He won gold and silver medals at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, becoming the first New Zealander to win an individual swimming gold medal at a British Empire or Commonwealth Games.

[3] Holman is also a swimmer of some note, having won the women's 440 yards at the New Zealand national championships in 1948.

[5] At the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games Doms won the gold medal in the men's 220 yards breaststroke — the first New Zealander to win an individual swimming championship at a British Empire and Commonwealth Games.

[2] He also won the silver medal in the men's 330 yards medley relay with teammates Lincoln Hurring and Buddy Lucas.

[2] Aged 55, Doms ran his first marathon after meeting Arthur Lydiard while playing golf.