Golden girl Lisa Carrington wins top Halberg Award

Olympian Dame Lisa Carrington’s gold medal haul in Tokyo has seen her win big at the 59th Halberg Awards.

Dame Lisa Carrington.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Carrington has received the Supreme Halberg Award at the awards ceremony in Auckland.

The awards celebrated achievements from 1 December 2019 to 30 November 2021 – a two-year period reflecting the impact of Covid-19 on global sporting competitions.

Carrington who claimed three gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics was named as the Sportswoman of the Year before being presented the Supreme Halberg Award honours by Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro.

Swimmer Dame Sophie Pascoe.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Dame Sophie Pascoe won the Para Athlete/Team of the Year award in recognition of her haul of two gold, a silver and bronze medal at the Tokyo Paralympics, the seventh time she has won the category.

The Black Caps were named the Team of the Year for winning the 2021 ICC World Test Championship and becoming the world number one ODI ranked team in the world.

Ross Taylor (left) and Kane Williamson leave the pitch after New Zealand had won the ICC World Test Championship Final, 2021.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Captain Kane Williamson also won the Sportsman of the Year after leading his team to multiple successes.

Gordon Walker was named Coach of the Year for the fourth time after guiding the women’s canoe sprint team to three golds in Tokyo.

Swimmer Erika Fairweather.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021

Swimmer Erika Fairweather recieved the Emerging Talent award after her outstanding Olympic debut in Tokyo at just 17 years of age where she was placed 8th in the Freestyle final.

Kereyn Smith was presented the Sport New Zealand Leadership Award for her role as chief executive and secretary general of the New Zealand Olympic Committee.

Full list of winners and finalists for the 59th ISPS Handa Halberg Awards

Halberg Award winner: Dame Lisa Carrington (canoe racing)

Finalists: Dame Sophie Pascoe (Para swimming), Kane Williamson (cricket), Black Caps (cricket).

Para Athlete/Team of the Year winner: Dame Sophie Pascoe (Para swimming)

Finalists: Anna Grimaldi (Para athletics), Holly Robinson (Para athletics), Lisa Adams (Para athletics), Tupou Neiufi (Para swimming).

Sportsman of the Year winner: Kane Williamson (cricket)

Finalists: Hamish Bond (rowing), Paul Coll (squash), Scott Dixon (motorsport).

Sportswoman of the Year winner: Dame Lisa Carrington (canoe racing)

Finalists: Courtney Duncan (motocross), Emma Twigg (rowing), Lydia Ko (golf), Sarah Hirini (rugby sevens).

Team of the Year winner: Black Caps (cricket)

Finalists: The New Zealand Olympic Women’s Rugby 7’s (rugby sevens), Emirates Team New Zealand (sailing), Rowing Men’s Eight (rowing), Women’s Pair Kerri Gowler and Grace Prendergast (rowing).

Coach of the Year winner: Gordon Walker (canoe racing)

Finalists: Allan Bunting and Cory Sweeney (rugby sevens), Gary Stead (cricket), Tony O’Connor (rowing).

Emerging Talent winner: Erika Fairweather (swimming)

Finalists: Connor Bell (athletics), Cool Wakushima (snowboarding), Grace Nweke (netball), Marko Stamenic (football).

Sport New Zealand Leadership Award winner: Kereyn Smith

New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment winner: Emma Twigg (rowing).