One of 29 Commonwealth Games debutants on the able-bodied swim team, Tom Nowakowski (swimming) claimed the 50m freestyle title at the 2022 Australian championships and went on to finish 6th in the event in Birmingham.

Nowakowski had been a big mover over the previous 12 months, coming from 13th at the 2021 Australian championships, 8th at the Tokyo Olympic trials a few months later, a 22.17 to win the Queensland title in December and another personal best (21.86) to earn a spot on the 2022 Commonwealth Games and world championships teams.

Nowakowski is coached by Sydney 2000 relay gold medallist and Australian 50m freestyle record holder Ashley Callus at Somerset College Swim Club on the Gold Coast and is studying for a Bachelor of Business at Griffith University.