Sophie Pascoe

Sophie Pascoe established herself as New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympian through an exceptional career in para-swimming, marked by numerous world records and Paralympic gold medals. After securing a bronze medal at the IPC Swimming World Championships in South Africa in 2006, Sophie Pascoe went on to establish herself as New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympian through an exceptional career in para-swimming. At the 2008 Beijing Summer Paralympics, Pascoe earned three gold medals in the 100m breaststroke SB9, 200m individual medley SM10, and 100m backstroke S10 (shared gold), alongside a silver in the 100m butterfly S10, becoming New Zealand’s youngest Paralympian and medal winner. She continued this impressive trajectory, capturing seven medals at the 2009 IPC World Short Course Championships and five medals at the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in para-sport.

In 2022, she secured another gold medal in the 100m freestyle S9 event at the Commonwealth Games. With an unparalleled collection of 11 Paralympic gold medals, seven silver, and one bronze, five Commonwealth Games gold medals, and numerous World Para Swimming Championship titles, Sophie Pascoe announced her retirement from competitive swimming, effective January 30, 2025, after a career defined by breaking barriers and setting new standards in para-swimming.