Folkestone’s Adam Brownsword has won gold at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.

Brownsword, who represents Special Olympics Camden, triumphed in the mixed doubles tennis event on Wednesday. as he was partnered with Lily Mills, from Islington, in the L6 DX01 category.

Brownsword, who was diagnosed with Autism, ADHD and Learning Difficulties as a youngster, first picked up a tennis racket at the age of 12. He continued to train regularly and joined groups where he no longer felt different.

He has continued to improve in the sport and started to train and compete regularly. He has played in many mainstream competitions and Learning Disability (LD) competitions including National Championships where has won the doubles competition twice. He was also selected for the National LD Development squad where he was a great team member, encouraging and supporting everyone else while also improving his talents.

He has flourished playing on this circuit and meeting new friends from around the country.

Colin Dyer, chief executive of Special Olympics GB, said: “We are absolutely thrilled for Adam. This is a remarkable achievement, from an exceptional athlete and person.

“Each one of our competitors has defied all odds to partake in these games and to come away with a medal caps a monumental accomplishment.

“They have undoubtedly brought immense pride to themselves, their family and their nation.”

Special Olympics GB is the largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for children and adults of all abilities with intellectual disabilities in the UK. This year, it has 82 athletes representing 17 sports at the Games, the world’s largest inclusive sporting event in 2023 with more than 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities competing across 26 sports over nine days.

The Special Olympics World Games is the largest inclusive sports event of 2023. It’s the first time Germany has hosted the games, and the aim of the Games is to help achieve greater recognition and social participation of people with intellectual disabilities.