Jesse Aungles

It took Jesse Aungles just one international appearance to prove to the world that he had what it took to become a Paralympic champion.

A breakthrough performance in the men’s 200m individual medley SM8 at the 2014 Commonwealth Games was followed by a world record in the men’s 200m backstroke S8 in 2015. Together, these results struck fear into even his most experienced opponents, who were each striving for a place on the podium at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Jesse achieved his long-held dream of becoming a Paralympian in 2016, and while a medal was just out of reach with sixth in the men’s 200m individual medley SM8, seventh in the men’s 100m backstroke S8 and men’s 100m butterfly S8, and eighth in the men’s 400m freestyle S8, he gained the international experience he needed to return to the world stage and compete like never before.

Competing in front of his family and friends at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Jesse won gold in his pet event, the 200m individual medley, and silver and bronze the following year at the 2019 World Para-swimming Championships in London, England. These efforts – not to mention his immense likeability – were recognised by his peers at the 2019 Swimming Australia Awards, where Jesse was named Swimmers’ Swimmer.

At his second Paralympic Games at Tokyo 2020, Jesse just missed the podium when he finished fourth overall in the men’s 100m backstroke S8 in a time of 1:07.09 and fourth in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB7 with a time of 1:22.06. Jesse narrowly missed the final in the men’s 100m butterfly S8, finishing fifth in his heat 100m butterfly S8 in 1:05.776. In the men’s 200m individual medley SM8, he progressed to the final to finish seventh overall with a 2:29.48.

Outside the pool, Jesse has studied a Bachelor of International Relations, Politics and Commerce at the University of Canberra.