Tupou Seini Neiufi was 10 years old when she first watched Paralympian Sophie Pascoe in action.
Five years on, and the Auckland teen is now competing alongside her idol in this year's 2016 Paralympics in Rio De Janeiro next month.
Tupou was just 2 years old when she was hit by a speeding car.
It resulted in a traumatic brain injury and left her paralysed down her left side.
But it was watching Pascoe compete when Neiufi was aged 10 that inspired her to hit the water.