A highly-decorated Paralympian swimmer made a visit to a local Abergavenny car dealer last week, ahead of his sixth Paralympic Games in Rio this summer.

Sascha Kindred, 38, found time in his six-day weekly training regimen to pick up a new car from local firm Keith Davies last Friday.

Mr Kindred, who brought along two of his 12 Paralympic medals, spoke to the Chronicle about his upcoming Paralympic games in Rio, and how his own disability shaped his remarkable career.

Sascha has won a total of six Paralympic, nine World and eleven European Championship Gold medals. Another 49 in silver and bronze. In total, his haul amounts to ‘about 600’, despite being born with Cerebral Palsy.

In addition, he currently holds a number of British, European, Paralympic and World records.

Sascha’s disability affects his right arm, so he drives a vehicle with a few adaptions, but this minor detail is about as much as he allows his disability to have any say on his life.

“I was born with my disability. So, I’ve known no different. I’ve grown up with it. You just learn to adapt and manage, really.”

“It’s given me a lot of opportunities in my life. I wouldn’t change it now. If i wasn’t disabled, I might not be an Olympian and have the opportunities to travel the world and do a sport I love, for a living.

“Having my disability has given me those opportunities,” said Sascha.

The current World Champion, a title he first held at age 15, takes inspiration from his wife, Nyree, who is also a medal-hauling Paralympian swimmer. Between them, their Herefordshire home displays the glint of 22 games medals.

“With all the other medals, there must be six hundred or so in the house. I haven’t counted them, but there must be at least that much.”

“My wife is a disabled person as well. We support each other. If there’s something I can’t do, she’ll help with it, and I do the same. We just deal with it,” he said.

Although his wife is now retired, Sascha is focused on adding to the medal collection with a successful games in Rio later this summer.

As the most decorated athlete on the Great Britain team, Sascha’s training regimen sees him cut through a marathon a week. The Channel, a superhuman swim in its own right, is 21 miles.

“At the moment, I’m training eight times per week in the water. Sunday is my day off. I do about 35 to 40 kilometres per week. I’d say I swim a marathon a week,” he said.

The champion’s sporting prowess is backed up by a support network of coaches, doctors, sports scientists and, of course wife Nyree and daughter Ella, 5.

“I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the Keith Price Garage for also supporting me. Every little thing helps. I do a lot of mileage, in the car and pool, with my swimming. ??The car I’m getting helps with that. A big thank you to them as well.”

The Paralympic Games begins on September 7 this year.