'The body obviously wasn't responding afterwards' - Sophie Pascoe dedicates gold to NZ, eyes another on Monday

Nine paralympic gold medals, eight world championships, and now three Commonwealth Games gold medals.

And yet, Sophie Pascoe isn't satisfied. Not even close.

At the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, last night Pascoe pushed her body to breaking point as she once again blitzed her rivals in the SM10 200m individual medley.

That's despite being the closest thing to a sure bet in world sport.

She was around three seconds off her world record mark of two minutes 24.90 seconds, and despite collapsing after her post-race interview due to the sheer amount of effort she put in, all she could think about was the time she set.

"I was in great spirits going into the final so to see the time (two minutes 27.72 seconds) and not come out with what I wanted is a bit disappointing but a win is a win. This was for New Zealand. I've got to recover now and come back on Monday," she told reporters after receiving her medal.

"I know I've got a lot to improve to achieve what I want to in Tokyo. That's the beauty of sport. I may not have achieved exactly what I wanted to tonight; I got the gold, yes, but we've got a lot to work on and I'm hungry to do that."

While New Zealand waited with concern after the flagbearer at Wednesday's opening ceremony was checked out by medical staff, the drama simply washed off the 25-year-old.

The mark of a true champion is the ability is to shake off adversity and get the mind back on the job.

Pascoe, unsurprisingly, has that determination in spades.

"The body obviously wasn't responding afterwards. That's bound to happen when you give it everything and your body is full of lactic acid," Pascoe said.

"I've recovered a little bit after what was a very tough race. It was bittersweet there seeing the time but that's what racing is about I gave it everything I could."

She will have the chance to double her tally tomorrow when she competes in the SB9 100m breaststroke.

SHARE ME

More Stories