The steady rhythm of powerful strokes cuts through the water at Yeronga Park Pool, marking the relentless dedication of Victoria Belando Nicholson. She’s a teenage para-swimmer making waves on the national and international stage, but her journey to the starting block began years earlier, shaped by events far from any swimming pool.
For Victoria, the water represents not just competition, but a place of focus and strength, built on a foundation of incredible resilience.
Finding Her Pace at Yeronga Park
It was only in 2023 that Victoria channelled her energy into competitive swimming at the welcoming Yeronga Park Swimming Club in Brisbane. Born with Fibular Hemimelia, she lacks a fibula bone in her left leg, making it 14 centimetres shorter than her right. This places her in the S9 para-swimming classification.
Taking to the high-performance lanes, she trained alongside esteemed athletes like triple Paralympic champion Rowan Crothers, guided by experienced coaches such as Toby Fitzgerald and Kate Sparkes. This supportive environment at Yeronga became the launchpad for a swift rise in the sport.
A Journey Forged Through Adversity
Victoria’s determination in the pool echoes an extraordinary personal history. Her life began amidst profound tragedy. In 2008, as a baby just six months old, she was on a refugee boat near Malta when it capsized. While Victoria survived, her mother tragically did not.
Following this devastating event, she and her sister spent two years in an orphanage before finding a permanent home and loving family with Ewan and Susanna Belando-Nicholson in Brisbane. Before dedicating herself fully to swimming, Victoria also explored her athletic talents as a keen water polo player, showcasing an early affinity for aquatic sports.
Making Impressive Strides
The transition to competitive swimming unleashed impressive potential. Within roughly a year of starting, Victoria’s talent shone brightly. In 2024, at just 16 years old, she travelled to Portugal for the European Para Swimming Championships and returned with two international medals, announcing her arrival on the world scene.
Back home, she continued her winning ways at the 2024 Australian Age Championships. Competing in the Girls’ 16- 18 multi-class events, she captured gold in both the 100 metre and 400 metre freestyle and bronze in the 50 metre freestyle for good measure.
This success earned her recognition, including being named Yeronga Park’s “Para Potential Swimmer” for her age group by Swimming Brisbane and selection for Swimming Australia’s “Future Phins” program, which identifies promising junior swimmers.
Eyes Set on Paralympic Dreams
With a growing collection of medals and accolades, Victoria Belando Nicholson now looks towards even bigger goals. The bright lights of the Paralympic Games beckon, specifically the 2028 Games in Los Angeles and, significantly, the 2032 Games set to be hosted in her home city of Brisbane.
Supported by her family and her Yeronga Park Swimming Club community, this remarkable young athlete continues to train, driven by a unique blend of talent, hard work, and a spirit that has already overcome so much. Her journey is a powerful story unfolding right here in the heart of Yeronga.
Published Date 24-April-2025
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