Bermudian para-athlete Paul Hollis scooped two gold medals in swimming at the recent Desert Challenge Games in Mesa, Arizona.

The 63-year-old double leg amputee was the first of Bermuda's team to compete which also included track and field athletes Paul Alves and Jessica Lewis and archer Sia Castle.

Hollis, who only took up competitive swimming eight months ago, competed in the 25 metres and 50 metres and won both of his events at the Games which were organised by Arizona Disabled Sports.

In the 25m, Hollis' time was 41 seconds 77, a personal best, and in the 200m he finished in 1 minute 38.05.

In track and field Alves registered much improved best times of 36.47 seconds in the 200 metres and 20.51 seconds in the 100 metres. He came 11th in both races.

He said: "My trip to Mesa, Arizona for the Desert Challenge Games was great. Although I personally went to compete in track, it was good to be able to spend some time watching other events take place."

Lewis, 17, placed second in both of her events with times of 22.44 in the 100m and a personal best of 39.34 in the 200m.

She met the elite entry standards in both events and will be allowed to compete at the USA trials next month in Miramar, Florida.

"I have to go to this meet to qualify for the World Championships in January, 2011 which will take place in New Zealand. At the Worlds I will be able to qualify for the Paralympics in London 2012. This is my ultimate goal. "

In only her second archery competition, Castle recorded an impressive total score of 416. Castle came first in the Class AR2 women's compound.

She said: "This journey was an amazing experience . . . to be able to do my very best and exceed my expectations. I'm very proud to have achieved this goal and look forward to representing Bermuda in future archery competitions."