Dame Sophie Pascoe is a prominent para-swimmer from New Zealand. Over the course of her career, she has proudly represented New Zealand at four consecutive Summer Paralympic Games since 2008. Her remarkable achievements include securing eleven gold medals, seven silver medals, and one bronze medal, thereby earning the distinction of being New Zealand’s most accomplished Paralympian. Additionally, she has proudly represented her country at the Commonwealth Games.
Bio/Wiki
Age- 30 years
Height- 170cm
Weight- 69kg
Full name-Dame Sophie Frances Pascoe
Born- 8 January 1993
Birthplace- Christchurch, New Zealand
Spouse-Rob Samson
Profession-New Zealand swimmer
Nationality- New Zealand
Books: Sophie Pascoe – Stroke of Fate
Parents
Sophie was born in Christchurch on January 8, 1993, to Garry and Jo Pascoe. Her upbringing took place on a lifestyle block located near Halswell, situated on the southwestern periphery of the city. Within her family, she has an older sister named Rebecca.
Husband
Dame Sophie Pascoe is married to Rob Samson.
Education
She completed her primary education at Halswell Primary School and later pursued her secondary education at Lincoln High School, located in the nearby Christchurch satellite town of Lincoln.
Career
Sophie’s swimming journey commenced at the age of 7, and from the age of 8 up until 2022, she received coaching from Roly Crichton. Her training takes place at the QEII swim club, which, following the damage to the facilities at Queen Elizabeth II Park caused by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, relocated to Jellie Park in Burnside.Pascoe holds multiple classifications in swimming, including S10 for freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly, SB9 for breaststroke, and SM10 for individual medley.
At the 2008 Summer Paralympics, Pascoe secured a gold medal in the 100m breaststroke and a silver in the 100m butterfly. She also clinched gold in the women’s 200m individual medley and shared a gold in the 100m backstroke, where she tied with South African Shireen Sapiro. Remarkably, Pascoe was the youngest athlete from New Zealand at the Paralympics and became the youngest New Zealander ever to win a medal at just 15 years old.
Following her success at the 2008 Paralympics, Pascoe was named New Zealand’s favorite Paralympian and received a Mitsubishi VRX Outlander. She was also honored with the appointment as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2009 New Year’s Honours for her contributions to swimming. Additionally, in 2012, she became the inaugural recipient of the Disabled Sportsperson of the Year award at the Halberg Awards.
During the 2012 Summer Paralympics, Pascoe participated in six events, successfully defending her gold in the 200m individual medley (SM10) while setting a new world record. She also claimed gold medals in the 100m butterfly (S10) and the 100m freestyle (S10) while setting a new Paralympic record.
In March 2013, Pascoe once again broke her own world record for the 50m butterfly at the New Zealand Swimming Championships in Auckland.
At the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, she competed in five events, earning gold medals in the 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly, and 200m individual medley, the latter in world record time. She added silver medals in the 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle.
During the 2020 Summer Paralympics, she participated in the Women’s 100m breaststroke SB8, securing the silver medal, and the Women’s 100m backstroke S9, where she won the bronze medal.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to swimming, Pascoe was elevated to the rank of Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2022 New Year Honours.
Dame Sophie Pascoe Accident
On September 23, 1995, Pascoe was tragically involved in an accident. She was accidentally run over by her father while he was operating the family’s ride-on lawnmower. This unfortunate incident resulted in the amputation of her left leg below the knee, and her right leg sustained severe scarring.
Achievements/ Awards
- In 2022 One gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (100m freestyle).
- In 2019 Four gold medals at the World Para Swimming Championships in London.
- In 2018 Two gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games (4x50m individual medley, 100m breaststroke).
- In 2017 Winner of the Halberg Award for Disabled Sportsperson of the Year.
- In 2016 Five medals at the 2016 Paralympics, including three gold and two silver.
- In 2015 Winner of the Halberg Award for Disabled Sportsperson of the Year.
- In 2014 Two gold medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games (4x50m individual medley, 100m breaststroke).
- In 2013 Winner of the Halberg Award for Disabled Sportsperson of the Year.
- In 2012 Three gold medals (100m freestyle-S10, 100m butterfly-S10, 200m individual medley-SM10); three silver medals (50m freestyle-S10, 100m backstroke-S10, 100m breaststroke-SB9) at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) – Paralympic Games, London, United Kingdom. Named as an ambassador for Beef and Lamb New Zealand.
- In 2011 Winner of the Halberg Award for Disabled Sportsperson of the Year.
- In 2010 Gold medal (100m butterfly-S10); three silver medals (50m freestyle-S10, 100m backstroke-S10, 200m individual medley-SM10); bronze medal (100m breaststroke-SB9) at the IPC World Championships, Eindhoven, Netherlands.
- In 2009 Four gold medals (100m backstroke-S10, 100m butterfly-S10, 100m individual medley-SM10, 200m individual medley-SM10); three bronze medals (100m freestyle-S10, 400m freestyle-S10, 100m breaststroke-SB9) at the IPC World Championships – 25m, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- In 2008 Three gold medals (100m backstroke-S10, 100m breaststroke-SB9, 200m individual medley-SM10); Silver (100m butterfly-S10) at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) – Paralympic Games, Beijing, China.
- In 2006 Bronze (200m individual medley-SM10) at the IPC World Championships, Durban, South Africa.
Net Worth 2023
Sophie Pascoe’s estimated net worth falls within the range of $1 million to $5 million.
Dame Sophie Pascoe Announces Pregnancy
Dame Sophie Pascoe, the accomplished Kiwi swimming champion, has revealed her pregnancy, expecting her first child.
On Monday, Pascoe, renowned as New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympian, shared a video featuring three floating boogie boards with the words “coming soon” and “baby on board.”
She joyfully announced, “Rob and I are very excited to share that we have a baby Samson on board who is well and truly kicking away, and planning to dive into this world early 2024.”
Congratulations and well wishes poured in from fellow Kiwis and sports stars, including a message from Black Fern Kendra Cocksedge: “Yay congrats @sophpascoe1 @rddsamson.” Others expressed their delight at the adorable announcement, and one person commented, “Congratulations! This is such a fab announcement video!”
Throughout her career, Pascoe has represented New Zealand in four Summer Paralympic Games since 2008, securing an impressive tally of eleven gold medals, seven silver medals, and one bronze medal, solidifying her status as New Zealand’s most accomplished Paralympian.
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