What’s Happening?
Concordia Lutheran College swimmer Parun Benham has reached the 2026 Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast, after only two years in competitive swimming.
For Parun, it started with a simple feeling.
“The water is relaxing to me, it feels like second nature,” he says.
That feeling began years ago in Thailand.
“I came over from Thailand about 11 years ago,” he says. “When I was adopted, my parents took me to the pool in Thailand and I really enjoyed it. Ever since then, I’ve had a passion for swimming.”
That passion became more serious at Concordia Lutheran College. He joined TJ Swim School and later the Concordia Turbo Jets Swim Club.
“I started swimming lessons. The coach, Troy, saw the potential I had and encouraged me to enter competitions,” he says.
That changed the path he was on.
“When I started to progress, I really thought I had a shot because in the first couple of months, I was winning.”
At his first national championships, Parun delivered personal bests in both of his events.
Why It Matters?
Parun’s rise stands out because it has happened quickly. He has gone from school swimmer to national competitor in a short time.
His results at nationals also show he is not just making up the numbers. He is improving at the highest junior level in the country and already moving into strong national rankings for his age.
His story also shows what can happen when natural ability meets the right support. A coach spotted his potential early. His family kept backing him. He kept working.
“My highlight so far has been making it to nationals,” Parun says. “I really hope to get PBs and be on the podium.”
Local Impact
Parun’s progress is a proud moment for Concordia Lutheran College, TJ Swim School and the Concordia Turbo Jets Swim Club.
It puts a local student on the national stage and reflects the strength of the support around him. His parents have played a big part, encouraging him to keep aiming higher.
His first nationals have already produced results the school and club can celebrate, with two personal bests and a national ranking in the 30s for his age group.
By the Numbers
- Parun reached nationals after just two years of competitive swimming, a rapid rise for a swimmer still new to the sport.
- He trains five days a week, building endurance and race sharpness as he works to improve each event.
- At nationals, he posted PBs of 34.34 seconds in the 50 metre breaststroke and 28.98 seconds in the 50 metre butterfly.
- Those swims now place him in the 30s in Australia for the 13-year age group, a very strong return for a first national campaign.
Zoom In
Parun’s connection with the pool shapes the way he races.
“I love the feel of swimming,” he says.
That calm feeling turns into sharp focus once the race starts.
“When I’m swimming in a race, I think about trying to go faster. You aren’t aware of who is around you, so you have to think you are the only person in the race and you just swim as fast as you can.”
That mindset helped him produce two PBs on the national stage. For a swimmer competing at this level for the first time, that is a strong sign of composure and promise.
“I just swim as fast as I can,” he says.
Zoom Out
Parun’s story is about more than one meet. It is about a young athlete finding where he belongs and then improving quickly once that path became clear.
From his first swim in Thailand to racing at nationals on the Gold Coast, his progress has been steady and impressive.
His goals are already set well beyond one event.
“I want to make it to the Olympics, that’s my dream,” he says. “First though, world championships or the Commonwealth Games.”
What To Look For Next?
Parun now has a national benchmark to build from. With PBs in both events and a ranking in the 30s for his age, his next races will be a chance to keep lowering those times and pushing further up the national list.