York swimmer Nathan Carrington qualifies for Tokyo Deaflympic games

A York swimmer has reached exceptional heights in the pool to qualify for this year’s Deaflympic – the international multi-sport event for elite deaf athletes – and is now raising money to realise his dream of competing at the games in Tokyo.

17-year-old Nathan Carrington, who swims for York City Baths Club (YCBC), has been breaking British deaf swimming age group records since the age of ten. At just 14, he became Junior champion in every stroke, and Open Age champion in breaststroke. Since then, Nathan has been the standout deaf breaststroke swimmer, winning the national title for a fourth consecutive year at the recent 2025 GB Deaf Championships.

Despite Nathan’s success and a wealth of talented GB deaf swimmers, deaf athletes receive no funding unlike regular and para-athletes, so the full financial burden of competing falls on them. Fundraising has already begun to ensure that Nathan can travel to the games in Japan this November. Nathan’s father, Dave Carrington, himself a swimming coach, said of Nathan: “He’s worked unbelievably hard.

Watching him make the required qualifying times for the Deaflympics while juggling the demands of his studies has made us exceptionally proud parents. "It’s been an amazing but tough journey.” Nathan, who is also Captain for the GB Deaf Swimming Team, is humble about his achievements, saying: “I’m really proud to be able to represent Team GB and am very excited to take part in the Deaflympics in Tokyo.

" You can donate to Nathan’s fund . Any corporate sponsors interested in supporting a talented young York athlete as he competes on the global stage can contact Dave at [email protected].

Nathan himself moved up through the ranks of the YCBC, from learning to swim in the teaching section as a young child, to progressing along the club’s training pathway. He’s also become a mentor to fellow YCBC deaf swimmer, Hannah Wray, who herself is a multiple GB Deaf champion. Dave recognises the importance of this nurturing environment: “We’ve had great support from everyone at YCBC; the swimmers, parents and coaches, especially Head Coach, Josh Spencer.

"He’s been superb with Nathan, playing a massive role in his success so far.” For anyone interested in getting involved with swimming in the city, you can find out more about YCBC ..