It has been an impressive year for Ellesse Andrews, led by a history-making performance at the Commonwealth Games.
The 22-year-old [23 on New Year's Day] joined an exclusive club of Kiwis by winning three golds at the same event in Birmingham.
How does one sum up the year Andrews has had?
"Yeah, it's definitely been a whirlwind," she joked.
A whirlwind is arguably putting it lightly.
"It's been a really tough year for our team and for Cycling New Zealand but I think we've got a really positive environment to band together and really push towards what we want to achieve," Andrews said.
That, becoming an Olympic champion.
But, go back to the start of the year, when she was better known as a surprise Olympic silver medallist. That saw pressure bestowed upon Andrews for Birmingham.
"I just almost put that to the side, moved on, Commonwealth Games was the next thing on my mind and I was able to just continue forward with that," she said.
And continue forward she did. Across the finish line first, a thrilling three times to grab glorious golds.
"I've been thinking I need to get a better place for them but they're in my closet right now," she said when asked where she keeps her medals.
And if she has her way, she may need a bigger closet in just 18 months' time.
Though Andrews knows she now has a target on her back before the Paris qualification competitions.
"But I also don't really feel that," she said. "I can go to a competition and I know who the big dogs are but I don't really think of myself as one of those big dogs.
"I don't know how that works, but in my mind, I'm just doing my thing."
If 2022 is anything to go by, Andrews should definitely continue just doing her thing.
