Holly Bocking Coggeshall swimmer Team GB World Down Syndrome

Holly Bocking, 21, flew to Albufeira, in Portugal, for the championships, where she managed to get to the finals of the 200-metre backstroke.

She has been competing for the country for years and began swimming when she was just five or six years old.

She trains with the Colchester Phoenix Amateur Swimming Club five times a week and is proud to compete for her country.

She finished in eighth place and got a personal best time in the competition.

She previously competed at a tournament in Paris and won a bronze medal in a relay race in 2018.

She also recently travelled to the K2 in Crawley, where she took part in the British Championships.

She won two bronze medals in the 50 metre breaststroke and 200 metre backstroke events.

Holly (right) with her tutor Cherese Bradnum at Suffolk Rural (Image: Suffolk Rural)

Mum Gill said: “Holly started swimming at the age of five or six.

“At about the age of 11, we met someone from the DSS-GB and they told us that her times were of a great standard and she should compete at a higher level.

“Holly has been in various competitions and she always does her best.

“It’s been a great and empowering experience for her.

“Her family and friends are so proud of her efforts.”

Holly competing for Team GB (Image: Gill Bocking)

She is currently studying on an inclusive learning course at Suffolk New College’s Suffolk Rural campus.

Her classmates and teachers have been keeping an eye on all of her achievements and following her progress in between lessons and on social media.

Inclusive learning lecturer Cherese Bradnum said: “Holly is an amazing student and athlete, and we are all delighted for her.

“The class sent her a good luck card before Portugal and when she returned from the competition, we all gave her a standing ovation and round of applause.

“To see the pride in her eyes when she showed the class her GB team kit was something to behold.”