Oliver (10) set new records and took gold in the under-11s 50-metre breaststroke, freestyle, butterfly and backstroke at the British Deaf Swimming Championships in Loughborough.

The Watlington youngster shaved 11 seconds off the previous butterfly record, clocking 45.06 against 56.64. In backstroke he got 42.89, the previous record was 47.61; breaststroke 53.56, against the previous record of 55.59 and his freestyle time was 35.91, against 38.88.

Oliver trains four evenings a week with Downham and District Swimming Club, where his mum, Amanda, accompanies him to translate the coach's instructions into sign language.

Oliver, of Thieves Bridge Road, said: "I love swimming especially at competition. I like to get personal bests and trophies.

"British Deaf Swimming is especially good as all the coaches use sign language. I hope to be in the Deaflympics swimming team when I am old enough."

Great Britain Deaf Swimming director Vincent Dickson believes as well as standing a chance of selection for the Deaflympic Team in 2013, at the minimum age allowable of 12, Oliver may also be in line for selection for the World Deaf Championships in 2011.

Mr Dickson said: "Oliver is a strong swimmer and should his club concentrate on his technique at all times, he will get a lot better as the years progress. We look forward to the day when he reaches his potential to compete in major deaf internationals."

Profoundly deaf Oliver, a pupil at mainstream Watlington Primary School, does have some hearing with a cochlear implant, but cannot wear the device when he is in the water.

Oliver is a keen all-round sportsman and competes in hearing swimming contests, where he is given the start signal via light instead of buzzer. He also plays football with Watlington Youth Football Club, where he uses lip-reading skills to get by, is a good runner and regularly competed in athletics before time commitments meant he had to ease off.

Mum Amanda (48) said: "He is very competitive and very able in all sports, which helps his self-confidence. This gives him the chance to be as good as or better than others."