Izzy the superfish! ‘THIS ONE’S FOR KURT FEARNLEY!’
She’s just 15 but the champion swimmer with a killer smile has set her sights on medal glory
I t’s hard not to be charmed by Australia’s youngest Paralympian Isabella Vincent – or Izzy, as she prefers. At just 15 years old, the champion swimmer with a million-dollar smile is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. “I just got butterflies in my tummy thinking about going to my first ever Paralympics! I can’t wait to wear the green and gold – I hope I do my country proud,” Izzy tells Woman’s Day before jetting off to Japan.
“My parents [Phil and Toni-lee] are more nervous than me because it’s the first time I’ve been away on my own. I’ve promised them, and my little brother Archie, that I’ll bring home something special. Hopefully that’s a medal – I’m not fussy about what colour!”
Izzy has had huge support over the years, but credits much of her success to one special person who inspired her to reach for the stars – lifelong idol and five-time Paralympic legend Kurt Fearnley, 40. “He’s been my hero since I can remember. I was only three years old when he crawled the
Kokoda Trail – he’s the best person ever,” she says with a little tear. “We share a rare condition known as sacral agenesis. My spine stops above the sacrum [where it should connect to the pelvis] so I’m missing calf muscles and other ligaments,” she says matter-of-factly. “I have very little feeling in my
Meet Australia’s youngest Paralympian
legs so I am reliant on my wheelchair. I’ve worked hard to be incredibly strong in my upper body.
FINDING RESILIENCE
“Kurt helped me focus on my strengths, rather than my weaknesses. He’s taught me resilience, and how being kind is as important as winning a medal.”
When the pair finally met in April this year, it was a chance for Izzy to thank the man who inspired her to live her best life. “He let me have a go on his track racing chair – I may have found a new sport as a wheelchair racer if swimming doesn’t pan out!”
Izzy is one of 15 debutantes on the 32-strong Aussie swimming team, with her pet events being the 100m and 400m freestyle, and 100m backstroke.
“Being presented with my Qantas boarding pass as a member of the Australian
Paralympic team, I had to pinch myself when I saw my name
– I have so much to be grateful for,” she says.
Like many athletes, Izzy has a rigid routine she follows every time she races.
“I have the same song list I listen to in the lead-up, including Queen and Powderfinger – I thank Mum and Dad for my fine taste in music!” she laughs.
Besides support from her close-knit family and friends,
Izzy has another special person in her corner – dedicated coach Shaun Curtis.
“I trust him with my life. That said, I don’t always like him at 6am when it’s freezing cold in the middle of winter!” says Izzy.
“I also want to mention my Grade 10 friends at Pembroke where I go in Adelaide – the entire school community has been amazing. They tied green and gold ribbons to my locker the day I made the team.”
Nothing has come easy for this little fighter. Like any swimmer, she trains hard, her gruelling regimen coupled with her studies leaves her with little spare time.
“As a kid, I struggled to find a sport I liked, and only got into competitive swimming three years ago,” says Izzy. “I now have my heart set on three more Games, including Brisbane in 2032. I hope one day to be that person Kurt was for me, and inspire a whole new generation.”
‘I had to pinch myself... I have so much to be grateful for’