His favourite stroke might be the freestyle, but it was in the 200-metre individual medley that Jeffrey Steiman really showed his mettle.

Steiman took home a gold medal in the event at the recent Ontario Special Olympics in Kingston, Ont.

The 22-year-old also earned medals in his favourite stroke, winning silvers in the 100-metre and 50-metre freestyle races. A bronze in the 50-metre backstroke rounded out his medal haul.

Roughly 1,000 competitors participated in the Games, which included five- and 10-pin bowling competitions, bocce and basketball.

Jeffrey swims for the North York Eels swim club, his dad, Howard, told The CJN. He’s been a swimmer since he was five. The Eels compete in local and regional events two or three times a year, and they take part in the provincial and national competitions, which  are held every four years. At the last provincials four years ago, Jeffrey took home four medals, his dad recalled.

Jeffrey trained once a week in preparing for the Ontario Games, spending 2-1/2 hours in the pool. “Like everybody else, he’s not that keen on training every week, but when it comes to the competition, he looks forward to it,” Howard said. “He loves the accolades and the medals. Jeffrey likes to win, just like any other athlete.”

In addition to swimming, Jeffrey enjoys karate and has earned a black belt. He’s competed in bowling at other Special Olympics.

He goes “spinning” on a stationary bike with his grandfather once a week, and he does some weight training as well, Howard said.

When he’s not competing in sports, Jeffrey has a job packaging bulk items, work he found through the MukiBaum Treatment Centres.