At 17, Jordan Catchpole already holds several swimming records and now has his sights set on competing at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Eastern Daily Press: Jordan Catchpole in the pool. Picture: Claire Brierly.Jordan Catchpole in the pool. Picture: Claire Brierly. (Image: Archant)

The Beccles teenager is part of the British Swimming World Class Podium Potential Programme, and trains eight times a week with the City of Norwich Swimming Club.

He started lessons at the age of four and soon joined Lowestoft and Oulton Broad Swimming Club where his coaches saw potential as a competitive swimmer.

Eastern Daily Press: Jordan Catchpole ready to race. Picture: Claire Brierly.Jordan Catchpole ready to race. Picture: Claire Brierly. (Image: Archant)

At 14-years-old Jordan was diagnosed with autism and learning difficulties and now competes in the S14 classification, which is for swimmers with an intellectual impairment.

He competed in his first para event in March 2015 in Manchester, and now travels all over the country for swimming meets.

Eastern Daily Press: Paralympic swimmer Jordan Catchpole from Beccles. Picture : ANTONY KELLYParalympic swimmer Jordan Catchpole from Beccles. Picture : ANTONY KELLY (Image: archant 2017)

He recently went to Berlin for the German International Swimming Championships, where he set a new S14 world record in the 200m backstroke and broke his own S14 British record in the 50m backstroke. He also set a new personal best in the 400m freestyle.

Now he is aiming to qualify for the World Para Swimming Championships in Mexico in September as well as the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Eastern Daily Press: A young Jordan Catchpole competing in the pool. Picture: Claire Brierly.A young Jordan Catchpole competing in the pool. Picture: Claire Brierly. (Image: Archant)

Jordan said: 'My favourite race is the 100m backstroke because it has always been my main stroke for as long as I have been swimming.

'I'm feeling really relaxed about it. But I would be really happy if I qualified.'

Jordan's main goal is to represent Great Britain at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, and as part of the podium programme his dream is in sight.

Mum Claire Brierly said: 'It is a huge thing to be selected for the programme and it gives him a better opportunity to have top British swimming coaches helping him train. We are absolutely over the moon and couldn't be more proud of him.

'As long as he keeps working hard, stays focuse#d and enjoys it then that's the main thing. He enjoys every minute in the pool.'

Jordan receives support from Sports Aid and sponsorship from local businesses, but is always on the look-out for new sponsors. Anyone interested can email Jordan's dad Pete at peterbrierly@btinternet.com.