He was named Para Swimmer of the Year at the Swimming Bay of Plenty Awards and Para Swimmer of the Year at Taupō Swimming Club's prize giving, as well as taking the award for 2017-2018 Most Improved Freestyle.
Cuda also took part in the Bay of Plenty Secondary School swimming sports as a athlete with disability, coming first in three of the four races. Sports Bay of Plenty awarded him first intermediate boys overall winner.
He qualified for and attended the New Zealand Short Course Championships and placed sixth in the 50m freestyle para multi class, and at the New Zealand Open Championships he was fifth in the 50m freestyle para multi class. He has also attended the New Zealand Special Olympics.
His next major meet is the New Zealand Short Course Championships next week in Auckland where he has qualified for both the 100m freestyle and 50m freestyle, but chosen only to race 50m freestyle.
As well as training in Taupō twice a week he also trains every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Rotorua Aquatic Centre with Te Arawa Swimming, under the watchful eye of Coach Henk Greupink.
Cuda said freestyle is his strongest stroke, but his favourite is actually breaststroke because he likes the movement.
He likes training with his coach Henk, who he describes as "funny but tough".
"He makes me work hard all the time."
During the summer Cuda sometimes trains in the lake with his teacher aide Andrea Southgate and is working towards the 1km lake swim this year with help from Andrea and swim teacher Hillary Westerhoff.
He says he is also grateful for the support of Janet Bishop at Taupō-nui-a-Tia College and Johnson Bishop, another of Taupō's top young swimmers.
"He comes along sometimes and gives me tips."
Besides swimming, Cuda also competes in triathlon and is also working towards his Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award after recently being awarded his Bronze.
Cuda is the recipient of a Team Taupō Junior Sports Scholarship.
