The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
ZIMBABWE junior swimming captain, Brendon Cyprianos is set for greater heights in the sport after being awarded a scholarship by Mars Hill University in North Carolina, United States of America.
The former Christian Brothers College pupil leaves the country this week for his new base where he will be stationed for the next four years.
An excited Cyprianos said he was looking forward to his career taking a new turn as he looks ahead to participating at the next Olympics. He revealed he had worked hard to earn the scholarship and would take the opportunity with both hands.
“It has always been my aim to take that great leap and get the chance to improve my swimming.
“I hope being able to get the advanced training and working with coaches at a higher level will enable me to reach my full potential and ably represent my country in various competitions around the world,” said Cyprianos.
The former Carmel and Whitestone pupil led Zimbabwe’s juniors’ team to victory in the Cana Zone IV Championships that were held in Bulawayo in February. Cyprianos said he is eyeing Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and 2019’s Fina World Aquatics Championships scheduled for South Korea.
Brendon is following the footsteps of his brother, Andressious who is at Pace University in New York.
“I have been talking to Andre about his experiences and he has told me the training is intense in the States unlike this side. He said training is a lot harder with a lot of gym sessions which are more complicated than what we are used to but he added with time one gets used.
“He also advised me that the best way to pull through and reach one’s goals is to stay focused and work hard,” he said.
Brendon played multiple sports at CBC that included cricket, soccer and hockey but chose to focus on swimming. He holds several national swimming records.
On the academic side, Brendon was admitted to study marketing at Mars Hill.
Brendon’s father and coach, Eddie said he was happy doors were opening for his son and it was up to the swimmer to go out there and work hard.
“I would like to see him improve and better his time with the aim being to get as close to the Olympic times as possible.
“Discipline, staying focused and working hard will do him some good while not allowing the new environment to intimidate him,” he said adding he had advised Brendon to select his friends carefully and ensure those close to him add value to whatever he is doing.
Andressious has been making waves at Pace University both in the swimming pool and classroom since his move to the US two years ago and last year earned All-American honourable mentions and Brendon is hoping to emulate him.
