New Zealand's double Olympic shot put champion Valerie Adams is in contention for the globally recognised Laureus Sports Awards which will be announced in Shanghai tonight.
The four-time world champion is one of six finalists in the sportswoman of the year category.
The 30-year-old Adams is unbeaten in 56 competitions over the past four years and is up against tennis stars Serena Williams and Li Na, Nordic skier Marit Bjorgen, Ethiopian runner Genzebe Dibaba and alpine skier Tina Maze.
Serena Williams poses with the Australian Open trophy for the sixth time Photo: Photosport
Earlier this year Adams was named internaional athletics female athlete of the year, after winning all seven Diamond League events and gold medals at the Glagow Commonwealth Games and the world indoor champs.
New Zealand shot putter Valerie Adams with the gold medal at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Poland. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
She has spent the past six months working her way back to fitness after surgery to her left shoulder and right elbow in September.
Adams is targeting her third Olympic gold medal at next year's Rio Olympics.
The men's nominees include tennis player Novak Djokovic, motor racing driver Lewis Hamilton, golfer Rory McIlroy and footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a finalist in the men's category. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
