Josef Craig was just 15 when he announced himself to the world at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, beating the defending champion to a gold medal in the 400m Freestyle (S7).
He went on to win the 2012 BBC Young Sports Personality of Year, was awarded an MBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours and became a World Champion.
At a recent visit to the National Lottery funded Bored in Boldon youth club, where he delivered an inspirational speech and spent time with young people, Craig, now 16, took a few minutes to speak to us about his success and how he feels it’s his duty to help inspire the next generation.
You’ve enjoyed huge success since bursting on to the international scene in 2012, what’s been the highlight of the last two years?
My personal highlight was winning gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games! I’m in a position to build on that success, to win more medals, to become more successful and that’s the point of my career as an athlete to not be complacent with what I have and always strive for more.
How important was it to follow up on your London 2012 success with more medals?
It was vital, if I’d have become complacent I would’ve lost that fire, that hunger, that determination to achieve more in my career. I’m the type of athlete who wants to get out there and win all the time and do everything I can to get that win.
How important has National Lottery Funding been in your career?
It’s been essential, because that support allows British Swimming to fund myself and others as elite athletes. It helps in so many different areas of the organisation - I can’t see one part of British Swimming where Lottery funding doesn’t reach or impact. It’s that important.
What do visits to projects like the National Lottery funded 'Bored in Boldon mean to you as an athlete?
They’re hugely important, if I can pass on my message and inspire people to achieve more in their lives then it’s great. As a gold medallist it’s given me a fantastic opportunity to do more for others.
As a Paralympic and World champion do you see inspiring the next generation of swimmers as your responsibility?
Yes, definitely, it’s my duty to do that and I really enjoy it. If I didn’t do it, it would be a bit of back hand to the community because they’ve supported me all the way! Without them; the North-East, British Swimming and the National Lottery, I’d be nothing.
Did you ever expect to be so successful at a young age?
No, not at all! But I’ve wanted to be successful my whole life, be the best in the world, but I thought it would come because of Rio 2016 not the home games of London 2012. Everything just fell into place for me.
Last year you won the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award, what did that mean to you?
It meant the absolute world to me, I’d never dreamt that I could win an award as prestigious as that. I met my hero Alan Shearer and we spoke for quite a while! I mixed with the greatest of the greats and talked to people who I’d only seen on TV and been inspired by. It was a wonderful event and I’d trade everything to do it again!
And who do you think will win it this year?
I’m not sure, there are loads of great athletes out there, but, whoever wins it is the most deserving because they would have done some great things within the sporting world.