Johannesburg swimmer with Down syndrome qualifies for world championships in Portugal

• Lorenzo Cazzavillan, a 21-year-old Johannesburg swimmer with Down syndrome, earned his spot at the world championships
• Lorenzo will compete at the 12th World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Albufeira, Portugal, in October 2026
• A BackaBuddy campaign has been launched to raise R150,000 to get Lorenzo to Portugal for his first-ever overseas trip

Lorenzo Cazzavillan did not receive an invitation to the World Championships. He earned it.

The 21-year-old Johannesburg swimmer, who has Down syndrome, has qualified for the 12th World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Albufeira, Portugal, taking place from 30 October to 7 November 2026. He will travel as part of a team entered through DISO South Africa.

His father, Max Cazzavillan, is clear on what the qualification represents. Max said:

"He's got three qualifying A times and one qualifying B time. He's put a lot of work into it, and I think he's reaping the rewards."

From the pool to the world stage

Lorenzo's connection to swimming started early. Max initially enrolled him in lessons simply for water safety. At Casa do Sol School for Special Education, a teacher noticed how much Lorenzo loved the water and encouraged the family to take his swimming further.

By around age nine, he was training beyond school. He later joined the Mandeville Dolphins squad, where his preparation became more structured. Over the past five years, his times improved steadily until he met the qualification standards for the World Championships.

Recent results reflect that progress. Lorenzo has represented Gauteng at SASA II/DS National Games over the past three years, collecting medals across multiple events. He also won silver in the 100m at the Special Olympics National Games and recorded his fastest 100m freestyle time at the South African Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg. Max said:

"To watch him achieve the times that he achieved shows that the training is starting to pay off."

The cost of getting there

Qualifying was one challenge. Funding the trip is another.

The South African team travelling to Portugal has not been endorsed by Swimming South Africa or SASCOC, which means the athletes receive no official national colours or automatic financial support. All costs, including flights, accommodation, competition fees and specialised racing gear, fall on the family. Max noted that an entry-level racing suit alone can cost around R6,500.

A BackaBuddy campaign has been launched to raise R150,000, and more than 50 people have already contributed, from members of Max's running club to parents from the Mandeville Dolphins and people who know Lorenzo through competition. Max said

"It makes you realise there are really, really good people out there.".

Portugal will also be Lorenzo's first trip abroad, and Max sees the experience as far bigger than race times. The athletes will stay together in a dedicated village environment, and Max hopes Lorenzo will build friendships with Down syndrome swimmers from across the world. He said:

"It's like a massive family. We're going to be there for eight days with people connected through Down syndrome and sport."

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Source: Briefly News

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