Virtus is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Suzie Lemmey and Dr. Mohammad Hadi Hadizadeh as our new Eligibility Managers, strengthening our eligibility system for athletes with an intellectual impairment.

The Eligibility Manager role is central to the delivery of Virtus’ athlete eligibility process. Working alongside the Head of Eligibility and the Eligibility Committee, Suzie and Hadi will ensure that Virtus continues to uphold the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and athlete support.

Both Suzie and Hadi have been working with Virtus voluntarily and with athletes with an intellectual impairment for more than a decade now, and will be adding great value to the Virtus management team.

Suzie Lemmey

Dr. Suzie has been part of Virtus voluntarily for nearly a decade, playing an instrumental role in establishing the II2 group in 2016 during her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She went on to contribute to the Eligibility Panel and, from January 2023, served as a Lead Eligibility Officer. She now steps into her new joint role as Eligibility Manager with a focus on building and maintaining the II1 and II2 groups, while also developing and delivering eligibility education.

Beyond Virtus, Suzie is a Senior Clinical Psychologist with the NHS in London, UK, where she works to promote inclusion for people with intellectual impairments and neurodivergent individuals. She also volunteers as an II Classifier with World Para Swimming, gaining first-hand insight into the impact of fair eligibility on athletes competing globally.

Outside of her professional life, Suzie enjoys long countryside walks with her German Shepherd, Storm.

“I’m delighted to be appointed, jointly with Hadi, as the Virtus Eligibility Manager. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next few years will bring us as we can dedicate our time and passion to this essential part of disability sport”, said Suzie.

Dr. Mohammad Hadi Hadizadeh

Dr. Mohammad Hadi Hadizadeh is a licensed psychologist with a PhD in Psychology, specialising in clinical assessment and sport psychology. Since 2016, he has supported athletes and individuals with disabilities through clinical practice, assessment, and applied sport psychology. He has served as an eligibility expert for his national federation, contributed to classification decisions, and previously managed the Sports Psychology Committee for the National Paralympic Committee.

His experience spans consulting for multiple para sports, including Football 5-a-Side, Track and Field, Judo, Rowing, Archery, and Tennis, where he emphasises mental resilience and performance optimisation.

Since 2014, Hadi has been a registered psychologist and, since 2018, has served as an International Intellectual Impairment (II) Classifier, as well as a member of the Virtus Eligibility Panel for II3. He brings deep expertise in evidence-based practice, ethical care, and assessment standards, ensuring fairness and consistency in athlete classification worldwide.

“I am dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and contributing to advancing assessment standards in the field. My work with Virtus will allow me to combine my expertise in psychology with my passion for sport and inclusion”, said Dr. Hadi.

Their responsibilities include advising on eligibility policy and best practice, managing eligibility panels, supporting athlete assessments, liaising with National Eligibility Officers worldwide, and ensuring compliance with the IPC Classification Code. They will also play a vital role in strengthening partnerships with International Federations to support eligibility processes across sports.

Their combined expertise will help ensure that athletes with intellectual impairments can continue to compete on a fair and equal basis, with opportunities to shine on the world stage.

Virtus congratulates Suzie and Hadi on their appointments and looks forward to the impact they will make in shaping the future of eligibility in sport.

The momentum at the 2025 Virtus World Swimming Championships in Bangkok shows no sign of slowing down. After an incredible 15 world records were broken in the first two days, Day 3 brought even more fireworks in the pool, with stars from across the globe continuing to rewrite history.

Axel Parisot and Kate Wallington Lead the Charge

French swimming sensation Axel Parisot claimed his fourth Virtus World Record of the Championships with a dominant swim in the II3 Men’s 1500m Freestyle, clocking 16:42.07.

Australia’s unstoppable Kate Wallington continued her record-breaking spree, earning her fourth and fifth Virtus World Records:

• II3 Women’s 1500m Freestyle in 18:02.76, her favourite event.

• II3 Women’s 100m Breaststroke with 1:20.88, further cementing her status as one of the standout athletes of Bangkok 2025.

New Stars Shine

Alexander Hejaij (centre) posing for photos with fellow teammates at #Bangkok2025

Alexander Hejaij announced his arrival in spectacular fashion, setting a Virtus World Record in the II3 Men’s 50m Backstroke with 30.85 in the heats. He then outdid himself in the finals, lowering the mark to an incredible 30.32 seconds.

Relay Glory

The relays added to the drama with two more Virtus World Records:

• France’s II3 Men’s 4x50m Medley Relay team stormed to victory in the heats with 2:01.84.

• Australia’s II3 Women’s 4x50m Medley Relay squad matched the feat in style, setting a new standard of 2:15.34.

Yamaguchi and Japan Make History

Winners from the II1 Men’s 4x50m Medley Relay team, Brazil, Japan and Hong Kong (L-R)

Japan’s superstar Naohide Yamaguchi delivered another masterclass, shattering not just the Virtus World Record but also setting a World Para Swimming Record in the II1 Men’s 100m Breaststroke, with a blistering 1:02.53.

The celebrations continued as the Japanese II1 Men’s 4x50m Medley Relay team touched the wall in 1:49.96, adding yet another Virtus World Record to their tally.

Day 3 proved once again why Bangkok 2025 is already being called one of the most memorable Virtus World Swimming Championships ever. From seasoned champions to new stars, every race is adding to the legacy of inclusion, excellence, and record-breaking achievement.

The 2025 Virtus World Swimming Championships opened in grand style today at Assumption University in Bangkok, bringing together athletes, officials, and delegates from 31 nations for what promises to be a historic celebration of sport and inclusion.

The ceremony was graced by distinguished guests including Major General Osoth Bhavilai, President of the ASEAN Para Sport Federation, Paul Charnvit, President of Virtus Thailand, as well as Board members of Virtus and Virtus Asia.

Athletes proudly marched into the arena representing 31 nations: Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Neutral Virtus Athletes, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States.

Synchronise swimming performance at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Virtus World Swimming Championships. Photo credit: Virtus Thailand/SAIT

The opening ceremony reflected both local tradition and global spirit. Children with Down syndrome and intellectual impairment from a local school delighted the audience with a traditional Thai dance, followed by a rousing performance from legendary Thai pop star Tik Shiro. The festivities concluded with a stunning artistic swimming display by Thai athletes, showcasing the host nation’s rich cultural and sporting talent.

In his opening remarks, Barry Holman, Secretary General of Virtus, praised the athletes and the Thai organisers:

“This championship is about far more than medals. It is about celebrating excellence, unity, and the power of opportunity. Already this morning, seven world records have been broken — a remarkable testament to the talent, determination, and spirit of these swimmers. This event sets a new benchmark for Virtus competitions worldwide, from the exceptional venue and warm hospitality to the cutting-edge live-streaming technology. On behalf of Virtus, I extend our heartfelt thanks to Virtus Thailand and our valued sponsors who have made this possible.”

(R-L) Paul Charnvit – President of Virtus Thailand, Barry Holman – Secretary General of Virtus, Major General Osoth Bhavilai – President of the ASEAN Para Sport Federation, Robyn Smith OAM, Virtus and IPC Board member, Patrick Chan, Virtus Asia President. 

Paul Charnvit, President of Virtus Asia, emphasised the importance of the championship for the region:

“We are proud to provide a platform where athletes with an intellectual impairment can showcase their talent and inspire the world. With the support of the ASEAN Para Sport Federation, the Sports Authority of Thailand, and our venue partners, this championship is proof of what collaboration can achieve.”

Major General Osoth Bhavilai echoed the same spirit of inclusion:

“We are proud to witness athletes with an intellectual impairment being given the recognition and opportunities they deserve. This championship highlights not only athletic excellence but also the inclusive spirit that unites our region.”

With records already falling on the opening day and the stage set for more thrilling performances, the Bangkok 2025 Virtus World Swimming Championships are shaping up to be an unforgettable celebration of sport, inclusion, and human potential.

Virtus World Records Fall on Day One of #Bangkok2025

Day one of the 2025 Virtus World Swimming Championships in Bangkok saw a cascade of world records across the II1, II2, and II3 categories, with athletes not only rewriting history in the heats but also bettering their own marks in the finals.

In the II1 category, Japan’s Naohide Yamaguchi electrified the pool with a Virtus world record of 29.62 seconds in the 50m Breaststroke heats. He went on to lower the mark again in the finals with a sensational 29.02 seconds, underlining his dominance.

The II2 category brought another standout moment as Camino Martinez of Spain stormed to victory in the 400m Freestyle, setting a new world record of 6:01.93.  The South African women’s II2 team thrashed the Virtus world Record for the 4x100m Freestyle Relay with 6:09.42.

The II3 category produced a flurry of records. Axel Parisot (France) set the pace with a 4:10.05 Virtus world record in the 400m Freestyle, while Australia’s Kate Wallington not only claimed the women’s 400m Freestyle world record (4:34.87) but added another in the 50m Breaststroke (37.04). Reflecting on her milestone swims, Wallington shared:

“I’ve spent my entire swimming career criticising myself but today, all I am is proud.”

Fellow Australian Ella Hoye battled through illness to seize the 100m Backstroke Virtus world record in 1:12.57, saying:

“I felt horrible as I’ve been sick all week, but all the training I’ve done went to plan.”

Australia’s dominance continued with Morgan Hill, who broke the 100m Backstroke record in the heats (1:06.52) before lowering it again in the finals to 1:06.45. To cap off an extraordinary day, the Australian Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay team stormed home in 3:56.76, setting yet another world record.

Phakhawat Kumarasing landed the nation’s it’s first gold medal for Thailand 400m Freestyle

With records falling across every classification, the opening day showcased not only the depth of talent within Virtus sport but also the resilience, pride, and determination of athletes competing on the world stage.

Follow Virtus on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated.

Official results can be accessed from here.

Watch the livestream on Virtus’ YouTube channel.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has launched the Para Athlete Professionals training course, inviting up to 20 retiring Paralympians to join its first cohort. Applications are open until 31 August 2025, with the programme starting later this year.

Part of the IPC’s Sport for Mobility initiative, this four-year programme aims to empower Paralympians to become influential leaders, innovators, and advocates within and beyond the Paralympic Movement. Each year until 2028, a cohort of up to 20 athletes will receive in-person and online training, with a focus on inclusion, gender balance, regional diversity, and representation across different disabilities.

The course is built around six key areas:

• Leadership and self-awareness

• Career readiness

• Digital, financial, and business literacy

• Public speaking and advocacy

• Industry awareness and networking

• Legacy building and long-term impact

Mike Peters, IPC Chief Executive Officer and a two-time Paralympian, described retirement from elite sport as a profound shift — a move from a hard-earned finish line to a brand-new starting point. He acknowledged that while the transition can be challenging, it also offers a powerful opportunity for Paralympians to evolve from athletes on the field to influential leaders in their professional lives, contributing to the next generation of the Paralympic Movement and beyond.

“Through Para Athlete Professionals, we are equipping retiring Paralympians with tools to lead, influence, and innovate in new arenas. Whether it is in areas of sport administration, advocacy, or community leadership, their voices and perspectives are essential to shaping a more inclusive world. This initiative is not just about career development, it is about realising our collective future and ensuring that the Paralympic Movement will continue to be powered by those who know it best.”

Over the programme’s duration, participants will gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make a lasting impact in sport administration, advocacy, and community leadership.

Application deadline: 31 August 2025
Programme start: End of 2025

For more information, please refer to the Para Athlete Professionals Guidelines 2025. To apply, please visit the Para Athlete Professional Training Course Application Form