Lisa Carrington was acknowledged for her record breaking 2015 season by winning the Sportswoman of the Year at the World Paddle Awards in Barcelona, Spain on Saturday night.

It was a true recognition for the hard work, determination and outstanding results that the 2012 Olympic champion produced in the past 12 months.

Carrington made headlines by becoming the first New Zealander to win the women’s K1 500 World Championship and backed that up with victory in the K1 200 to become a dual world champion.

In addition to her success at the World Championships, Carrington won a further four K1 World Cup gold medals to cap off a dominant year in canoe sprint.

The 26-year-old now looks set to become New Zealand’s greatest kayak sprinter ever and enters the Olympic year in the prime of her career.

Carrington was honoured to receive the award from an organisation she respects so highly.

“I am a huge fan of the world paddle awards,” Carrington said.

“To be recognised internationally for kayaking for a sport as a whole is really special and I think it is something that we have been missing for a long time.”

“It is nice to be recognised and also to recognise all kayakers from all around the world.”

Carrington’s outstanding performances on the water has won her many admirers off it. Today she is a fantastic role-model for young paddlers and an inspiration to women all around the world.

Source: Writer: Tom Collings, World Paddle Awards.