Five-time Olympic champion Lisa Carrington has started 2024 in glittering style by adding further pieces of silverware to her ever-expanding trophy cabinet.
The New Zealander attended a packed-out Spark Arena in Auckland where she was presented with the Supreme Halberg Award.
It is the third time Carrington has been awarded the top accolade after being named the Sportswoman of the Year for the sixth occasion earlier in the evening.
Carrington faced competition from the Sportsman of the Year, Team of the Year and Para Athlete of the Year for the Supreme Halberg Award.
The 34-year-old was previously awarded the prestigious prize in 2016 and 2021 following her success at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Her long-time coach Gordon Walker was also recognized at the ceremony as he was named the Buddle Finlay Coach of the Year.
A week later, Carrington collected another award after the New Zealand Olympic Committee presented her with the Lonsdale Cup for 2023.
The Lonsdale Cup is the NZOC’s most esteemed award and is presented annually to the athlete or team that has made the most outstanding contribution to an Olympic or Commonwealth sport.
It is the fourth time Carrington has received the title and comes after a sensational 2023 season.
Carrington came away with three gold medals from the 2023 International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint World Championships in Duisburg, Germany.
She struck gold in the women’s K1 200, women’s K1 500 and women’s K4 500 to take her overall world title tally to 15.
“The Lonsdale Cup holds so much history and to have my name there alongside some of New Zealand’s Olympic greats is pretty special,” said Carrington.
“It’s great to look back on the success we had last year, both individually and in the K4 where we made history.
“I’d like to thank all my teammates, my coach, Gordy, and Canoe Racing New Zealand for helping me to get to where I am.”
NZOC Board Chair Diana Puketapu added: “Dame Lisa is truly a once in a generation athlete and we’re thrilled to award her the Lonsdale Cup following another standout year in 2023.
“We’re extremely proud of her achievements and thank her for being a fantastic role model for young New Zealanders and especially young women.”
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