South Australian high school student Isabella Vincent (swimming) was the youngest member of the Para-swimming team in Birmingham where she finished fifth in both the 100m backstroke S7 and 100m breaststroke SB6.

Isabella was born with Sacral Agenesis regression syndrome – the same condition as her idol Kurt Fearnley OAM – which affects the development of the lower spine and she is unable to use her legs in the water.

After being encouraged by her hydro therapist to take up swimming, Isabella joined Norwood Swimming Club’s ENable program in Adelaide, a multi-class program for swimmers with a disability. She fell in love with the sport immediately and in 2018 collected nine medals at the School Sport Australia Championships in Hobart. In 2020, Isabella was awarded the Matthew Cowdrey Trophy for the best performance at the South Australian Short Course Championships. At the 2021 Australian Age Swimming Championships, Isabella dominated her events, claiming five gold medals, three silver and a bronze. After more impressive performances at the selection trials, she was named as the youngest member of the Australian swim team for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, her friends at Pembroke School decorating her locker with green and gold ribbons. In Tokyo, she picked up silver as part of the women’s 4x100m freestyle 34 points and bronze in the women’s 4x100m medley 34 points.