Lauren Parker has taken out another victory in her illustrious and impressive career, this time winning Sport NSW 'Athlete of the Year with a Disability' category.

The 2022 NSW Sports Awards are NSW’s highest sports honors and the 12 category winners will be revealed at the prestigious rebel NSW Champions of Sport Ceremony at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour on Monday, November 28th.

Lauren has won this incredibly prestigious award twice before and now adds a third title to her already impressive 'trophy cabinet' 

Lauren’s outstanding achievements during the nomination period include:

• 1st place - 2021 World Triathlon Para Championships, Abu Dhabi (Nov 2021).
• Ranked World number 1 World Triathlon Para Women's PTWC, since 2019, and current.
• 1st place - 2022 Ironman World Championships, Utah, Women Handcycle Category (May, 2022).
• 1st place - 2022 Oceania Triathlon Para Championships, Stockton (Mar 2022).
• 1st place - 2022 World Triathlon Para Series, Montreal (July, 2022).
• 1st place - 2022 World Triathlon Para Series, Swansea (Aug, 2022).
• 1st place - 2022 Oceania Triathlon Para Cup, Devonport (Feb, 2022).
• 1st place - 2022 Ironman World Championships, Utah (May, 2022) Women Handcycle category.
• 1st place - Mooloolaba Triathlon, Para-Triathlon category (March, 2022).

Over the 2021/2022 period Lauren continued to build on her remarkable career in the sport of Paratriathlon, not only enjoying success at the highest level but re-defining possibilities and advancing the standing of her sport. 

Now in her 5th season in the sport following a sudden accident on the bike in April 2017, she remains the Number 1-ranked athlete in the world, in her sport of Paratriathlon. 

Lauren has again shown her dominance in both short and longer forms of her sport, enjoying World Championship success in both short course and long course (Ironman) formats. In fact in 2022 Lauren became the first para athlete in history to hold simultaneous World Championship titles in both World Triathlon and Ironman triathlon events. 

After facing the disappointment of being pipped out of the Paralympics gold medal position in the final few meters in Tokyo, 2021, Lauren found even greater levels of determination and resilience to achieve her most successful season yet, winning her 2nd World Triathlon World Championships, (in Abu Dhabi). Before an incredible return to her beloved Ironman racing arena where she become World Champion in the Hand Cycle category, on one of the toughest courses in the world in St George, Utah. 

On Australian soil, Lauren tasted further success in Oceania Triathlon races in Newcastle and Devonport holding off international and domestic challenges for more dominant winning performances. 

In January, Lauren was given the honour of being named 2022 Newcastle Citizen of the Year.

Amongst the success this season Lauren has had to overcome significant personal challenges. Nevertheless Lauren's sporting success along with her incredible attitude and drive have further elevated the sport of Triathlon/Paratriathlon in the national and international sporting landscape, and has without doubt inspired countless people who have been touched by her story of continually overcoming adversity and striving to be her best.