The Black Ferns Sevens' Tokyo Olympics success has been recognised, with the team awarded the title of the Games' best female team.
As part of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) awards in Crete, the New Zealand women's Sevens team were named as the best female team at the Tokyo Games, beating the likes of Canada's gold winning footballers.
The Black Ferns Sevens won gold for the first time at the Tokyo Games, five years after having to settle for silver at Rio de Janeiro, defeated by Australia in the tournament final.
New Zealand's women finished their Tokyo campaign unbeaten, with pool stage victories against Kenya, Great Britain and the Russian Olympic Committee, before a semi-final win over Fiji, and beating France in the gold medal match.
The victory capped off a remarkable five year period in which the Black Ferns Sevens also won the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2018, Commonwealth Games gold on the Gold Coast, and the women's World Sevens Series in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
"This is a huge honour for us," captain Sarah Hirini says.
"It was unreal to win that gold medal and this award just makes that campaign even more special.
"We're really proud of our achievements and success over the last five years and we're excited for what's next."
The Black Ferns Sevens will look to defend their Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2022, with the games to be held in Birmingham.
