Isle of Wight swimmer Zac Lacey has secured his third consecutive world title after winning gold in the T21 200m butterfly in Portugal.
The 26-year-old from Ryde claimed victory on day 5 of the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Albufeira on Friday (6th November), adding to his previous triumphs in 2022 and 2024.
Heading into the final with the second-fastest qualifying time, Zac held his nerve and executed his race plan to perfection, taking control from start to finish.
The Seaclose Swimming Club athlete touched the wall in 2:59.43, finishing 4.16 seconds ahead of Portugal’s A. Almeida, who claimed silver in 3:03.59. Mexico’s S. Martinez Arellano took bronze in 3:12.32.
The victory completes an impressive hat-trick of world titles in his favourite event, cementing Zac’s position as one of the most successful swimmers in the T21 200m butterfly.
His latest success comes almost exactly a year after he was appointed captain of the Great Britain Down Syndrome swimming team in November 2025, fulfilling a long-held ambition. His captaincy is set to continue until 2027.
Zac has represented Great Britain internationally since 2016 and has built an impressive collection of medals and records throughout his swimming career.
He claimed his first world 200m butterfly title in Portugal in 2022, setting a time of 2:54.86 which remains the T21 senior world record, before successfully defending his crown in Antalya, Turkey, in 2024.
His achievements also include being named Down Syndrome Swimming Great Britain’s Swimmer of the Year in 2023.
At the 2025 European Championships, Zac retained his 200m butterfly title and collected 8 medals, including 3 golds, further adding to his impressive international medal tally.
