Luka Willems wishes to compete at the 12th Down syndrome Swimming World champs in Portugal

$730 of $7,500 goal

Given by 23 generous donors since yesterday

Luka striving to compete on the International stage in Portugal. 12th Down Syndrome World Swim Champs. Luka working to live the dream.

Christchurch, Canterbury

Luka is on a mission to be top 10 in the World. He's training to compete at the 12th Down Syndrome Worlds. He plans to be a flying kiwi and wear that silver fern for New Zealand.

Luka swam internationally for the first time in 2022 and has moved from top 20 rankings in his category Senior Mens II2 category (17-23yrs) to 3 top 10 records in 2025. He holds 8 DSISO SC Oceania Records and 1 LC Record. He also holds multiple NZ records.

Luka has had several health hurdles in the last year but is now on track to reunite with his international swim buddies from DSISO, rekindle friendships and take on some challenging racing including 400M free and 200IM. Ouch. Super hard.

If you feel you can support Luka swim at the Worlds, help him gain much needed competition experience while putting a smile on his face, we'd be very grateful.

Please help him to one day stand on that podium. Thanks everyone.

Can you please share Luka's story.

Angelique van der Velden's involvement (page creator)

I am Luka's mum and do my best to enable him to have a good life. He's passionate about swimming so I'm supporting him in his quest to represent NZ. Luka's sister will travel as support person and we will fund her costs eg travel and competition expenses

Use of funds

Competing in a high performance para swim competition comes with hefty entry fees. Not only will Luka have flights from NZ to Portugal but he will have competition related Entry fees, race costs, accommodation/food and travel in Portugal.