Cameron Leslie wins major Māori sports award

Cameron Leslie added another accolade, this one the Te Toihuarewa Māori Sportsperson With a Disability award for 2016. Photo/Photosport.nz

Northlander Cameron Leslie has capped off a memorable year by winning the 2016 Te Toihuarewa Māori Sportsperson With a Disability award.

Leslie, of Ngāpuhi descent, won the award after a year where he broke his own SM4 150m Individual Medley record twice and took out the gold medal in the same event at the Rio Paralympics.

He won the Paralympic final in 2:23.12, more than two and a half seconds quicker than his previous mark.

In his acceptance speech, Leslie paid homage to fellow nominees and Paralympic medallists Holly Robertson and Northland's Emma Foy as well as his family.

"Firstly I'd like to recognise the efforts of Holly and Emma. Winning a medal is tough and it's something you should be extremely proud of, no matter what the colour is," he said.

"At the end of the day we're just doing the best for our country and our people."

"Next, to my whanau. It takes a lot of patience to deal with an athlete in the family, especially one like myself who wants to do the best they can."

"Second I want to thank my partner. We as athletes often forget what our lifestyles do to our family around us. We're quite selfish and we've got to be."

"We have to do the best for our country and ourselves so I'd like to thank her for her patience with me."

"Finally, congrats to the other nominees and good luck in your endeavours."