World champion powerlifter Dr Karlina Tongotea won the prestigious Albie Pryor Memorial Māori Sports Person of the Year award at Tūrangawaewae Marae, Ngāruawāhia, last night.
Tongotea (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Tonga) received a world champion award as well as the Senior Māori Sportswoman of the Year before taking out the supremeaward.
The 32-year-old GP, who is also a powerlifter, achieved a new open world record in Chengdu, China, on her way to winning gold in the 76kg class at the World Games in August.
Her record was set at 620kg, a combination of her successful attempts at the three powerlifting disciplines: squat (230kg), bench (130kg) and deadlift (260kg).
Now in its 35th year, the Trillian Trust Māori Sports Awards were hosted by Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust.
Trust executive director Dick Garratt told the Herald it was a stunning night and showcased the best of Māori athletes at the home of the awards, Tūrangawaewae.
“It shows the calibre of Māori we have competing on the world stage in multiple sports,” Garratt said.
Dr Karlina Tongotea is a GP by day and powerlifter after hours.
“Māori are certainly making their mark in the traditional sports but also taking on new generation sporting challenges and it was a great night to celebrate that success.”
Garratt said holding the 35th awards at Tūrangawaewae holds special status, as three generations of the Kīngitanga, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, Kīngi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII and now Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, have each been the patron.
New Zealand rugby referee Ben O'Keeffe. Photo / Photosport
Garratt said he was also looking to link Tongotea with a former winner, another Māori powerlifter, Cathy Millen – a legend in the sport who won five world titles across three weight classes in the early 1990s and held 11 consecutive world records.
Other winners last night included: Māori Sports Umpire/Referee of the Year: Ben O’Keeffe (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua), Kaipara – rugby.
Māori Sports Administrator of the Year: Gordon Watson (Ngāpuhi), Auckland – football
Māori Sports Coach of the Year: Marty Bourke (Waikato Tainui), Ōtautahi – rugby
Māori Sports Team of the Year: Mareikura U18 Wāhine Māori Team – rugby
Māori Para Athlete of the Year: Cameron Leslie MNZM (Ngāpuhi), Whangārei – Para swimming
Massey University Scholarship: Te Maia Sweetman (Rangitāne ki Tāmaki Nui a Rua), Palmerston North – rugby league
Māori world champions: Dr Karlina Tongotea (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Tonga), Auckland – powerlifting; Waikura Taiapa (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui), Katikati – jiu jitsu
Junior Māori Sportswoman of the Year: Braxton Sorensen-McGee (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai), Tāmaki Makaurau – rugby
Junior Māori Sportsman of the Year: Dylan Pledger (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), Dunedin – rugby
Senior Māori Sportswoman of the Year: Dr Karlina Tongotea (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Tonga), Tāmaki Makaurau – powerlifting
Kiwis lock Joseph Tapine. Photo / Photosport
Senior Māori Sportsman of the Year: Joseph Tapine (Ngāi Tūhoe), Australia – rugby league
Māori Sports Hall of Fame: Dame Lisa Carrington DNZM MNZM (Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tara Tokanui, Ngāti Maniapoto), North Harbour – canoe sprint
