Taranaki Sports Awards 2021 -  Overall Sportsperson of the Year, Senior Sportsman of the Year

​​​​​​Zac Reid’s record-breaking efforts were rewarded with his selection to represent New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021. At the games  Zac won his heat in the Men’s 800m free, breaking his own New Zealand record in the process and finishing 18th out of 34.  He also competed in the 400m free, where he placed 23 out of 36.

While dealing with  significant Covid-19 disruption during the build-up to the Olympics, Zac found ways to keep training. He came out of the series of lockdowns and hit top form, breaking the New Zealand record in the 800m free short course event before also besting the Taranaki record in the 200m, 400m and 800m free events in quick succession.

He broke the Taranaki long course record again in the 800m free when posting his Olympic qualifying time and another New Zealand record time of 7:53.50.

Zac is a solid supporter of Swimming Taranaki and can be regularly found at events presenting medals to junior swimmers or chatting and laughing with other members of his swimming club.

He earned the 2020 Taranaki Swimmer of the Year award and picked up a record fourth victory in the Flannagan Cup ocean swim in February 2021.