World champion swimmer with Down syndrome is the pride of Tonga

From Matangi Tonga:

DARWIN, Australia -- World-record holder Tahnee Afuhaamango has got to be Tonga's best-kept secret. The young Tongan-Australian swimming sensation not only became the overall World Female Champion at the Down Syndrome International Swimming Organisation Championships in Portugal last December, but over the last four years she has smashed world records and won several gold medals representing Tonga.

Known as the "Territory superfish" the talented 26-year-old swimmer from Darwin, who represented Australia for the first time in Portugal, won a total of seven gold medals, two-silver and set six World Records during the Down Syndrome International Swimming Organisation DSISO Championships.

What is most amazing is that Tahnee is Down syndrome and has a physical disability on her right arm but judging from her outstanding achievements this has made this young woman stronger and more determined to become the best in her field of sport.
Tahnee was born in Townsville, Queensland to a Tongan father Leipua Afuhaamango and an Australian mother Donna.

As well as representing Australia the swimming champ has also represented Tonga twice at two international championships. The first was at during the 3rd DSISO World Championship in Ireland in 2006 where she won gold medals in the 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle and 100m individual medley as well as setting new world records.

Tahnee represented Tonga again and performed her best at the Taiwan International Invitational in 2007 where she set a world record in 50m breast stroke for Tonga.

Tahnee's other awards include being the winner of the 2006/07 Australian Northern Territory Achievers Award Sport Category and the 2007 Rotary Shine On Award for the most outstanding achievement by a person with disability.

She was also awarded a full scholarship at the Northern Territory Institute of Sport in January 2007, making her the first Down Syndrome elite athlete in Australia to receive a sport scholarship.

Tahnee's current medal tally stands at 38 gold, 23 silver and 23 bronzes as of January 2009.