Pascoe selected for her fourth Paralympics
Sophie Pascoe, New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympian, has been named as part of a five-strong swim team for the Tokyo Paralympics.
Pascoe was named alongside Cameron Leslie, Jesse Reynolds, Nikita Howarth and Tupou Neiufi for the Paralympics, starting on August 24.
The experienced squad was announced yesterday at the team’s National Training Centre at AUT Millennium and is the first group of athletes to be announced for the New Zealand Paralympics team.
The five swimmers share 20 Paralympic medals and 14 long course records between them. Pascoe has won 15 of those medals.
‘‘It is a real honour to be selected to represent New Zealand at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games,’’ she said.
‘‘To represent my country at my fourth Paralympic Games is a privilege. I know the New Zealand public will get right behind us as they did for the Rio 2016 Paralympics and really show their support.’’
Paralympic gold medallist Leslie has also been selected for the fourth time. He is hoping to represent New Zealand not only in the pool, but in wheelchair rugby if a side is selected.
New Zealand’s youngest Paralympian, and gold medallist, Howarth is back in the water for her third games. She recently set a short-course world record in the women’s 100m individual medley SM7.
Neiufi first represented New Zealand at the Paralympics in Rio 2016 aged 15, where she placed seventh in the women’s 100m backstroke S9. She is ranked second in the world after claiming silver in the women’s 100m backstroke S8 at the 2019 Para Swimming World Championships in London.
Reynolds returns for his second Paralympics. He was able to set two personal bests at Rio 2016, and is currently ranked sixth in the world for the 100m backstroke S9.
Paralympics chef de mission Paula Tesoriero is ‘‘thrilled’’ with the experience the swim squad offers.
‘‘The knowledge and understanding they will bring to the team will be immense, and I know they will provide invaluable support to those Para athletes that are competing at the Paralympic Games for the first time,’’ she said.