The Halberg sports award winners will be announced tonight with Olympians expected to dominate the annual awards.
World golf number one and major winner Lydia Ko, who has won the last 3 sportswoman awards, and Olympic champion kayaker Lisa Carrington appear to have the edge in the women's category.
Lisa Carrington Photo: Photosport
The men's category is also a tight one with WBO champion boxer Joseph Parker and Olympic rowing champion Mahe Drysdale the leading contenders.
The team category is also a tough one to pick with world and Olympic 49er sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke up against Olympic rowing champions Hamish Bond and Eric Murray and world champion and Olympic silver medal winning team sprint cyclists Eddie Dawkins, Ethan Mitchell and Sam Webster.
The All Blacks won the Supreme Halberg Award last year but aren't among the finalists in the team category this year despite a record breaking run. Photo: Photosport
The Disabled category involves four Rio medalists, track and field athletes Liam Malone and Anna Grimaldi and swimmers Mary Fisher and Sophie Pascoe.
Liam Malone on his way to Paralympic gold in Rio. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Finalists:
Sportsman of the Year (eligible for the supreme Halberg Award):
Joseph Parker (Boxing)
Mahe Drysdale (Rowing)
Nick Willis (Athletics)
Tom Walsh (Athletics)
Sportswoman of the Year (eligible for the supreme Halberg Award):
Lisa Carrington (Canoeing)
Luuka Jones (Canoeing)
Lydia Ko (Golf)
Dame 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)
Coach of the Year:
Gordon Walker (Canoeing)
Hamish Willcox (Yachting)
Jeremy McColl (Athletics)
Steve Hansen (Rugby)
Emerging Talent:
Campbell Stewart (Cycling)
Dylan Schmidt (Trampoline)
Finn Bilous (Snow Sports)
Maynard Peel (Cycling BMX)
