Adams Academy member Emma Diprose has won Athlete of the Year. Photo / Supplied
Bay of Plenty Muay Thai fighter Emma Diprose is a world-class athlete with a lot of wins under her belt. Now, she has one more.
The 25-year-old from Te Puke has been named the Industrial Athletic Athlete of the Year at the 2025 Adams Academy Awards, adding yet another accolade to her growing collection.
Disprose currently sits at number two on the WBC World Rankings and is coming off the back of four consecutive wins against international fighters.
Career highlights so far include a bronze at the IFMA World Championships, as well as a New Zealand title. Next up is her WBC Muay Thai Welterweight World Title fight on December 6 at Mercury Baypark Arena.
She has been an Adams Academy athlete since 2019 and her journey has been an impressive one, with years of commitment and training culminating in her taking home the top prize at the 2025 Adams Academy Awards.
“A lot of work has gone into it and I think the academy has definitely helped that,” Diprose said.
“Especially being a single-athlete sport, there’s quite a lot of isolation, and the academy allows me to be around the other athletes, which I think pushes me more.”
The Adams Academy, sponsored by Carrus, is a high-performance sport programme based at the Adams Centre on the outskirts of Blake Park in Mount Maunganui.
The centre’s head strength and conditioning coach Loretta Hogg said what set Diprose apart was the relentless work she put into her mental game.
“The shift in her confidence and composure has been profound,” Hogg said.
“She began as a very nervous athlete who really struggled with self-belief and was still recovering from a significant setback after sustaining nerve damage in her leg.
“Her progress is a credit to her resilience, consistency, and willingness to do the uncomfortable work.”
Fellow Adams Academy athlete Jayden Murphy has also had an outstanding year.
The surf life saving athlete was named the P3 Recovery Emerging Athlete of the Year, complementing his wins at last year’s Mount Monster and the Piha Invitational Ironman competition, his New Zealand Open Board Rescue title and his selection in the 2025 New Zealand Pathways Team.
Hogg said the standard of athletes recognised this year was exceptional.
“What stands out most is the depth of performance across so many different sports. These athletes have not only delivered results but have demonstrated professionalism, resilience, and a genuine commitment to improving every aspect of their craft.
“It reflects the calibre of coaching, support, and daily training environment we have here but more importantly, it reflects their own work ethic. They make the academy proud.”
Carrus general manager Scott Adams said presented the awards to the athletes on the night.
“I’m in awe of the massive talent that continues to come out of our region and out of the country ... it inspires all of our kids all over the country to see anyone can be a world champion, they just have to work hard at it and if you really put your mind to it and put your heart into it, you can accomplish anything,” Adams said.
“We’re really proud as always to be in behind the Adams Academy.”
2025 Adams Academy Award winners:
Industrial Athletic Athlete of the Year: Emma Diprose (Muay Thai/Kick Boxing)
P3 Recovery Emerging Athlete of the Year: Jayden Murphy (Surf Life Saving)
Smith Sport Shoes Junior Emerging Athlete of the Year: Emma Merson (Squash) and Jaxon Woolley (Para Athletics)
Body In Motion Road to Recovery: Zion Samuels (Athletics)
Sustain Speed Nutrition Resilience Award: Maggie Hammond (Surf Life Saving)
Industrial Athletic Mahi Award: Cole Hulsebosch (Mountain Biking)
Diligence Certificates: Phoenix Ottesen (Mountain Biking), Ryan Addison (Hockey), Kodi Grant (Hockey), Millie Dyck (Surfing), Jack Lord (Squash), Marshall Flint (Cricket), Harry Burns (Cricket), Bryn Roberton (Cricket), and Oliver Norwood (Cricket)
Outstanding Performance: Lulu Miller (Gymnastics), Vihan Chatbury (Squash), Jessie Speedy (Mountain Running), Dan Shanahan (Surf Life Saving), Taylor Thibeault-Moore (Football), Grace Richardson (Canoe Racing/Surf Life Saving), Kaitlyn Black (Athletics), Hannah Berry (Triathlon)
Scholarship Recipients:
Adams Academy 6 Month Scholarship: Conrad Visagie (Triathlon)
Adams Family 6 Month Scholarship: Michael Sutton (Mountain Running/ Athletics)
Adams Family 6 Month Scholarship: Andrea Lilley (Wakeboarding)