THIRTEEN-year-old Daniel Phillips is preparing to represent Australia at the Virtus World Athletics Championships in Brisbane this October – a remarkable achievement for a young athlete who has overcome extraordinary challenges since birth.
Born with a rare chromosome disorder that caused a permanent intellectual impairment, he was non-verbal until the age of seven and has faced a long journey of setbacks and difficulties.
“When he was born, we never thought this was possible,” said his father Ash Phillips.
“But through sheer determination and a love for sport, Daniel has turned adversity into achievement.”
Daniel began athletics just three years ago to improve his health and fitness. At the time, he weighed 70kg and struggled with physical activity.
“He was still trying, but he’d cry before high jump and ran the 800m in 16 minutes,” Mr Phillips said.
Losing 17kg in three months, Daniel began a transformation that sparked new confidence and a desire to compete.
Now classified as a T20 para-athlete, Daniel has emerged as one of the country’s brightest young talents in para-athletics. He is a four-time national champion and currently holds three Australian records in his age group and classification.
At the 2025 Australian Athletics Championships in Perth, Daniel dominated the U15 boys’ para events, winning gold in the 100m, 400m, 800m and long jump. In the 400m, he broke his own national T20 record with a time of 59.47 seconds.
“The whole journey has changed him,” Mr Phillips said. “He used to be shy, hated himself, and hated his body. Now, he’s confident, he loves to compete, and he’s excited about the future.”
Daniel now dreams of breaking the world record in the T20 200m. While early predictions placed him as a contender for the 2032 Paralympic Games in Brisbane, his rapid progress has many believing he could make it to the 2028 Games.
Despite the excitement of representing his country, the opportunity comes with significant financial pressure – a team levy of $4300 for expenses related to the week-long competition. To help meet these costs, the Phillips family has launched a GoFundMe campaign.
“We’re doing everything we can to give Daniel this opportunity,” Mr Phillips said.
“Every dollar raised goes directly toward helping him compete. We’re incredibly proud of what he’s achieved, and we’re hopeful the community can help us take that next step.”
To support Daniel’s journey to the Virtus World Championships, visit: gofundme.com/f/help-my-13-year-old-disabled-son-represent-australia-in-2025.
