Last night’s ISPS Handa Halberg Awards celebrated New Zealand sporting achievements of the decade. While the three Pasifika nominees – Dame Valerie Adams, Gabrielle Fa’amausili and Maddison-Lee Wesche – were absent on the night, we caught up with fellow Pasifika sporting greats on the red carpet to celebrate the finalists’ achievements.
Dame Valerie Adams was a finalist for High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportswoman of the Decade, with only two other finalists in the category. The four-time World champion shot putter was nominated for her athletics achievements, up against canoe sprinter Lisa Carrington and golfer Lydia Ko. Carrington took out the award in last night’s ceremony.
Swimmer Gabrielle Fa’amausili and shot putter Maddison-Lee Wesche were both up for Sky Sport Emerging Talent Athlete of the Decade. Gabrielle Fa’amausili (21) is a former world junior record holder and world junior champion for the 50m backstroke. Maddison-Lee Wesche (21) won gold at the World U20 Championships in 2018. Lydia Ko won the award on the night for becoming the youngest person, at 14 years old, to win a professional golf tour event at the NSW Open on the ALPG Tour.
Full list of ISPS Handa Halberg Awards Decade Champion winners and finalists:
Halberg Award Decade Champion winner: Men’s Pair, Hamish Bond and Eric Murray (rowing)
ISPS Handa Team of the Decade winner: Men’s Pair, Hamish Bond and Eric Murray (rowing)
ISPS Handa Para Athlete of the Decade: Sophie Pascoe (Para swimming)
High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportswoman of the Decade: Lisa Carrington (canoe racing)
ISPS Handa Sportsman of the Decade: Richie McCaw (rugby)
Buddle Findlay Coach of the Decade: Gordon Walker (canoe racing)
Sky Sport Emerging Talent Athlete of the Decade: Lydia Ko (golf)
New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment of the Decade: Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan (rowing)
Sport New Zealand Leadership Award: Johanna Wood (football)
