Anthony Walker of the Upper East Region left State Summer Games presented by Rockit apple with some new medals to add to his collection. The three-time gold medal winner shared the highlights of his swimming career and his passion for the sport.
Walker has been in the pool for 14 years and is still as passionate about swimming as he was in the beginning. His favorite event is the 200-meter individual medley, where he showcases his strengths in each stroke (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle). Walker also specializes in the 500-meter freestyle and occasionally the mile races, both of which he swam in high school. With Dobbyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tennessee, Walker excelled on the swim team.
“I qualified for state in Nashville three times and for the 200 IM and the 500," said Walker." In 2019, I got second overall.”
Currently, Walker practices daily with the YMCA Masters Swim Team in long-course training. Long-course swimming is completed in a longer pool, where a single length is 50 meters. Short course, on the other hand, is done in a pool that is 25 meters in length. Walker prefers short course over long course because there are more swim meets that he can compete in. However, long-course training gives him a challenge and keeps him doing his favorite thing, swimming.
“I’m in my 20s right now — I’m trying to swim my best ever," said Walker.
Anthony Walker represented Area 3, Upper East Region, at 2023 State Summer Games at Lipscomb University. He competed in the 200-meter freestyle, 50-meter butterfly and 100-meter individual medley, winning gold in each. During one of his races, Walker’s goggles were not secured tight enough causing them to fall after diving in the pool. However, he persisted and came out victorious in the end. Walker was determined to do his best at State Summer Games, and he displayed his swimming skills in the water at the Williamson County Indoor Sports Complex.
At State Summer Games, Walker also participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to kick off the weekend. He ran with approximately 30 police officers through Lipscomb University to light the “big giant Special Olympics torch” at the end. He highlights this experience, as well as the Victory Celebration that closed the Games. Walker notes how much enjoyed dancing with new and old friends on the dance floor.
Aside from swimming, Walker enjoys competing in triathlons and running. He plans to compete in the Crazy 8s Road Race in Kingsport, Tennessee, here in a few short weeks. This race is referred to as the “World’s Fastest 8K,” which excited Walker to participate. In the future, he hopes to have the opportunity to swim at both Special Olympics USA Games and World Games. He also enjoys watching NASCAR races and dreams to visit each of the tracks around the country.
Congratulations, Anthony, on your accomplishments in your swimming career! We wish you the best of luck at Crazy 8s and in future competitions.
