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Lydia Ko scooped the Supreme Award at the Halbergs but it was Anna Grimaldi who won the hearts of a nation.
Grimaldi, who won the gold medal in the T47 200 metres at the Paris Paralympics in 2024, was crowned the Para athlete/Para team of the Year at the 62nd Halberg Awards on Tuesday night.
When she accepted the award, Grimaldi stole the show with what was easily the most powerful moment at the Halbergs since former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya’s tall poppy syndrome address in 2020.
Grimaldi’s gong was presented by New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympic athlete Dame Sophie Pascoe.
“This means so much getting this from (Dame) Sophie Pascoe,” Grimaldi said. “I looked up to you so much growing up and coming through sport.”
Grimaldi, who was born with a withered right forearm and no functional right hand, then took the crowd at Spark Arena and those watching the live broadcast on an emotional journey from her childhood to where she was now and the confidence she has found through sport.
“The Paralympic movement has changed my life,” Grimaldi proudly said.
“I was a really shy young girl, I think little Anna could not believe that she has a career around her that is solely based on the fact that she has a disability.
“That I’m standing up here without sleeves, without pockets showing that I have one hand... it would blow her mind that we’ve come this far and that we’re able to be professional athletes here in New Zealand,” Grimaldi said.
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