Favourite sporting moment finalists

Ross Taylor stroking the winning runs to secure cricket’s World Test Championship for the Black Caps is going to take some beating at the annual Halberg Awards next month.

Taylor sealing the triumph against India at Southampton last June is one of 10 finalists for New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment of the Year at the 59th Halberg Awards, to be held in Auckland on February 23.

The award is the only one to be decided by the public, which has no shortage of quality options to vote for.

In addition to Taylor making history, voters have moments from eight sports to choose from, including rowing.

Both Emma Twigg snaring Olympic gold in the single sculls, and the men’s eight bagging gold in dramatic fashion, in Tokyo have made the final list.

Sticking with the Olympics, Dame Lisa Carrington paddling to victory in the K1 500m to become the country’s most successful Olympian is sure to draw plenty of votes.

As will the Black Ferns Sevens romping to gold in Tokyo, and triathlete Hayden Wilde claiming New Zealand’s first medal at the Games, which was followed by an emotional interview.

‘‘New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment is a popular part of the awards for both the athletes and fans,’’ Halberg Foundation chief executive Shelley McMeeken said..

‘‘We are sure it will create much interest and involvement from the public, who will decide the winner.’’

The public can vote once-a-day at www.halbergawards.co.nz. Voting closes at 9pm on February 23.

Headlined by Carrington being up for sportswoman of the year, the 28 finalists for the 2022 awards were revealed on Wednesday.

So close were some of the categories five finalists were announced instead of the usual four. That also reflected taking into account performances in 2020.