Lakeisha Patterson OAM (swimming) wowed the local crowds at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games when she swam up a category in the 100m S9 freestyle and claimed gold by just half a second ahead of England’s Alice Tai in a Games record. With a second gold in the 50m freestyle S8, she became the first Australian female para swimmer to win two gold medals at a single Games.

Known affectionately as “Lucky”, Lakeisha started swimming aged five as part of her rehabilitation to overcome muscle stiffness after being diagnosed with cerebral palsy. She started competing nationally aged 13 and made her international debut at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games where she claimed a bronze medal in the 100m freestyle S8.

Since then, she has gone on to represent Australia at four world championships (2015, 2019, 2022, 2023) and two Paralympics winning a total of 14 medals: seven medals – including three gold – at both meets. Her greatest success has come in the women’s 400m freestyle where she won successive Paralympic gold in Rio 2016 (S8) and Tokyo 2020 (S9) and world championships gold in London 2019 and Manchester 2023 (S9). At her third Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, she finished fifth in the 200m individual medley SM10.

The 13-time Australian champion is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Communications (majoring in Digital Media) at the University of Queensland.