Former Bamawm Extension resident Col Pearse has his sights set on competing at the Paris Paralympics.
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Col has successfully competed in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games where he collected bronze and at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, he brought home gold in his speciality event, the men's 100m butterfly.
Col, 20, is now preparing for the selection trials in Brisbane from June 10 to 15 where the Paris Paralympic squad will be chosen.
“I haven't been selected for the Paris Paralympics yet. I have to swim under a qualifying time and be in the top three fastest,’’ he said.
“I’m really confident, the training I have done is the hardest I have ever done in my career. I’m older and stronger than I was a year ago.
“The goal for me is to get onto the podium.”
Col, now based in Melbourne, where he does his training, has been swimming 50 to 60km a week.
The Paralympics start at the end of August.
Col was in the media recently, promoting milk as part of World Milk Day.
He enjoys a chocolate milk after training and says it gives him the boost he needs.
“I’m able to get more out of my performance when drinking milk at the right moments, such as straight after intense training sessions,” he said.
Australian Dairy dietitian, Kristina Gorgievska said World Milk Day was a timely reminder to enjoy milk every day for its unique nutrient package and multiple health benefits.
“Whey and casein are unique proteins only found in dairy foods,’’ she said.
“These proteins have been shown to supercharge lean muscle development and repair.’’
Swimmer Col Pearse with the medal he brought back from the World Para Championships. Photo: Cath Grey
Photo by
Cath Grey
The Echuca-born swimmer relocated to Melbourne in 2018, training under the tutelage of coach Matt King at Melbourne H20 Swimming Club.
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