New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian of all time, Lisa Carrington, has been inducted into the Maori Sports Hall of Fame.
After winning a hat-trick of gold medals at Paris 2024, she was crowned Maori Sports Person of the Year for the seventh time.
Now in its 35th year, the Maori Sports Awards hosted by Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust at Turangawaewae Marae on November 29, honoured one of the most successful female Olympians of all time with the special recognition.
“I stand here today, incredibly humbled by this honour, to be inducted into the Maori Sports Hall of Fame,” she said after receiving the award.
“I've spent most of my life chasing milliseconds on the water; to be recognised in this way is truly special. To stand alongside so many incredible maori sportspeople whose stories have inspired me from a young age is a true privilege.
“While I receive this accolade, I see it as a reflection of all the people who've helped shape me. The coaches who challenged me, the teammates who pushed me, the family who supported and comforted me, and the communities that uplifted me.
“Through working with my K4 teammates, I've come to understand the true power of teamwork, and I'm grateful to share this moment with everyone who has played a part in my journey.”
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The 36-year-old’s performance at the Games last year saw her equal the record title tally of Germany’s Birgit Fischer, which had stood for 20 years.
Affiliated to Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki and Ngati Porou, Carrington also has 15 World Championships gold medals, making her one of the best Canoe Sprint paddlers of all time.
In 2024, Carrington was also awarded the Outstanding Sporting Career prize at the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) Awards.
“Dame Lisa’s induction into Te Whare Matatapuna o te Ao Maori in recognition of her remarkable results at both the Halberg Awards and Maori Sports Awards is testament to her extraordinary talent and unwavering self-determination as well as the exceptional guidance of her coaches and the steadfast support of her humble whanau,” Trust Executive Director Richard (Dick) Garratt MNZM (Ngai Tuhoe) was quoted as saying by the Maori Sports Awards.
You can watch the 2025 Maori Sports Awards here.
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