The Sunday News
Sports Correspondent
BULAWAYO swimming sensation Brendon Cyprianos is eager to lead the Zimbabwe team that will compete at African Swimming Confederation Zone 4 Championships in Mauritius in April to victory after being named captain of the boys’ team.
The Zimbabwe Swimming Board of Control announced a 26-member team last week and named Cyprianos and Lorna Doorman captains of the boys and girls teams respectively.
The 18-year-old Christian Brothers College pupil said he was grateful for the honour bestowed on him and will work extra hard to ensure Zimbabwe bags medals at the regional showcase.
“I’m proud and honoured to be given this important role, I am glad my hard work has been recognised and I am ready to lead from the front. I did not expect to be appointed captain but I am ready for the responsibility,” said Cyprianos.
The CANA 4 Championships will be held in Mauritius’ Beau Bassin from 20 to 23 April.
Doorman (17) of Peterhouse Girls was one of the top achievers at the National Swimming Championships held in Bulawayo last weekend when scooping three gold and two silver medals.
The team was selected following the national championships with swimmers who met the qualifying times making the grade.
Mashonaland dominated the meet raking in 3 013 points while Matabeleland came second with 1 744 points, Mashonaland Country Districts had 316 with Manicaland coming overall fourth with 146 points and Midlands only managed to get 11 points.
Meanwhile, 22 swimmers managed to qualify for Level 3 competition and 15 of them would be travelling to compete in South Africa next month.
The swimmers will travel with manager Mary Kloppers to Port Elizabeth for the South African meet to be held between 17 March and 21March.
Cyprianos’ young brother Denilson made the team alongside Tyrel Cooke, Marcelle Masvikeni and Jake Oostinden grade.
The biennial regional competition involves countries from the Southern African region that have been grouped into Zone 4 and include Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Comoros, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, Seychelles, Swaziland Zambia, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Full CANA 4 Zimbabwe Team
Girls 11-12: Paige Van der Westhuisen, Hannah Mitchell
Boys 11-12: Callum Davis, Christian Cullen
Girls 13-14: Nomvula Mjimba, Courtney Brown, Claire Melrose, Chiedza Mtetwa, Maryke Koen, Anotida Makonese
Boys 13-14: Denilson Cyprianos, Tyrel Cooke, Marcelle Masvikeni, Jake Oostindien
Girls 15-16: Shamiso Gambe, Nyasha Mukonoweshuro, Yemurai Shangwa, Hollie Stander
Boys 15-16: Dale Bruce, Liam Davis, Ayman Khatoun.
17-Over Girls: Ashleigh Miller, Lorna Doorman (Capt).
17-Over Boys: James Lawson, Brendon Cyprianos (Capt) Stuart Price.
Level 3 Team
Courtney Brown, Dale Bruce, Christian Cullen, Brendon Cyprianos, Denilson Cyprianos, Callum Davis, Liam Davis, Graham Hoal, Dylan Huang, Carl Kaziboni, Robyn Lee, Ayman Khatoun, Hannah Mitchell, Nomvula Mjimba, Liam O Hara, Aidan Onorati, Chase Onorati, Cole Onorati, Jake Oostindien, Grant Smith, Evan Stoole, Paige Van der Westhuisen, Cory Werrett.
