Amateur Swimming Association : Darren Leach

Club: RTW Monson

Coach: Mick Geer

Classification: S12

Height: 6'7'

Weight: 92kg

DOB: 5 February 1976

Birthplace: Kent

Lives: Tonbridge

Nickname: Tiny, Big D, Ratty

INTERNATIONAL / DOMESTIC EVENTS:

Paralympic Games, Athens 2004
5th 100m Freestyle 57.64
6th 50m Freestyle 26.08

Commonwealth Games, Manchester 2002
4th 100m Freestyle (S12)

RTW Monson AB Club Championships, Tunbridge Wells 2002
GOLD 200m Freestyle
GOLD 200m IM

European Championships, Sweden 2001
GOLD 50m Freestyle (S12)

RECORDS HELD:

50m Freestyle S12 Stockholm 05/08/01 25.88 secs BR

100m Freestyle S12 Manchester 14/04/02 57.55 secs BR

200m Freestyle S12 Quebec 07/08/03 2:09.74 secs BR

400m Freestyle S12 Stockholm 01/08/01 4:31.22 secs BR

50m Breaststroke SB12 Sydney 22/10/00 34.62 secs BR

100m Breaststroke SB12 Mar Del Plata 13/12/02 1:14.38 secs BR

200m Breaststroke SB12 Quebec 05/08/03 2:45.62 secs BR

4x100m Freestyle 49pts Mar Del Plata 13/12/02 3:57.53 secs BR, ER & WR

4x100m IM 49pts Sydney 28/10/00 4:31.33 secs BR & ER

PERSONAL:

First sporting success:
Selection for the European Championships in 1997

Finest sporting moment:
Meeting Sir Steve Redgrave before the Sydney Paralympics

Tip for the top:
Practice makes permanent not perfect

First GB selection year:
1997

Sporting heroes:
Sir Steve Redgrave

Closest friend in sport:
James Bird (plays football for London Sports)

Favourite sport other than swimming:
Football (I support Liverpool and Tonbridge Angels) and pool

Hobbies:
Fishing, playing on my PC and Playstation2 and music

Three words that best describe you:
Stubborn, proud, easy going

Most prized possession:
My Family - (I have a wife and three daughters)

Ambitions:
To be a success in whatever I do

Toughest opponent:
Sergey Punko of Belarus

Favourite venue:
Sydney Aquatics Centre and the Manchester Aquatic Centre

Where do you see yourself in 10 years:
Retired and rich!