Lakeisha ‘Lucky’ Patterson has proven that commitment and opportunity – rather than luck – are what has built her career. Beginning her career in 2013, Lucky first pulled on the green and gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. At the 2015 World Championships, she returned with one gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Lucky attended her first Paralympics in Rio 2016, and was the first Australian to be crowned champion, winning a gold medal in the Women’s 400m Freestyle (S8) with a new world record of 4:40:33. Alongside Ellie Cole, Lucky won more medals than any Australian athlete, with two gold, three silver and one bronze in total. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Lucky again won gold in the Women’s 400m Freestyle (S9). She has been selected to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

She has epilepsy and cerebral palsy.

CLASSIFICATIONS: S9, SB8, SM9