Special Olympics Te Awamutu national summer games swimming team
Cambridge’s Keziah Clark and Hamilton-based Deshan Walallavita were among those to standout for Special Olympics Te Awamutu at the 2025 National Summer Games late last year.
Keziah Clark went above and beyond in the lead up to the games.
The 12-strong swimming team ventured to Christchurch, competing in the pool complex at the new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre.
“Everybody medalled. We had 22 medals and placings, but a lot of those placings had PBs. That’s like gold to us anyway,” head swimming coach Shelley Blair said.
“I make a big point of that because a lot of them worked jolly hard. It’s pretty daunting when you’ve got 1300 athletes, and it’s a 1-4 ratio, so you’ve got coaches and assistant coaches on top of that. There were 42 clubs and 11 sports at nine venues.
“We were up at 5.30am most mornings and shattered by the end of the day.”
Alongside Keziah and Deshan were Te Awamutu athletes Peter Crawford, Sarah Griffin, Sarah-Jane Hudson, David Smith, Matthew Smith, Caitlin Thomas, Robert van der Wee, Ella Yarndley, Cambridge’s Jarrod Gilbert and longtime former Ōtorohanga resident Jennifer Clark.
“Keziah Clark just blew us away. She was training two extra days during the week, plus Saturday and Sunday that we had going on as a club,” Shelley said.
Deshan Walallavita was “a machine” at the summer games.
“It showed incredibly in the water. She medalled and got PBs. She’s just a trooper. Keziah lived up to everything that we thought she would and beyond.
“We’re very fortunate to have very supportive families who were able to get the swimmers to do extra swim training.”
Deshan has been coached by Shelley since 2008.
He impressed at his fifth national games, claiming two golds, two silvers and PBs.
“He has an incredibly supportive family too. They take him to the pool and he does gym work,” Shelley said.
“It never ceases to amaze me how he can get into the water and be as fast as he is. He’s a sprinter.
“Deshan is a machine and he never stops. I couldn’t believe it.”
There were teething issues at the venue, seating problems and lack of air-conditioning, but overall the team had a great trip south.
Shelley said she was grateful to have the support of her husband Bruce and Cherie Thompson.
“That was Cherie’s first year with us and that included nationals. She couldn’t believe the calibre of the swimming.”
Nationals are held every four years, though the last was held in Hamilton three years ago following a Covid delay.
The 2029 event location is yet to be confirmed, but it’s likely to be in the North Island.
Special Olympics Te Awamutu national summer games swimming team – Back row: from left, David Smith, Sarah Griffin, Jarrod Gilbert, Ella Yarndley. Middle row: Deshan Walallavita, Peter Crawford, Caitlin Thomas. Front: Sarah-Jane Hudson, Matthew Smith, Keziah Clark, Jennifer Clark.
