World champion rower Storm Uru is the supreme winner of the 2007 NATIONAL MAORI SPORTS AWARDS screening on Maori Television tonight (Saturday November 24 at 9.30 PM).

Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust hosted the prestigious black tie ceremony at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua. Uru beat a world-class field of finalists to take the title of senior Maori sportsman for the second year in a row before accepting the supreme award – the Albie Pryor Memorial Maori Sportsperson of the Year.

Uru is currently one of the sport's top lightweight scullers. He took a bronze medal in the under-23 world championships in 2005, following this up with the gold medal in 2006 – a feat he repeated in Strathclyde in 2007. Originally from Invercargill, the Ngai Tahu athlete trains at Lake Karapiro and will attempt to qualify in the lightweight double scull for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The 2007 winners and special award recipients are:

Special Award – Tohu Motuhake: Stacey Jones (Ngapuhi), Rugby League

Maori World Champions Awards: Jason Wynyard (Ngapuhi, Ngati Maniapoto), Woodchopping; Karmyn Wynyard (Tainui), Wood Sawing; Dion Lane (Tainui), Woodchopping; Storm Uru (Ngai Tahu), Rowing; Ramona Belmont (Ngati Kahungunu), Cue Ball; Luke Thompson (Ngapuhi), Tae Kwon Do; Mihi Wells (Ngapuhi), Body Boarding

Disabled Maori Sports Person of the Year – Te Toihuarewa: Matthew Lack (Whakatohea), Wheelchair Racing

Maori Sports Coach of the Year – Te Maru o Tumatauenga: Yvette McCausland–Durie (Ngati Awa), Netball

Best Community Initiative Award – He Oranga Poutama: Tu Toa Charitable Trust – Massey University/Correspondence School

Maori Sports Media Award of the Year – Te Reo o te Para Whakawai: Te Kauhoe Wano (Te Ati Awa, Ngati Awa), Toa TV – Airini Mason documentary for Maori Television

Junior Maori Sportswomen of the Year – Te Tamahine-a-Papatuanuku: Susie Bates (Ngai Tahu), Cricket/Basketball

Junior Maori Sportsman of the Year – Te Tama-a-Ranginui: Zac Guildford (Ngati Kahungunu), Rugby

Senior Maori Sportswomen of the Year – Hineahuone: Ramona Belmont (Ngati Kahungunu), Cue Sports

Senior Maori Sportsman of the Year – Te Tama-a-Tanenuiarangi: Storm Uru (Ngai Tahu), Rowing

Albie Pryor Memorial Maori Sports Person of the Year – Rongomaraeroa: Storm Uru (Ngai Tahu), Rowing 

 Ends