By Tom Degun

Sophie Pascoe_on_starting_blocksDecember 8 – Paralympic swimming star Sophie Pascoe has been crowned Sports Performer of the Year for the second time at the Attitude Awards which celebrate the achievements of New Zealanders living with disabilities.


The 18-year-old, who lost one of her legs below the knee in a lawn-mower accident aged just two, became the youngest New Zealander ever to win a Paralympic medal in Beijing in 2008 when she stormed to three gold medals and a silver.

However, Pascoe was forced to relocate from her home training base at the QEII swimming complex base in her home of Christchurch after it was extensively damaged in the major earthquake that hit the city.

But after moving to Wanaka to continue training, Pascoe continued her superb form as broke two world records at the Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships in Canada in August this year as she stepped up her preparations for London 2012..

"Winning the award for the second time was actually very humbling because it was not just a sporting award," said Pascoe after picking up her prize at the Attitude Awards.

"I was up against people that do completely different things."

Pascoe added that she is also targeting more glory at London 2012 but that she has not set any specific she has not targeted any rivals as she is only focused on herself.

"All I can ask for is a personal best and hopefully that gets me on the podium," she said.

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