DESERVED: King Country paracyclist Nicole Murray is a finalist in her category at the upcoming Halberg Awards after a stellar 2022. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Former Waitomo Caves worker Nicole Murray is beaming a pretty wide smile at the moment.
On the back of a red-hot year, which saw her win numerous races, Murray has been announced as a finalist in the Para Athlete of the Year for the Halberg Awards.
It’s the first time she has been nominated for something like that and it’s safe to say she’s thrilled.
“I am over the moon. It’s incredibly exciting that I have been nominated. Being able to attend something like that alongside some of New Zealand’s most decorated athletes will be something incredibly special to cherish.”
Murray cannot wait to share the stage with some New Zealand sporting greats.
“Just being nominated alongside Sophie Pascoe is an incredible honour for me. Sophie is such a great person and has dominated para-swimming for so long, while Adam Hall, Cameron Leslie and Corey Peters are also great competitors.
“You also have able body athletes like Dame Lisa Carrington, Paul Coll and all the sporting teams. I t is just a tribute to how strong we are as a sporting country.”
“I would love to win the trophy; it would be a huge honour for me.“ Don’t count her out of taking home the prestigious Halberg Award.
“I had my best year last year and feel I deserve to be there like everyone else.” Murray was also excited at the chance to dress up.
“I am so excited. Hopefully, a couple of my family members will come with me and we can have a really fun and enjoyable night.”
Murray was pleased with her deeds on the bike in 2022.
“It was by far the best year I have had. I was incredibly proud of how well I did on the bike. Things are going well, and we are looking forward to getting stuck in to racing in 2023.”
This is going to be big with plenty on the calendar.
“We are just working through a few small things trying to my prosthetics correct so I can go even faster.
“Just working with everyone making sure that when March rolls around I am ready to go.”
Murray said she was loving the challenge of competing around the world.
“I get to visit places I have never been and that’s super exciting.
“On the back of last year, I just want to continue improving and better my performances.”
Last year, she snared six medals all up, three impressive gold medals, a silver and two bronze.
This year, cycling is doing something different come August and Murray cannot wait to be part of it.
It sees the para-cyclists, mountain bikers, road cyclists and BMX riders all converging on Glasgow, Scotland in August for a Super World Championships that sees the different cycling disciplines compete over the same weekend.
Murray also has the road cycling world cups in Italy, Belgium and Alabama where she will have her sights set on more medals.
The Halberg Awards are live on Sky Sport on February 15 from 8pm.
