Joel Mundie (swimming) was added to the Para-Swimming National Development squad in 2021 after some impressive performances at selection meets and made his Commonwealth Games debut in Birmingham the following year where he competed in the men’s 50m freestyle S7.

The Cairns teenager was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, a rare inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord, when he was six months old. He took up swimming aged 11, but still works heavily on his upper body to compensate for his lack of strength in his lower body. In 2017, he claimed three medals and five personal best times at the Queensland state titles, before claiming nine national junior records at the Australian Para Swimming Championships. He also carried the Queen’s Baton when it visited his hometown in 2018 ahead of the Gold Coast Games.

Joel swims for the Central Cairns Swim Club where he is coached by Andrew ‘Herbie’ Howard and his next target is a Paralympic debut in Paris in 2024.