moved out of home, changed clubs and turned the dial up on his training.
"I went into [Paris Paralympics] expecting nothing, but I came out wanting more... and honestly, I haven't looked back."
Training under his new coach Michael Weston, Willmer looks to next year take another Commonwealth gold after his win at the Birmingham Commonwealth games, aged 17.
But beyond the pool, Willmer has had to make a lot of sacrifices.
"Like going from going out partying all the time to now swimming is, like, my main focus.
"And there is so much I'm still learning, like how recovery is just so important, and how you need to have the right nutrition, and just a whole lot of new things to learn."
Pressure makes diamonds
Competing and training at such a high level also comes with intense pressure, Willmer says.
"I kind of get in the space where I really doubt myself... you're always going to go into something like [the Paralympics] with a little bit of doubt and a little bit of like, 'can I do it? Like, what will happen?'.
"But it's just trying to realise, I've put in the work, we kind of know what times I can go... and just trusting the process. You've just got to trust the process.
"If I'm really struggling with pressure, I always go to my new coach, Michael, and we always have a little chat about it."
When asked how he balances swimming and all life's to-dos, Willmer's answer was fishing.
"I really believe in having a really good life outside of swimming.
"People live and breathe swimming, and I'd love to say I do the same, but honestly, I never watch it on TV.
Paralympic head coach Simon Mayne. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
"If I've had a hard week and I get an afternoon off or something, I love going fishing with my mates or go play a round of golf - like anything but talk about swimming."
Willmer's in-season training schedule is full on, consisting of three gyms sessions, nine swims and three cycles a week.
Paralympic head coach Simon Mayne says Willmer has many strengths, but there is one that stands out to him.
"I think his strength is he doesn't do what other people think he can do.
"So if someone says, 'oh no, you'll never make a final', you know, there's quite a lot of negative people out there... he doesn't listen to that. He says, 'no, I'm going to give this a go'.
"He knows why he's training. He's training because when he goes to a competition, he wants to smash it. He wants to be able to walk the walk."
Sophie May, 21, is Willmer's auntie and one of his closest friends. She seconds Mayne's sentiment.
"He'd just smash all of it, even with having one-and-a-half arms, he's never let it get in the way of things he does in his life.
"It was hard with other kids, they're very vocal, making it pretty tough, you know, when you look different to everyone else. And I feel like he always rised above it all and just kept kind of pushing and always focused on his sport," May says.
"I've found that if he's not in the pool, he's in the ocean, so he's just always by water."
'Take the risk'
Joshua Willmer's favourite training tune is Daughter by Pearl Jam. Photo: Nick Monro
Willmer, looking to one day break the 100m breaststroke record, had some advice for other youngsters moving up the ranks - take the risk.
"The amount of fun that you get out of it as well as potentially making a team or anything, like you might as well do it when you're young.
"You don't want to go sit back at 30 and be like, I really wish I did that. If you really think that you can do it, I think just go for it."
Willmer suggested cranking the tunes - Daughter by Pearl Jam to be specific - and getting into the mahi.
The current breaststroke world record for the SB8 classification is 1.07.01, Willmer's personal best is currently 1.11.08.
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