That simple sentence sums up Peter Leek in a nutshell.

Despite his remarkable performances in the water, the swimming phenomenon remains a humble young man who sees every milestone he reaches and every medal he wins as a personal achievement in his life rather than something that puts him on a pedestal above the rest of society.

Leek, 20, was announced as the first athlete to win consecutive Hawkesbury Gazette-Richmond Club Hawkesbury Sportsperson of the Year awards at the Richmond Club on Friday night.

A packed house of 350 people, representing a range of sports from swimming and athletics to equestrian and karate to rugby league and basketball, and the widest variety of ages among nominees (7-85) in the event’s history, was on hand to see Leek retain his title for his remarkable performance at the Beijing Paralympics, where he won three gold medals, four silvers and a bronze to be named Australian Paralympian of the Year.

While the man of the moment was unable to attend due to training commitments at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, where he is among the first ever induction of disabled athletes, his parents Warren and Helen accepted the award on his behalf.

Mr Leek said while his son’s swimming had been a massive, if not lifesaving part of his life, his successes had not changed him at all.

“Peter has really excelled himself in his chosen sport,” he said.

“People ask me who does he take after and I can truly tell you he is his own man – he doesn’t take after any of us,” he said.

“He has achieved everything by himself – at age 11 he set himself a goal of representing Australia at the Paralympics – he has achieved that and now he’s looking forward to doing it again at the 2012 Games in Britain.

“He’s definitely his own man and I’m very proud that he’s grown into a man that people can be proud of.

“His friends usually only find out what he’s achieved by reading it in the local paper – he doesn’t usually speak about himself to his friends.