Sophie Pascoe is one of New Zealand's greatest sporting stars and our most successful Paralympian having won numerous gold medals at Olympic, world championship and Commonwealth Games level over the past few years.
Pascoe suffered the loss her left leg after an accident when she was three years old. Despite having a disability the youngster took to swimming like a duck to water and it became clear very early on that she possessed some natural talent that elevated her above the pack.
Beating able bodied athletes at will, Pascoe met coach Roly Crichton as a seven-year-old and began working under his tutelage. The partnership has continued right throughout her career and spurned unprecedented success.
More Stadium side
Stadium side with Hamish Bond
Stadium side with Natasha Hansen
Stadium side with Tom Walsh
While still a child Pascoe made a promise to her grandfather that she would win a gold medal and she achieved that dream on three occasions at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She went on to win a further three gold medals at each of the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics as well as picking up six silver medals over the course of three Olympics.
