Overcoming strong competition from more than 20 other national finalists, Fisher was handed the Youth Award category and was then selected from the winners of the eight award categories to win the overall Attitude ACC Supreme Award.

She was also a finalist in the Sport Performer of the Year Award category.

Fisher secured the award on the back of incredible feats both in and out of her sport.

Despite being born without irises in both her eyes, causing only limited light perception, the 21-year-old swimmer brought home a gold medal, two silvers and a bronze at London 2012.

She also won five gold medals and a silver at the International Paralympic Committee World Championships in Montreal last year.

She followed that up with six gold medals at this year's Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships in California, setting four Oceania records in the process.

In between her gruelling training programme and competitive events, Fisher supports other young developing swimmers and has been a youth mentor at the Blind Foundation since 2007.

She works with visually-impaired teenagers and their families, and even gives them an insight into the possibilities of independent living by inviting them to visit her Newtown student flat.

Even in winning, Fisher was simply hopeful that "we can change people's perceptions and prove that with the right mind-set and support networks people with impairments can achieve exceptional things across all areas," giving more praise to her selfless work as a Paralympic star.

New Zealand swimmer Mary Fisher was one of the stars if London 2012 after she picked up four medals, including a gold ©Getty Images



Other Paralympians and Para-athletes who won awards on the evening, which were held at Auckland's Viaduct Events Centre, included:

• Corey Peters - Sport Performer of the Year
• Craig Jessop - Spirit of Attitude
• Lyn Cotton - Making A Difference
• Matthew Weir - Courage In Sport
• Paul Barrett - Artistic Achievement
• Selwyn Cook, SSC Service Stations - ACC Employer Award
• Muskan Devta – Junior Award

John Baldwin Munro was also inducted in the Attitude Hall of Fame.

Following the awards evening, Fiona Allan, chief executive of Paralympics New Zealand said:"This year's Attitude Awards were a celebration of inspirational disabled New Zealanders and highlighted the outstanding achievements of our Para-Athletes and Paralympians.

"Paralympians Mary Fisher and Corey Peters are world class athletes and that was recognised last night at the highest level, topped off with Mary winning the overall Attitude ACC Supreme

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2013: Golden girl leads strong performance for New Zealand in build up to World Championships
March 2013: New Zealand Paralympic stars Pascoe and Fisher smash world records at national championships
March 2013: Paralympic swimmer Fisher recognised as "Future Star"