Taiko Torepe-Ormsby has set the Apollo Projects New Zealand Swimming Championships alight, swimming a New Zealand Record in the marquee sprint event.

Contesting his 50m Freestyle heat at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatics Centre, Taiko from Christchurch, was a cut above, leaving the crowd on their feet and in disbelief as he produced the fastest 50m Freestyle swim ever by a New Zealander, touching the wall in 21.86s.

The time is under the Olympic qualification standard and is the first time a New Zealander has ever swum the distance in under 22-seconds.

“I’m lost for words to be honest, I’ve dreamed about this moment for my whole life,” says Taiko.

“I’ve been going fast the last couple of days, doing the sets my coach told me and I just can’t believe I got that Olympic time.”

Taiko has been living and studying in the US for the past three years, swimming for the University of Wisconsin.

Three-time Paralympian Cameron Leslie was also in the pool, hitting another Paris qualification time, winning the 50m Freestyle (S4) in 38.14s.

“That was really good, the goal was for a no-breath 50m, I’d never done that before and did it in a good time so I’m happy as,” says Cameron.

“I just enjoy swimming, I love the training and the competition and it’s great to be here this week.”

Seven athletes have now hit the Olympic qualification time, while four athletes have hit the Paralympic qualification time.

More than 180 athletes are competing at the 2024 Apollo Projects NZ Swimming Championships, being held from Tuesday April 9 to Saturday April 13.

The event is the final opportunity for New Zealand’s top swimmers to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Heats were held from 10am each morning, with finals held in the evening from 5.40pm.

All sessions of the event were livestreamed live and free on the Whakaata Maori YouTube channel at this link. Times and results are available here.