When Guy Harrison joined the Para Sport Collective, supported by ACC, he had ambitions of competing as a Para swimmer. Yet following a classification decision, the Napier-raised all-rounder is now pursuing goals in not one, but two other Para sports.
Excelling internationally in Para golf, the versatile Para athlete has also returned to Para triathlon and harbours ambitions of competing in that Para sport at LA28.
Announced as part of the first cohort of the Para Sport Collective in mid-2023, Guy initially dreamed of representing New Zealand as a Para swimmer. However, those hopes were dashed in early 2024 following his international classification.
“It didn’t go to plan,” he says. “It was decided I was not an S8 Para swimmer but an S9, which took away any chance of qualifying for Paris 2024.”
Frustrated by the decision, Guy sought comfort on the golf course — a sporting passion first developed during his childhood.
After suffering a major seizure at the age of three, Guy sustained brain damage and cerebral palsy. To aid his rehabilitation, he took up golf at the age of five.
“Golf was a great sport to keep me moving because of the low-impact nature of the game,” he explains. “When I first started, I had a shortened five iron and putter and followed Dad around Awatoto Golf Club, and it just went from there.”
Selected to represent Golf Hawke’s Bay at a Junior Interprovincial tournament in 2019, Guy knew he was a capable player. However, after winning several disability golf tournaments during the 2023/24 season – and following the Para swimming classification setback – he began devoting more time to the sport.
Over the past two seasons, the Parafed Manawatū Advisor has excelled in all-abilities golf both in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. Since first competing on the European circuit in 2024, he has enjoyed his best season to date, recording five wins and two runner-up finishes from seven starts.
The highlight came when he claimed the 2026 NZ All Abilities title at Windross Farm in Auckland in February – a huge thrill for the 24-year-old.
“I honestly can’t believe it,” he says. “It was a relief to finally get a New Zealand name on the trophy after three years of Aussies claiming the title. It’s nice to inspire other Kiwi players and show that it is possible to win this event.”
Yet despite his golfing success, Guy has not given up on his dream of representing New Zealand at the Paralympic Games and now has big ambitions in Para triathlon.
Holder of the national men’s 800m and 1500m T35 records, who formerly competed in Para athletics and with a strong Para swimming background, Guy first experienced Para triathlon in 2021.
“I first attempted Para triathlon after my running career ended,” he explains. “I was tracking really well before needing ankle surgery. I switched to Para swimming because I didn’t want to risk re-injuring myself with the high training loads required to get back to my previous running level.
“After three years, my foot has finally recovered enough for me to run at the pace needed and, after the disappointment of missing out on Paris 2024, it’s nice to be back giving Para triathlon another go.”
Balancing three swim sessions, two run, two gym, and one bike session each week, Guy has already competed in several triathlon events. He was first across the line in his classification, claiming gold at the 2025 Para National Triathlon Championships in Mount Maunganui.
Targeting both the Auckland Para Triathlon Championships and the National Para Championships on back-to-back weekends later this year in November, Guy hopes to continue progressing. Currently competing as a PTS3 Para triathlete, he is aiming to secure international classification by the end of the year.
“If everything goes to plan with classification, I hope to have a crack at qualifying for LA28,” he says.
Whatever happens in the future, Guy reflects fondly on his time with the Para Sport Collective.
“The big takeaways during my time on the Collective were around fuelling the body, mindset, and understanding that many Para athletes are a different breed — sometimes selfish decisions are necessary to perform at your best,” he says.
“All these factors have helped me make massive gains over the past two years. I’m very thankful for the opportunity, and it was great to meet so many Para athletes through the Collective who have now become good mates.”
***We will continue to follow the fortunes of Guy Harrison as he seeks selection in Para triathlon for LA28.
