Paralympic Games track cycling gold medallist Sue Powell still can't believe she claimed the ultimate honour her sport has to offer - just five years after suffering a spinal injury.
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Powell has been awarded an Order of Australia medal in honour of winning the women's individual pursuit C4 class at the 2012 London Games.
A late bloomer, Powell took up cycling only in 2007 at the age of 40 as part of her rehabilitation from a spinal injury sustained while playing field hockey.
She quickly rose up the ranks, collecting a gold and a silver in London along with setting a new world record.
Powell is a five-time national champion and won bronze medals in the road race and time trial at last year's world championships.
''I still pull out the gold medal and have a look at it now and then,'' Powell said.
''You have to shake yourself a little bit that it really did happen.
''It's a privilege and a very big honour to receive an Order of Australia [medal].''
Her journey to the top is one of the most unique and inspirational.
What appeared to be a routine fall during a hockey game eventually resulted in Powell losing the use of her foot.
Powell had surgery to relieve the pressure on her nerves, but it wasn't until 12 months later that it became apparent the damage was beyond repair.
''Originally my neurosurgeon said I just needed retraining because I couldn't run or walk properly,'' she said.
''My coach (Sian Mulholland) identified I might be eligible for para-cycling and thought it'd be good to see how I'd go against other people with disabilities.
''I didn't envisage it to be more than that.''
Powell's next target is the track World Cup in Mexico in April, but she is not looking ahead to the possibility of defending her Paralympics title in Brazil in 2016.
