Three local athletes' efforts have been recognised, earning them the prestige of being nominated as finalists for the upcoming Halberg Awards.
Otago athletes Anna Grimaldi, Finn Bilous and Hamish Bond are part of the 16 finalists from the Disabled Sportsperson, Sportsman, Sportswoman and Team of the Year categories. All are in line for the supreme Halberg Award - the country's highest accolade for sporting excellence.
The supreme Halberg Award is presented to the athlete or team whose achievement is deemed by the judges as representing excellence in sport at the highest level.
Finalists in the High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportsman of the Year category are Olympic rowing champion Mahe Drysdale, WBO World Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker and Rio bronze medallists, shot putter Tom Walsh and runner Nick Willis.
Lydia Ko is a finalist again for the strongly contested female category. Ko, who won two majors and an Olympic silver in 2016, is up against double Olympic medallist Lisa Carrington and Rio silver medallists Luuka Jones and Valerie
The Disabled Sportsperson of the Year award includes 2015 recipient Sophie Pascoe.
The Para-Swimmer, who won three gold and two silver at the Paralympics is up against fellow gold medallists Anna Grimaldi, Mary Fisher and Liam Malone, who won double gold and a silver in Rio.
Four teams who all ascended the medal dais in Rio are up for the Team of the Year Category. The finalists include two Olympic champion crews; the Men's 49er (Peter Burling and Blair Tuke) and Rowing Pair (Hamish Bond and Eric Murray) along with silver medallists; the Team Sprint (Eddie Dawkins, Ethan Mitchell and Sam Webster) and the 470 crew (Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie).
The Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year Award includes the 2015 winner - All Blacks coach and World Rugby Coach of the Year Steve Hansen. Hansen is up against Hamish Willcox who led the Men's 49er crew to Olympic success in Rio, Gordon Walker who guided Lisa Carrington to double Rio gold and Jeremy McColl who directed Eliza McCartney to her first Olympics and a silver medal.
The Halberg Awards judges of former athletes, coaches and sports journalists selected the shortlist from 87 nominations for the six categories.
The winners will be announced at the 54th Halberg Awards ceremony, held on February 9.
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).
Emerging Talent
Campbell Stewart (Cycling)
Dylan Schmidt (Trampoline)
Finn Bilous (Snow Sports)
Maynard Peel (Cycling BMX).
