Paige Leonhardt prepares for Para World Games in Mexico

Paige broke her first international short-course swimming world record last month in the 100 metre butterfly when she achieved a time of 1:07:07.

The previous record of 1:08:94 belonged to Sophie Pascoe of New Zealand and had been achieved in 2009.

Paige said she was very pleased with her time and her improved technique and attitude leading into the world event.

“I have only been working with my new coach for just a month and it was amazing to see the difference of experience with coaches and how well I have adapted to change in such a short period of time,” she said.

Competing at the Queensland Short Course Championships in Brisbane last month, Paige also won the 100 metre breaststroke.

She competed in three other able-bodied events, coming in the top 10 in all three.

The 16-year-old moved from Port Macquarie in January after swimming at the Paralympics in Rio last year.

She also changed swimming clubs last month to train under Robert Hindmarsh at Chandler.

A year 10 student at Carmel College, Paige was severely injured in a car crash when she was five years old.

She started swimming in 2012 as part of her rehabilitation.

Earlier last month Paige competed in 11 events over two days at the Vorgee Brisbane Short Course Championships.

She won five gold medals and came in the top 10 in all her other events.

She swam in both able-bodied and multi-class events.

Paige leaves for Mexico City on her 17^th birthday on September 21.

She said she hoped to achieve a personal best in all her events at the games.

“I don't want to be hard on myself or have expectations which might ruin the outcome,” she said.

“I am hoping to demonstrate a better technique followed with an improved time in the 100 fly and hopefully podium with a medal.”

Paige said she was motivated to be stronger and more independent and self-focused since competing in Rio.

“As long as I follow my own race plan everything will work itself out,” she said.