Joshua Willmer started his swimming journey from a young age in Kawakawa Bay, with his family recognising the importance of swimming as a life skill that would enable him to stay safe around the water and at the beach.

Willmer joined Papakura Swimming Club in mid-2015, where he started his foray into competitive swimming. It was at Papakura that Willmer established a healthy coach-athlete relationship with Shaun Foley, who helped him develop as an athlete throughout his teenage years. As his teenage years went on, Willmer emerged as a strong breaststroker.

The duo worked together for seven years before Foley moved to the South Island for a coaching opportunity.

Not long after Willmer shifted to Pukekohe Swimming Club to be coached by Sheldon Kemp, the then-17-year-old travelled to Indianapolis to compete on his first international team at the 2022 Para Swimming World Series.

Only a couple of months later, Willmer made his debut as Aquablack #275 at the 2022 Para Swimming World Championships in Madeira. It was a strong first showing as an Aquablack, with a best finish of sixth place in the SB8 100m breaststroke giving him a taste of racing at a pinnacle international competition.

Willmer made a name for himself at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, producing a New Zealand record to come from behind and win the gold medal in the SB8 100m breaststroke. His celebration captured the heart of the nation, as he excitedly jumped on the lane rope after touching the wall before falling backwards with both arms in the air.

Speaking after the race, Willmer recounted his gold medal winning performance: “I went out there, stuck to my race plan, executed it how I wanted to, and just an awesome turnout. I knew I was behind the whole time. I knew in the last 25m I had to pump the arms, kick the legs – I was real hoping I had him.”

Willmer has become a mainstay of the New Zealand team since his international debut in 2022, having been to multiple stops of the 2023 and 2024 Para Swimming World Series, as well as representing New Zealand at the 2023 Para Swimming World Championships in Manchester.

In Manchester, Willmer broke the New Zealand record again en route to placing sixth in the world in the SB8 100m breaststroke. Willmer has proven he is always ready to deliver his best on the international stage, relishing in the opportunity to swim fast under the bright lights.

In early 2024, Willmer picked up a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke at the Para Swimming World Series stop in Singapore, indicating his fine form heading into a busy year.

Willmer was selected to his first Paralympic Games after a stellar performance on the first day of the New Zealand Championships in Hawke’s Bay, where he notched a qualifying mark for Paris 2024 in the SB8 100m breaststroke.

He made his Paralympic debut at Paris 2024 at age 19, where he broke the New Zealand record in his sole event en route to a ninth place finish - missing out on the final by the slimmest of margins.

The New Zealand record holder’s favourite quote is “Do the mahi, get the treats”.

💥 Broke New Zealand record on Paralympic debut at Paris 2024

Willmer made his Paralympic debut at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where he set the pool on fire by breaking the New Zealand record in the SB9 100m breaststroke en route to taking ninth place. Willmer also lowered the SB8 50m breaststroke record over the opening lap of the race.

🥇 2022 Commonwealth Games champion - SB8 100m breaststroke

Had a break out performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, clinching gold in the SB8 100m breaststroke and resetting the New Zealand record in the process.

💥 Two-time finalist at Para Swimming World Championships

Willmer is a two-time finalist at the Para Swimming World Championships, placing sixth in the SB8 100m breaststroke at both the 2022 and 2023 editions.

🥈 Silver medallist at Para Swimming World Series

Willmer is an open medallist at the Para Swimming World Series, having taken home the silver medal in the 100m breaststroke at the 2024 Para Swimming World Series stop in Singapore.

💥 Debuted as Aquablack #275 at 2022 Para Swimming World Championships

Made his Aquablack debut at just 17 years old at the 2022 Para Swimming World Championships in Madeira, where he notably placed 4th in the SB8 100m breaststroke