World Champions Compete for 63rd Halberg Awards in Auckland

The 63rd Halberg Awards will showcase New Zealand’s top athletes, with five standout contenders for the prestigious sportsman of the year title. Among them are Hamish Kerr, who recently secured a world championship gold in high jump, and Geordie Beamish, who made headlines by overcoming a dramatic fall to win the 3000 metres steeplechase at the Tokyo meet.

This year’s lineup also features Ryan Fox, who achieved remarkable success with two victories on the PGA Tour, Luca Harrington, the world champion in big air freeskating, and footballer Chris Wood, who has excelled for both Nottingham Forest and the All Whites in 2025. With a total of 14 nominations, these athletes represent the pinnacle of New Zealand sports.

Recognizing Excellence in Sport

The nominees were announced on Thursday, revealing a competitive field of 32 finalists that also includes six contenders for the sportswoman of the year award. This category features the impressive snow sports duo of Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, the 2024 Halberg supreme award winner, and Alice Robinson. They are joined by Erin Routliffe, a US Open women’s tennis doubles champion, Sammie Maxwell, the world series mountainbike winner, Niamh Fisher-Black, a silver medallist at the road cycling world championships, and Jorja Miller, a standout in rugby sevens and Black Ferns.

The team of the year category includes six finalists, with the reigning Black Ferns sevens competing against Auckland FC from football, world champion rowing pair Ben Taylor and Oliver Welch, and a cycling pursuit team that recently claimed bronze at their world championships. Additionally, the New Zealand Kiwis rugby league side and the Black Sox softball team are also in contention.

In the para category, athletes Lisa Adams and Danielle Aitchison lead a group of five nominees, alongside track cyclists Nicole Murray and Devon Briggs, and swimmer Cameron Leslie. James Sandilands, who played a crucial role in guiding Kerr to his world championship and Diamond League success, is a finalist for coach of the year, competing against Cory Sweeney of the Black Ferns sevens and Mike Rodger in rowing.

A Competitive Race for Honors

As the awards ceremony approaches on February 16, 2025, discussions are heating up about who will take home the coveted titles. Kerr’s journey to his first outdoor world championship gold in Tokyo, complemented by a Diamond League victory and a silver medal at the world indoors earlier in the year, positions him as a strong candidate.

Beamish’s remarkable performance, which included a stunning comeback after a fall during the heats, adds an intriguing twist to the men’s category. His historic win in the steeplechase is expected to resonate with voters. Meanwhile, Fox’s impressive PGA Tour wins and Harrington’s excellence in freeskis further complicate the competition for the award.

On the women’s side, the race appears equally tight, with Sadowski-Synnott and Robinson vying for recognition alongside Maxwell. The team category also presents a high level of competition, with Taylor and Welch potentially starting as slight favorites among a strong field.

All eyes will be on Auckland as the Halberg Awards aim to honor the athletes who have made a significant impact in New Zealand sports over the past year, celebrating their achievements and inspiring the next generation.