New Zealand's first gold medal at a Winter Olympics, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott's win in Beijing last year is one of many she's had in the last 18 months.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Now she's claimed another extra special honour.
After being named sportswoman of the year, Sadowski-Synnott scooped the supreme prize at the annual Halberg Awards in Auckland on Wednesday night.
Still overseas - fresh off gold and silver medals at the Aspen X Games - the 21-year-old snowboard phenom wasn't in attendance, but mum Robin gave an indication of what the Halberg double meant.
"It's been a massive, massive, unbelievable year and this is just, wow.
"Unbelievable really."
Sadowski-Synnott beat out hot competition to win the sportswoman award, to then go forward for supreme honours.
Golfer Lydia Ko and Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant also did brilliant things in 2022, while Dame Lisa Carrington and cyclist Ellesse Andrews' efforts aren't to be shrugged at.
But Sadowski-Synnott's piece of Olympic history won out in the end, and dad Sean said it was amazing to his daughter's achievements recognised among such lofty company.
"There's no doubt that every finalist and nominee for the award was deserved of the award.
"It just happened that the panel chose Zoi but you can't take away from the achievements of all these amazing athletes."
The ceremony began with tributes to the late Sir Murray Halberg, the man who's connection to the event stretched back 60 years.
Wayne Smith, who coached the Black Ferns to World Cup glory last year, said while he wasn't usually a fan of individual awards for team sports, his coach of the year prize was a special moment given Sir Murray's death late last year.
"Sir Murray was a great athlete and great competitor but really it's how he dedicated his life to making other people's lives better, and that's what counts.
"I know a lot of people are carrying on that work but his life was phenomenal.
"For parents like Trish and I, of a son with cerebral palsy, it made it doubly emotional for me."
Black Ferns coach Wayne Smith with the Rugby World Cup trophy. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
The continued rise of snow sports athletes was also on full display.
Along with Sadowski-Synnott's awards, fellow Olympic gold medallist, halfpipe skier Nico Porteous, won sportsman of the year, while Paralympic champion sit-skier Corey Peters took out the para athlete prize and junior world champion halfpipe skier Gustav Legnavsky was named top emerging talent.
Peters summed up a successful night for the winter sports contingent.
"What an awesome surprise to have four Halberg Award winners in different categories.
"Incredible year. Maybe there's something down in the water in Central Otago, eh."
As well as Wayne Smith winning coach of the year, the Black Ferns went home with a swag of other awards.
They were a popular choice as team of the year, while their dramatic line-out win to seal victory in the final was named New Zealand's favourite sporting moment of 2022.
All much to the delight of star flanker Sarah Hirini.
"To win team of the year is amazing. We obviously had a really successful year.
"It's pretty cool to be recognised at the Halbergs given it's a very special event for sport in New Zealand.
Hirini, who has also captained the Black Ferns Sevens team to immense success, was also presented with the Halbergs leadership award.
- RNZ
