Butcher named Otago's supreme winner
Otago kayaker Finn Butcher shone with provincial pride from abroad last night.
The Olympic gold medallist was named the supreme winner at the Otago Sports Awards at the Edgar Centre.
He was also named sportsman of the year.
The Central Otago athlete is in Europe competing on the world cup circuit and could not attend.
But the humble 30-year-old from Alexandra gave a short speech on video.
"One of my big things, especially last year, but also throughout my whole career, is to represent my region and my community with pride," he said.
"And, you know, it was a big part of competing in Paris for me. And hopefully, I did that well.
"I had a mouthguard in the kayak cross that had the Otago colours on it and looked at that every time before I ripped in down that ramp.
"And, yeah, I think one big moment for me was where I got sent the front page of the Otago Daily Times just before the Olympics started, and I was on the front page of the sport."
Butcher joined the ranks of southern sporting greats when he won Olympic gold in men's kayak cross in August last year.
But he won over even more fans with his warmth and grounded approach.
The queen of the slopes was the night's other big winner.
Wānaka snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott was named sportswoman of the year.
She is a four-time winner of the supreme award and had another wonderful year.
She claimed two gold and one silver on the world cup circuit and claimed the overall title.
Sadowski-Synnott was overseas training but accepted the award in a video speech.
"When I look back on this past year, I am filled with an immense amount of gratitude coming back from my ankle injury," she said.
"It was a year filled with challenges and growth, and I wouldn't be here without the incredible support system that I have around me."
There was some surprise when the Otago men's 4x100m relay team was named team of the year.
They snatched their fourth consecutive national title and also beat the Australian teams at the Australian national track and field championships. They broke a 19-year-old Otago record in that race.
The Otago Sparks might have been considered the favourites for the award in some circles.
They defended the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield in dramatic fashion.
White Ferns spinner Eden Carson shook off a chest infection and thumped an unbeaten 59 from 43 balls to help her side overhaul Auckland's formidable tally of 291 for five in perhaps one of the greatest games at the University Oval.
Dunedin Paralympian Anna Grimaldi, named para athlete of the year, had another exceptional season. She brought home gold in the 200m and nabbed bronze in 100m T47 events at the Paris Paralympics.
Grimaldi also collected bronze in the 100m and silver in the long jump at the world championships in 2024.
Her coach, Michael Jacobs, was named coach of the year for his role in her success.
Wānaka freeskier Finley Melville Ives collected the junior sportsman award. The teenager had a breakthrough year, winning the 2025 freeski halfpipe world championship.
Queenstown's Ruby Star Andrews was named junior sportswoman.
She also made big strides, finishing in the top 10 on the world stage on three occasions.
Cricket umpire Chris Gaffaney was named official of the year. He made history as the first New Zealand man to officiate a T20 World Cup final.
Dunedin surfer Alexis Owen was named emerging talent. The 16-year-old became the youngest athlete to claim the New Zealand open men's surfing title earlier this year.
The innovation in sport award went to the team behind the New Zealand Grand Prix held at Highlands Motorsport Park.
The services to sport award went to Jim Hoffman, who has been described as the backbone of Otago badminton.
Hoffman has contributed to the sport as a player, coach, team manager and administrator.
It is estimated he has introduced more the 10,000 people to the sport during his more than 50 years of involvement in badminton.
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