Lydia Ko (NZL) stands on the podium with her Gold medal after winning the Women's Individual Stroke Play Golf at Le Golf National during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
A highly contested Sportswoman of the Year category should produce the Supreme Awardwinner at Tuesday's Halberg Sports Awards.
RNZ will be liveblogging the awards from 7pm.
Olympic champions dominate all the categories in the 62nd Awards.
Track cyclist Ellesse Andrews, canoe sprinter Dame Lisa Carrington and golfer Dame Lydia Ko are the obvious contenders.
Andrews was the dominant women's sprinter at the Paris Olympic veledrome winning the sprint and keirin and claiming silver in the team sprint.
New Zealand's most successful Olympian, Dame Lisa won another three gold medals in Paris to take her tally to eight. She also held off the challenge of fellow kiwi Aimee Fisher in the K1.
Dame Lydia completed her set ofOlympic medals with a two-shot victory in the women's golf event in Paris, she then went on to win the British Open and qualified for the golf Hall of Fame.
She also claimed the NZOC's Lonsdale Cup for her achievements in 2024.
Ellesse Andrews celebrates after winning the Women's Sprint Final, Paris 2024 Olympics. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Cricketer Amelia Kerr, tennis player Erin Routliffe and rower Emma Twigg are the other finalists in a top quality women's category.
It is also a competitive men's category.
Olympic champions, highjumper Hamish Kerr and white water paddler Finn Butcher, are obvious choices while it is great to see Premier League footballer Chris Wood among the five finalists.
Olympic champions also dominate the team award with the Black Ferns Sevens, the K2 and K4 women's sprint canoe teams and double scull rowers Lucy Spoors and Brooke Francis (the 'rowing mums'), getting plenty of competition from the T20 World Cup winning White Ferns and the victorious Team New Zealand America's Cup team.
My picks:
Sportswoman - Dame Lydia Ko (and Supreme Award)
Sportsman Hamish Kerr
Sports team - Black Ferns Sevens.
Finalists were chosen from 65 nominations submitted by National Sports Organisations and an independent Nominations Board, recognising outstanding achievements from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024.
The Award selection panel is made up of former elite athletes, coaches, sports administrators, and media representatives. No one from RNZ is involved.
Dame Lisa Carrington of New Zealand wins gold in the women’s Kayak Single 500m gold medal final at 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Halberg Sports Awards finalists
Sportswoman of the Year (eligible for Supreme Halberg Award)
Ellesse Andrews (cycling-track), Dame Lisa Carrington (canoe racing), Amelia Kerr (cricket), Dame Lydia Ko (golf), Erin Routliffe (tennis), Emma Twigg (rowing).
Sportsman of the Year (eligible for Supreme Halberg Award)
Finn Butcher (canoe slalom), Hamish Kerr (athletics-field), James McDonald (horse racing), Hayden Wilde (triathlon), Chris Wood (football).
Para Athlete/Para Team of the Year (eligible for Supreme Halberg Award)
Danielle Aitchison (Para athletics), Anna Grimaldi (Para athletics), Anna Taylor (Para cycling), Nicole Murray (Para cycling), William Stedman (Para athletics)
Team of the Year (eligible for Supreme Halberg Award)
Black Ferns (rugby-sevens), Lucy Spoors and Brooke Francis (rowing), Team New Zealand (sailing), White Ferns (cricket), Women's K2 Sprint Kayak (canoe racing), Women's K4 Sprint Kayak (canoe racing).
Coach of the Year
Jon Andrews (cycling-track), Aaron Osborne (canoe slalom), James Sandilands (athletics), Cory Sweeney (rugby-sevens), Gordan Walker (canoe racing).
Emerging Talent
Tyler Bindon (football), Cormac Buchanan (motorcycling-road), Luke Harrold (snow sports), Ethan Olivier (athletics), Levi Townley (motorcycling-motocross), Erice Van Leuven (cycling-mountain bike).
