Anakie Fire Brigade member John Mangrum brought home a swag of medals from the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) in Alabama, USA.
The WPFG are a biennial Olympic-style competition with thousands of athletes representing first responders from many countries across the world.
Competitors represent law enforcement, firefighters, and officers from corrections, probation, border protection, immigration, and customs.
There are typically more than 60 sports in the program at the games ranging from swimming events to axe throwing.
Mangrum has been attending the games since 2019 and said he loves that he can combine his love of sport with being a firefighter.
“Sport is a way of life,” he said.
“And being a firefighter is even better, I love it.”
In Alabama, Mangrum competed in a number of swimming events including butterfly, backstroke, and the relay.
He also joined the South Australian Police Force dragon boating team, and even stood in for Canada and India in their teams.
Despite battling some health issues John has always bounced back and found great success at the games.
This year he brought home nine medals; three in dragonboat racing (two gold and one silver) and six in his swimming events (two gold, three silver and one bronze).
“I plan my travel based around where the games are,” Mangrum said.
“It keeps me training and it keeps me fit but you also develop really strong friendships and you keep in touch throughout the year, and then you see each other at the games and it is really special.”
