Dame Noeline Taurua, Kane Williamson, Lisa Carrington - they're all household names you'd expect to see amongst the Halberg Award finalists.
But have you heard of Israel Adesanya and his coach Eugene Bareman?
The mixed martial arts champion and his coach are both up for big awards - and the pair say it's exciting their sport is finally getting recognised alongside more traditional codes like rugby, cricket and netball.
RNZ reporter Katie Doyle headed along to their gym in central Auckland to find out the secrets of their success.
