Joining a small group of multiple award winners, Pearse’s win comes after claiming the junior awards in 2016 and 2019, which also makes him a back-to-back winner after the 2020 and 2021 awards were amalgamated.
Pearse captured the hearts of the nation with his stellar swim in the S10 100m butterfly at the 2020 Tokyo games, claiming the bronze medal and a new Australian Paralympic record in the swim.
On top of that, Pearse swam a PB in the 200m individual medley, finishing fourth in the event to round out an inspiring maiden showing at the Paralympic games.
Pearse said it was good to be recognised in the sportstar award once again after a tumultuous two years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s always a privilege to be awarded the sportstar of the year, especially for both 2020 and 2021,” Pearse said.
“After the last two years we’ve had, to have that recognition after all the work we as athletes put in and see our achievements be recognised is always great.
“I wouldn’t say it was the greatest year for me. Obviously the Paralympics and finishing Year 12 were highlights.
“There was a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff with lockdowns, a lot of training and a lot of stuff to deal with.
“But like the saying goes: there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
“No matter how far down we are, we’re never too far to come back, we can always turn it on when we need to.
“I’ve proven to myself that I can do these things that I never thought I could do, especially training through lockdown and not having a break for over two-and-a-half years working towards Tokyo.”
Now, Pearse is working towards a pair of new goals in what is set to be a busy 2022 for the 18-year-old.
Pearse was recently selected for the Australian swim team bound for the World Para Swimming Championships in Portugal in June.
In an exciting development, Pearse also announced he was set to compete at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July following his selection for Australia.
“(It’s) even better because it’s my main event, the 100m butterfly,” Pearse said.
“Similar to last year there’s no school, which is great, so I can swim full-time.
“It’s a very busy year for me coming off such a big year last year.”
Pearse inspired the region with his heroics during 2021, but there is undoubtedly another chapter to be written in the talented young athlete’s story — and another showing in next year’s sportstar looks likely.
