Reid qualifies for world champs
US-based swimmer Christopher Reid has again put his name in the hat for national selection after he swam a qualifying time in the 200m backstroke at the SA National Aquatic Championships in Durban last week.
Reid, who has been living in America to study and further his swimming career, said getting the qualifying time was a relief as he continued his road back to international competition.
Reid was in supreme form in his specialty 200m backstroke event, claiming gold in that race with a time of 1:57.11, which puts him in a strong position when it comes to team selection for the Fina World Aquatic Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, in July.
Reid has been on the comeback trail since 2018, where he competed at the US Winter National Championships, winning gold medals in the 100 and 200m backstroke events.
“Getting the qualifying time in the 200m backstroke is very relieving because I had to change programmes last April.
“I am training with ex-South African Jonty Skinner.
“I have been training full time with him since finishing my collegiate obligations in America and have been working extremely hard to get back into international racing shape.
“Seeing the big time drop in my 200m backstroke, which used to be my main race, it seems to be coming back onto my big-race repertoire again.”
Reid also participated in the 50m and 100m backstroke races, narrowly missing out on the qualifying times.
He also swam a qualifying time for the 100 freestyle relay.
“The signs are there. However, I did have a few technical flaws in some of my races.
“I was not happy with my 100m backstroke. Although I’m 11th in the world for the 200, I want to get back to the top 10 in the world for the 100.
“I need to try and figure out what is going on in the shorter events.
“But in terms of overall performances, I think this is a pretty good start and I can only go forward from here,” the former Grey High pupil said.
Reid said he was excited to be back competing on home soil while spending time with his friends and family.
“It’s great to be back in South Africa, and more so in the Eastern Cape.”
If he is selected, Reid will be attending his first Fina World Championships.
“Just like my Olympic dream, competing at the [Fina World Championships] is another dream of mine.
“I remember watching the event on TV, studying each race and not being able to witness all the behind-thescenes action.
“Hopefully, this time I will witness it live.
“My goal is not just to make the team, but to be competitive if and when I get into the pool.
“The biggest thing about these championships is that they almost act as a trial run ahead of the Olympic Games because here is where you see the best swimmers from all over the world and you can gauge who the strong swimmers are,” he said.
Meanwhile, another former PE swimmer, Kaylene Corbett, who now swims for Tuks, also swam a qualifying time in the 200m backstroke, clocking 2:25.62, to finish second behind double Commonwealth Games gold medallist Tatjana Schoenmaker.