Iona Winnifrith Wikipedia, Biography, Disability, Age, Medals, Paralympics, School, Parents, Family

Iona Winnifrith Biography

Iona Winnifrith is a 13-year-old British Paralympic swimmer who recently made headlines for winning a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke SB7 at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris. This achievement made her the youngest British Paralympic medallist in swimming since Abby Kane.

Winnifrith had an impressive year, also winning two gold medals at the 2024 European Championships in the SB7 100m breaststroke and SM7 200m individual medley, along with a bronze in the S7 50m butterfly.

Iona trains under coach Michael Ellis at the Tonbridge Swimming Club, and she has been involved in swimming since the age of five. Outside of her swimming career, she enjoys participating in youth theatre and spending time with her two dogs.

Iona Winnifrith Age

Iona Winnifrith was born on April 11, 2011, making her 13 years old as of 2024.

Iona Winnifrith Hometown

Iona is from Tonbridge, Kent, England.

Iona Winnifrith Disability

Iona Winnifrith competes in para-swimming in the SB7 category, which is for athletes with physical impairments that affect their limbs. She has been classified under the S7 and SB7 categories, meaning her physical impairment primarily impacts her arms and legs.

Iona Winnifrith Mother

Iona Winnifrith’s mother is named Gillian Winnifrith. She has been very supportive of Iona’s swimming career, even taking her to ‘Mother and Baby’ swimming groups from a young age.

Iona Winnifrith Brother

Iona Winnifrith has a younger brother named Tom Winnifrith. He has also been involved in swimming, following in his sister’s footsteps.

Iona Winnifrith Career

Iona Winnifrith’s swimming career has been nothing short of remarkable, especially considering her young age. Born in 2011 in Tonbridge, Kent, Iona was introduced to swimming at an early age, initially watching her brothers train. By the age of five, she had joined the Tonbridge Swimming Club and quickly showed promise in para-swimming, a sport designed for athletes with physical impairments. Her disability classification is SB7, which covers athletes whose impairments primarily affect their limbs, particularly the arms and legs.

In 2024, Iona made a significant mark in international swimming at just 13 years old. She secured two gold medals at the Para Swimming European Championships in Madeira, Portugal, winning the SB7 100m breaststroke and SM7 200m individual medley, along with a bronze in the S7 50m butterfly. These early victories positioned her as a rising star in para-swimming, earning her a spot on the British team for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

At the Paris Paralympics, Iona became the youngest British swimmer to win a Paralympic medal since 2016. Competing in the SB7 100m breaststroke, she secured a silver medal, a historic achievement that made her one of the youngest medallists at the Games. Her performance was widely praised, as she maintained a strong second position throughout the race, demonstrating both skill and determination on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Iona’s dedication to swimming is clear, but she also balances her sporting career with other interests. Outside the pool, she is involved in youth theatre and school productions, showing her love for performing arts. Despite her young age, she manages a busy schedule of training, school, and other activities, supported by her coach, Michael Ellis, at the Tonbridge Swimming Club.

Iona Winnifrith Medals