Michael Phelps Of Paralympics Continues To Inspire Possible Successor

The Michael Phelps of Paralympians inspires a teenager who is viewed as her possible successor.

New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympian Sophie Pascoe is often regarded as Phelps of Paralympics. Given her stellar career in her respective sport, Pascoe serves as an inspiration to her possible successor – Ella Benn.

Benn is teenager who has lost part of her left leg, and part of her right lung in her battle against cancer. But, with the guidance of a Paralympic legend, she's determined to be a swimming star in her own right.

Although Benn doesn’t want to be known as the “Next Sophie Pascoe,” the similarities are very evident as Pascoe also has had part of her left leg amputated through cancer as well.

On top of that, Benn is also a powerful swimmer, a New Zealand record holder, who was generally inspired by Pascoe to pursue a swimming career.

The nine-time Paralympic gold medalist visited Benn when she was only nine-year-old and undergoing chemotherapy in Christchurch Hospital. Since then, Pascoe has been a mentor to the aspiring amputee.

Despite the consistent comparisons, Benn has made it clear that no one can ever repeat the legacy of Pascoe, Lockerroom reported.

“That was cool, but looking back at it now, a lot of people we’re saying ‘Oh she’s the next Sophie Pascoe’. And when I was younger, that’s who I wanted to be. But now I just want to be the first Ella Benn. Because there’s only one Sophie and only one Ella,” Benn pointed out.

Benn has dreams of winning her own Paralympic gold in the future. And her realistic aim is the 2024 Paralympics which will be held in Paris.

Pascoe says Benn reminds her of herself when she was younger. As per the Paralympic legend, she and Benn were both talented, hard-working and motivated athlete who "isn't letting anything get in her way of achieving her goals and dreams."

Meanwhile, just about a month ago, Pascoe won four gold medals in as many events, at the world para swimming championships in London. The haul adds to her already-impressive collection of nine gold medals, six silver medals and several world records.

As she prepares for her fourth Paralympic Games, the sport world is wondering what records the poster child for Paralympic success will break next.

As expected, according to Radio Sport reporter and commentator Brian Ashby, Pascoe is truly following the Phelps blueprint. However, the 26-year-old swimmer appears to be striving for more than just winning and breaking records, RNZ noted.

“We’re just about getting into Michael Phelps territory,” Ashby said.

“They set very high standards, very high goals for themselves. Both Sophie and Roly (Crichton, Pascoe’s long time coach) would lose interest if they were just going out there to win. They need to be getting better all the time,” Ashby added.