Downie Claims Prestigious Award

WAIS athlete and 2012 London Paralympian Katherine Downie has been awarded the Swimming WA, Multiclass Swimmer of the Year.

The award capped off a remarkable 12 months for Downie,who attended her first Paralympics last year at the age of 16.

Downie made the final in eight of her nine events and returned from the Games with two gold medals from two history-making relay teams.

Upon her return, she continued the medal haul at the 2012 EnergyAustralia Short Course Championships and more recently won a bronze medal at the 2013 Energy Australia Championships and booked a ticket to the 2013 IPC World Championships in Montreal later this year.

Accepting the award at Perth’s famed Fraser’s restaurant, Downie joked that dining at Fraser’s – was as much a dream come true as winning the prestigious award.

“When we first moved to Australia, mum pointed up to King’s Park and said when we win the lottery I’ll take you to Fraser’s for dinner,” said the Scottish born swimmer.

Downie was joined in winning an award by fellow WAIS scholarship holder Rhys Mainstone, who claimed the Open Water Swimmer of the Year.

The three-time Australian Champion booked his ticket to the 2013 FINA World Swimming Championships in Barcelona after claiming the Australian title in the men’s 10km event and a silver in the 5km at the 2013 Australian Open Water Championships in New South Wales.

His win followed an impressive performance at the Oceania Championships in Noumea where he claimed a gold and silver medal in the 5km and 10km events respectively.

– Swimming WA