The finalists for next month's Halberg Awards have been announced, with Olympians and Paralympians dominating the four athlete categories.
All four finalists in the Sportswoman of the Year category competed at the Rio Games, with the double-medal winning kayaker Lisa Carrington up against silver medallists golfer Lydia Ko, canoeist Luuka Jones and shot putter Valerie Adams.
Lisa Carrington is among those in the running for Sportswoman of the Year. Photo: Photosport
The WBO World Heavyweight Champion boxer Joseph Parker is the only non-Olympian to be up for Sportsman of the Year, where he will compete against rower Mahe Drysdale, shot putter Tom Walsh and runner Nick Willis.
The Disabled Sportsperson of the Year award finalists include 2015 recipient Sophie Pascoe, fellow Paralympic swimmer Mary Fisher, and track and field athletes Anna Grimaldi and Liam Malone.
All four nominations up for the team award were also podium-finishers in Rio - the men's 49er sailing crew of Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, the rowing pair of Hamish Bond and Eric Murray, the cycling sprint team of Eddie Dawkins, Ethan Mitchell and Sam Webster, and the women's 470 crew of Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie.
New Zealand sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke celebrate winning gold at the Rio Olympics. Photo: AFP
The big names to miss out on finalist places are the All Blacks and their star first five Beauden Barrett, though coach Steve Hansen is among the finalists for Coach of the Year.
Hansen is up against Hamish Willcox, who led the men's 49er crew to Olympic success in Rio, Lisa Carrington's coach Gordon Walker and Jeremy McColl, who directed Eliza McCartney to her first Olympics and a bronze medal.
Full list of finalists for the 54th Halberg Awards:
High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportsman of the Year (eligible for the supreme Halberg Award):
- Joseph Parker (Boxing)
- Mahe Drysdale (Rowing)
- Nick Willis (Athletics)
- Tom Walsh (Athletics)
High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year (eligible for the supreme Halberg Award):
- Lisa Carrington (Canoeing)
- Luuka Jones (Canoeing)
- Lydia Ko (Golf)
- Valerie Adams (Athletics)
Disabled Sportsperson of the Year (eligible for the supreme Halberg Award):
- Anna Grimaldi (Para-Athletics)
- Liam Malone (Para-Athletics)
- Mary Fisher (Para-Swimming)
- Sophie Pascoe (Para-Swimming)
Team of the Year (eligible for the supreme Halberg Award):
- Men's 49er - Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (Yachting)
- Men's Pair - Hamish Bond and Eric Murray (Rowing)
- Team Sprint - Eddie Dawkins, Ethan Mitchell and Sam Webster (Cycling), Women's 470 - Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie (Yachting)
Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year:
- Gordon Walker (Canoeing)
- Hamish Willcox (Yachting)
- Jeremy McColl (Athletics)
- Steve Hansen (Rugby)
SKY NEXT Emerging Talent:
- Campbell Stewart (Cycling)
- Dylan Schmidt (Trampoline)
- Finn Bilous (Snow Sports)
- Maynard Peel (Cycling BMX)
