This year’s Halberg Awards saw some of sport’s best and fastest receive due recognition; as for future recipients, some may have already embarked on their road to the top thanks to the recent Halberg Games.
Cambridge High School’s Thomas Szabo in action during the games. Photo: Halberg-Photosport NZ
Featuring athletes aged 8-21 years from throughout the country with physical or visual impairments, the games provide a springboard for higher competition while celebrating inclusiveness.
Auckland’s King’s College hosted this year’s event over Anzac weekend and it featured more than 200 athletes, including Cambridge’s Thomas Szabo.
Numerous track and field and swimming events made for a busy weekend, the Cambridge High School student said.
“My main sports were athletics and swimming, the competitive ones, but there were have-a-go sports too. I also played football, golf and bowls, so I didn’t stop very often.”
Thomas was particularly on form for shotput where he recorded the second longest distance of the day. In the pool, he swam in breaststroke and freestyle events while also helping ensure Waikato won the athlete relay for the second year in a row.
Te Awamutu College’s Daniel Kits in action during the games. Photo – Halberg/Photosport NZ
Thomas, 17, is already somewhat of a veteran having competed at the games since their inception 10 years ago.
“I didn’t know much about para sports and other disabilities when I started. The Halbergs helped me get out of my comfort zone and meet new people with disabilities different to mine,” he said.
“Since then, I’ve become more inspired by seeing the smiles on the faces of the little kids who are just joining now and enjoying it. I used to smile like that and I still do.”
Beyond the Halbergs, Thomas, who lives with cerebral palsy, is focused on loftier laurels. A reunion with former schoolmate Devon Briggs may be on the cards even if the two don’t go head-to-head (or wheel-to-wheel) on the track.
“I’m now aiming for the Brisbane Paralympics in 2032. I transitioned from swimming to track cycling about a year and a half, or two, ago. I went to school with him and I was in his classification, C3, but I’ve now been reclassified as a C2.”
Briggs won world championship gold in Rio de Janeiro last year – with a world record along the way – and the Halberg Games played a role in his success.
“It’s one of the most amazing competitions because children can be themselves and they don’t have to worry about their disability.”
He spoke at the opening of the games and helped across three days of competition.
In total, 23 awards were presented to athletes and supporters for their efforts over the course of the Halberg Games.
Cambridge High School’s Thomas Szabo in action during the games. Photo: Halberg-Photosport NZ
Waikato team photo, Day 1 of the 10th Halberg Games at King’s College, Auckland, New Zealand on Thursday 24 April 2025. © Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
