Kiwi UFC star Israel Adesanya, the Silver Ferns netballers, and rowing world champions Grace Prendergast and Zoe McBride are among 70 nominations revealed for the 57th Halberg Awards.
Adesanya's stunning UFC middleweight title win in Melbourne on October 6 has earned the 30-year-old a nomination for Sportsman of the Year, but the Aucklander will face stiff opposition from Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin, Blackcaps skipper Kane Williamson and shot putter Tom Walsh - the 2018 Halbergs supreme winner.
The Silver Ferns have emerged as favourites for Team of the Year, after their World Cup win in July, when they edged Australia in a thrilling final. The Blackcaps' World Cup run and test match feats have them in contention, but the Ferns' toughest challenge may come from Prendergast and McBride, who won world titles in pairs and eights.
All Blacks mentor Steve Hansen is among 17 candidates nominated for Coach of the Year, despite the All Blacks' early Rugby World Cup exit.
Three-time winner Gordon Walker has earned another nomination, after Lisa Carrington's success and the continued development of the women's canoe programme. Other nominees include Adesanya's coach Eugene Bareman, Black Ferns Sevens coach Allan Bunting and Noeline Taurua, who guided the Ferns to their world championship.
Swimmer Sophie Pascoe has been nominated for the Para-athlete/Team of the Year, a category she has already claimed six times.
Pascoe is joined by Cameron Leslie who is put forward for his para swimming and wheelchair rugby success, along with Eltje Malzbender (para cycling), Emma Foy and Hannah van Kampen (para cycling), Lisa Adams (para athletics) and the Wheel Blacks (wheelchair rugby).
Finalists will be named early next year.
Sportsman of the Year
Tom Walsh (athletics), Campbell Stewart (cycling), Israel Adesanya (mixed martial arts), Kane Williamson (cricket) Kieran Read (rugby), Lewis Clareburt (swimming), Michael Venus (tennis), Nico Porteous (freeskiing), Paul Coll (squash), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (rugby league), Scott McLaughlin (motorsport) and Tom Sexton (cycling)
Sportswoman of the Year
Lisa Carrington (canoe sport), Abby Erceg (football), Avalon Biddle (motorcycling), Courtney Duncan (motorcycling), Danielle McKenzie (canoe racing), Katrina Rore (netball), Kelly Brazier (rugby), Laura Langman (netball), Luuka Jones (canoe slalom), Michelle Montague (mixed martial arts), Phillis Meti (golf), Ruby Tui (rugby), Sarah Hirini (rugby), Tyla Nathan-Wong (rugby) and Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (snowboarding)
Coach of the Year
Gordon Walker (canoe sport), Lisa Adams (Para Athletics, Allan Bunting (rugby), Cory Sweeney (rugby), Dale Stevenson (athletics), Damian Wiseman (Para cycling), Eugene Bareman (mixed martial arts), Gary Hay (rowing), Gary Hollywood (swimming), Gary Stead (cricket), Michael Bland (Para cycling), Noeline Taurua (netball), Roly Crichton (Para swimming), Ross Machejefski (cycling), Shane McLeod (hockey), Simon Mayne (Para swimming), Steve Hansen (rugby)
Team of the Year
Black Ferns Sevens (rugby sevens), Black Caps (cricket), Kiwi Ferns (rugby league), women's pair - Grace Prendergast & Kerri Gowler (rowing), lightweight women's double - Zoe McBride & Jackie Kiddle (rowing), Silver Ferns (netball), women's double - Olivia Loe & Brooke Donoghue (rowing), women's eight (rowing) and women's team pursuit - Holly Edmondston, Bryony Botha, Kirstie James, Rushlee Buchanan & Michaela Drummond (cycling)
Para Athlete/Team of the Year
Sophie Pascoe (para swimming), Cameron Leslie (para swimming and wheelchair rugby), Eltje Malzbender (para cycling), Emma Foy and Hannah van Kampen (para cycling), Lisa Adams (para athletics), Wheel Blacks (wheelchair rugby)
Emerging Talent Award
Alice Robinson (ski racing), Celyn Edwards (para swimming), Erika Fairweather (swimming), Hamish Macdonald (motorcycling), Jessie Smith (BMX cycling), Kanah Andrews-Nahu (weightlifting), Kyle Glogoski (baseball), Laurence Pithie (cycling), Liberato Cacace (football), Marcus Armstrong (motorsport), Seb Menzies and Blake McGlashan (yachting)
