Swimming: Leslie aiming for double as Rio beckons

The New Zealand Para-Swimming team of Cameron Leslie (left), Jesse Reynolds, Sophie Pascoe, Georgia Gray, Nikita Howarth; front, Hamish McLean and Rebecca Dubber. Photo / Supplied

Whangarei paralympian and former Northern Advocate sports editor Cameron Leslie will have a point to prove as events get under way at the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow.

With the 2016 Paralympic Games on the horizon, Leslie is looking to feature in para-swimming and wheelchair rugby in Rio - an attainable feat which has seen him up the ante in training recently.

"Priority one is the swimming but, if the schedule allows and it can be done, I do want to compete in both," he said.

Competing alongside a strong New Zealand contingent at the IPC Swimming World Championships - which consists of Leslie, Georgia Gray, Hamish McLean, Jesse Reynolds, Mary Fisher, Nikita Howarth, Rebecca Dubber and Sophie Pascoe - Leslie, the current number-one ranked swimmer in the Men's 150m Individual Medley SM4, will no doubt be hoping New Zealand can replicate their historical performances at the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships where they won 15 medals - the biggest ever medal haul by a New Zealand team at this event.

This included 12 gold medals and three world records, with the team coming fourth on the medal table.

"We have got a strong team with great depth of experience and enthusiasm," coach Jon Shaw said.

Sophie Pascoe will undoubtedly go into the world championships with high hopes after setting two world records at the Swimming NZ Open Championships this year.

Also in blistering form at the NZ Open was Leslie who swam his fastest time since the London 2012 Paralympics in the 150m individual medley.