Paralympic legend Dame Sophie Pascoe had one job to do at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and has duly accomplished that feat, tying an NZ record for gold medals with victory over the 100m freestyle.
After an exhausting schedule of events at last year's Tokyo Paralympics, Pascoe set herself one race at Birmingham and has duly delivered victory at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.
Her achievement ties that of shot put/discus exponent Val Young, who took her medals across three Games - Cardiff 1958, Perth 1962 and Kingston 1966.
Dame Sophie already had back-to-back gold doubles over 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley at Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018, but has her career winds down, was content to make just appearance this time round.
She stamped her dominance of the field with the fastest heat time and proved too strong for her opponents, clocking 1m 02.95s to win the final by almost a second from Aussie Emily Beecroft.
Since becoming the first Kiwi with 10 Paralympic golds at Tokyo last year, Pascoe, 29, has switched from lifelong coach Roly Crichton to Brett Naylor, become the youngest-ever Dame in New Years Honours and is now engaged to be married, so questions now linger over her future in the sport.
Teammate Tupou Neiufi finished eighth in 1m 14.91s, but her backstroke specialty will come later in the programme.
Meanwhile, Jesse Reynolds has added to New Zealand's celebrations at the pool, with silver in the men's 100m backstroke S9, finishing behind Aussie Tim Hodge in 1m 03.65s.
"I have no words," said Reynolds. "Gold Coast was really tough, with two fourths... Tokyo, again, didn't get a medal.
"We've put in a helluva lot of work and this is the first time I get to bring something home to everyone, and have something to show for our work.
"For everyone who's been through all the ups and downs with me, if makes me feel great to know I've made them happy as well."
