Poland’s Juliusz Trochimczuk claimed the "Sir Ludwig Guttmann Paraplegic Sports Federation Wheelchair Athlete with International Potential" award ©IWAS

The United States’ Aubrey Headon and Poland’s Juliusz Trochimczuk have received awards for their "incredible"performances at the 2018 International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) Youth World Games in Athlone in Ireland.

Headon, a T35 athlete, celebrated long jump gold with an Americas record leap of 2.56 metres in the women’s under-20 category.

The 18-year-old was handed the "IWAS Ambulant Athlete with International Potential" award as a result of her triumph.

Trochimczuk, a 15-year-old S1 swimmer, claimed the "Sir Ludwig Guttmann Paraplegic Sports Federation Wheelchair Athlete with International Potential" award after winning the 50 and 100 metres freestyle and 50m backstroke.

Both athletes also received £700 ($930/€800) towards their participation at a future IWAS World Games.

Around 165 athletes from 16 countries in total made the journey to Athlone.

They competed in mixed class events separated into age groups in athletics, swimming and table tennis.

The 2018 IWAS Youth World Games took place from July 2 to 5 ©IWAS/Twitter
The 2018 IWAS Youth World Games took place from July 2 to 5 ©IWAS/Twitter

Elsewhere in athletics, Germany’s T54 racer Tristan Joshua Ademes took the top spot four times in three days.

He was the winner in the men’s 5,000m under-20/23, 100m, 800m and 200m under-20, and also bagged a silver medal in the 400m.

Ademes' team-mate Merle Marie Menje, also a T54 athlete, grabbed wins in the 800m under-17/20, 100m under-20, 200m under-17/20 and 400m under-20.

Thailand’s Pongsakorn Paeyo, a T53 racer, did a track double in the men’s 200m and 400m under-23, while the US’s Miguel Jimenez Vergara retained his title in the men's 400m under-20 T54.

Out in the field, South Africa's Simone Kruger won gold in the women’s discus and shot put under-17 F38.

Croatia's 17-year-old Erik Fabian Kaurin secured the win in the men's shot put and bronze in the discus under-20 F46.

In the pool, American S10 swimmer Lauren Gates claimed a hat-trick of gold medals in the women’s 100m and 50m freestyle and 100m backstroke for the 16 to 19 age group.

Poland’s Zusanna Boruszewska swam three impressive races to lead the women's 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle and 200m individual medley S9 for the 14 to 15 age group.

Thailand’s Phucit Aingchaiyaphum retained two of his titles in the men’s 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke S6.

He also took the silver medal in the 50m freestyle for the 17-to-19 age group.

Dario Buric of Croatia left with two gold medals in the men’s 100m and 50m freestyle S10.

Swimming was one of the three sports on the programme ©IWAS/Twitter
Swimming was one of the three sports on the programme ©IWAS/Twitter

Thailand, meanwhile, enjoyed a large gold medal haul across table tennis events. 

Panwas Sringham secured victory in the women’s single class 3 to 5, while team-mates Yuttajak Glinbancheun and Kamon Sayjan also came out on top in the men’s single class two to three and four to five, respectively.

Master Parinya Punkaew rounded off the singles golds for Thailand in the men’s class nine to 10.

Glinbancheun, already a Paralympian at the age of 21, also took open gold, while Punkaew did the same.

Sringham also doubled up in the women’s

Ioana Monica Tepelea claimed two golds for Romania in the women’s single and open class 6 to 10.