Six-time Olympic medallist Dame Lisa Carrington has been awarded the prestigious Lonsdale Cup for 2021, the year in which she became New Zealand’s most successful ever Olympian.
At the Tokyo Olympic Games Dame Lisa claimed a staggering three gold medals, taking her Olympic medal total to six, made up of five gold and one bronze.
The medal wins followed on from her success at previous Olympic Games. Dame Lisa made her Olympic debut at London 2012 where she claimed gold in the K1 200. Four years later she defended her gold medal, and won bronze in the K1 500.
At the Tokyo Olympic Games Dame Lisa had a gruelling schedule, competing in 12 races in the space of six days. Not only did she win her third consecutive K1 200 gold medal (in an Olympic best time of 38.12s), but she also won gold in the K1 500 and K2 500 and ended her campaign with a fourth placing in the K4 500. Her success in Tokyo made her the first New Zealand female to claim three successive Olympic gold medals.
“It is a real privilege and honour to receive the Lonsdale Cup,” said Dame Lisa.
“I’m thrilled with what we managed to achieve last year and would like to thank everyone who was involved in our campaign. I feel very lucky to be a professional athlete and I can’t wait to get back out there and keep wearing the fern and representing New Zealand.”
NZOC President Mike Stanley extended his congratulations to Dame Lisa.
“Dame Lisa’s achievements in Tokyo are nothing short of remarkable,” said Stanley.
“The drive, determination and grit that went into that campaign is huge and inspired New Zealanders up and down the country.
“Congratulations on writing yet another chapter in New Zealand’s proud sporting history, we are very proud to present you with the Lonsdale Cup.”
On the World Championship stage, Dame Lisa has won a staggering ten world championship golds – including seven successive K1 200m titles - and a total medal haul of 17. She is a four-time winner of the Sportswoman of the Year award at the Halberg Awards. In 2016 she claimed the Halberg Supreme Award and in 2021 was presented the honour of Halberg Sportswoman of the Decade. This is her third time being awarded the Lonsdale Cup.
Raised in Ohope Beach the canoe sprint paddler is of Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki and Ngāti Porou descent, and was judged as the most influential Maori sports personality of the past 30 years.
Dame Lisa is a leader in sport and inspires young New Zealanders, especially young women, to live healthier lives, and follow their sporting dreams.
Dame Lisa is coached by Gordon Walker.
The Lonsdale Cup is the New Zealand Olympic Committee’s most prestigious award and is presented annually by the New Zealand Olympic Committee to the athlete or team that has made the most outstanding contribution to an Olympic or Commonwealth Sport.
The Lonsdale Cup was first awarded in 1961, with Sir Murray Halberg the inaugural recipient. Since then it has been won by a host of inspirational New Zealanders who have represented our country with pride and passion. Past winners include Dame Valerie Adams, Lisa Carrington, Sir John Walker, Barbara Kendall, Sir Peter Snell and many more.
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