Special Olympics City of Hull athlete Angus Leckonby set his third Guinness World Records title at London’s Swim Serpentine Open Water Swimming event on Saturday.
Twenty-three-year-old Angus, who lives in Octon in the East Riding of Yorkshire, became the youngest person with an intellectual disability to complete a two-mile open water swim at London’s iconic Swim Serpentine event in Hyde Park.
“I am feeling so proud of myself, it was a good swim,” said Angus.
“The hard work is swimming the big distance, but it was exciting. Swimming has helped me a lot, it has been good for me, and it was exciting to get in the water and swim around [the Serpentine].”
The latest Guinness World Records title follows on from Angus’s achievements at the TCS London Marathon earlier this year, where he became the youngest and fastest male with an intellectual disability to run a marathon
Angus, who is autistic and lives with verbal dyspraxia, has been using his record-breaking achievements to raise funds for Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) (Charity No. 800329 England & Wales and SC052090 Scotland) which uses the power of sport to transform the lives of children and adults with an intellectual disability.
“Angus is a trailblazer and a true inspiration to everyone in the Special Olympics GB family, said Special Olympics GB Chief Executive Laura Baxter MBE.
“To achieve three Guinness World Records in one year, across marathon running and open-water swimming, shows extraordinary dedication and courage. His achievements prove what is possible when people with intellectual disabilities are given opportunities, support and belief.
“We are immensely proud of Angus and grateful for the awareness and funds he is raising to help more athletes transform their lives through sport.”
After being introduced to swimming at the age of 12, Angus soon joined Special Olympics City of York club, before moving to Hull to support his other training activity.
He competed at the National Summer Games in 2017 and has been a regular participant in its swimming galas across the country for several years.
Earlier this year, he signed up to the Athlete Leadership Programme, which he is currently studying for, and he was part of the Dream Ride Experience in the US, last month, alongside former Athlete Leadership Team Chair Katie Day – the first overseas trip that he had experienced without his family.
“It’s been an incredible year both in and out of sport for Angus,” said his dad, Matthew Leckonby.
“Never did we imagine, years ago, that he would now hold three Guinness World Records and be able to travel to America independently. Being part of Special Olympics GB and participating in sport has been the driving force behind this, and we’re so proud of everything it has helped him achieve.
“The move to triathlon over the past 12 months has been amazing for him. He’s made great friends at Wolds Triathlon Club and Total Tri Training who have been fantastic at welcoming him as a prominent member. He’s also spent more time in open water at North Yorkshire Water Park, where he now volunteers as a member of staff.
“We’ve already started looking at events he wants to do next year, and he’s very excited about what the future could hold.”