Powerlifter takes supreme CHB award home

by Shane Hurndell
Friday, Nov 06, 2020 11:00 PM

National powerlifting champion Luke Wright captured the supreme award at the Central Hawke's Bay Sports Awards function in Waipukurau tonight.

Wright produced some outstanding achievements during the judging period for the Sport Hawke's Bay-organised CHB Mail-sponsored awards which attracted more than 300 people to the Centralines Sports Complex.

His highlight was winning gold at the December Asia Pacific Championships in Hong Kong. This achievement was an appropriate reward or his training regime which consists of two to three hours each day four to five days each week. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic Wright was unable to attempt to retain his national title won in August last year.

A key architect in the formation of the CHB powerlifting team, Wright, is helping aspiring powerlifters compete at national level. He beat Senior Female award winner, equestrian's Brooke Edgecombe, Junior Male award winner, gymnast Lachie Kirk, Junior Female award winner, netballer Parris Petera, Masters award winner, cyclist Sandy Wiggins, Junior Team award winners, Central Hawke's Bay College's hockey 1st XI and Senior Team award winners, Thirsty Whale Otane Netball, in the battle for the supreme award.

It was a memorable night for the sport of equestrian. In addition to the Horse of the Year Show's Olympic Cup showjumping winner Edgecombe taking home the Senior Female award promising showjumper Dylan Bibby won the Emerging Talent award and eventing legend, Olympian Mary Darby, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The Otane netballers also had plenty to celebrate. In addition to the Senior Team award coach Annemarie Kupa retained the coach award and her daughter, Petera, took home the Junior Female award.

Television personality Geoff Bryan was the evening's MC. He has covered eight Olympic Games, five Commonwealth Games and numerous rugby, cricket and football World Cups.

Award winners were:

Central Design Print Hall of Fame: Mary Darby (Equestrian).

Findex Administrator: Tim Mackie (Cycling).

Hawke's Bay Today Official: Graeme Ward (Surf Lifesaving).

Aqua Management Club: CHB Rugby and Sports.

Central FM Coach: Annemarie Kupa (Netball).

Sloans Saddlery/CHB Party Hire Service: Amanda Withers (Tennis/Squash), Brian Ellen (Hockey), Graeme Ward (Surf Lifesaving). Josh Ross (Squash).

LMS Insure Masters: Sandy Wiggins (Cycling).

Caltex Junior Team: CHB College First XI Hockey.

Plus Rehab Senior Team: Thirsty Whale Otane Netball.

New World Waipukurau Emerging Talent: Dylan Bibby (Equestrian).

Forsyth Barr Community Impact: CHB Swim-4-Lives.