AIS swimmer Matt Cowdrey has been named Australia’s Paralympian of the Year, recognised for his tremendous success at Beijing Games, winning eight medals, five of them gold.

Cowdrey created history by winning his five gold medals in world record time in the 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle, 200-metre individual medley, 100-metre backstroke, and as part of the 4 x 100-metre medley relay team.

The 19-year-old, dubbed the ‘superfish’, was also crowned Australian Paralympic Male Athlete of the Year for his outstanding achievements in Beijing.

He claimed the title of Australia’s best Paralympian ahead of great performances from wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley, triple gold-medal winning runner Heath Francis and cycling veteran Chris Scott.

Cowdrey faced one of heaviest workloads of the Australian Paralympic athletes by competing in eight swimming events. An arm amputee from birth, he does not consider this disability a limitation.

He is now ranked among the greats, having already excelled on the world stage with multiple gold-medal performances at the Paralympics, world championships and Commonwealth Games.

Another AIS swimmer, Peter Leek, was awarded Junior Athlete of the Year for winning three gold, four silver and a bronze medal in his debut in the SM8 class at the Beijing Paralympics.

The 20-year-old produced incredible results, winning his gold medals in the men’s S8 100-metre butterfly, SM8 men’s 200-metre individual medley and the men’s 4 x 100-metre medley relay in world record time.

Former AIS scholarship holder Kurt Fearnley was also honoured with the APC's President's Award for Excellence in Sportsmanship.

AIS coaches Scott Goodman and Iryna Dvoskina were recognised for their outstanding contribution to Australia’s Paralympic success.

Iryana Dvoskina was awarded Coach of the Year recognised for helping to guide the training and development of seven athletes (with five AIS scholarship holders) in her squad which included gold medal winners Heath Francis and Evan O’Hanlon. Other AIS athletes in the squad included Christine Wolf, Brad Scott and Aaron Chatman who placed well.

Scott Goodman was recognised for providing leadership and direction as head coach of the Australian Paralympic Athletics Team and for a distinguished career in this role. It is the highest honour that is bestowed on a non-athlete team member.