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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
STINGRAYS Swimming Academy rising star, Denilson Cyprianos is proving to be the king of the backstroke as he bettered national records he set this year as he won three bronze medals at the 2017 KwaZulu-Natal premier Championships held last week in South Africa.
Cyprianos (15) was third in all the three backstroke finals (50m, 100m and 200m) in the 14-15 age category.
On his way to the podium, the Christian Brothers College pupil set new national records in the 100m and 200m backstroke events.
Cyprianos’ first medal in 100m backstroke event in which he clocked one minute 02.49 seconds to clinch bronze behind South Africans, Jacob Armon who came first in one minute 01.65 seconds while Michael Duckham was second in one minute 02.23 seconds.
His time saw him set new records for both Matabeleland and Zimbabwe. He broke his own Matabeleland record for 15 year olds and also the Matabeleland Record for 16 year olds and 17 year olds which were held by one B Macdonald since 1996.
Cyprianos also broke the 200m backstroke record for 15 year olds, 16 years, 17 years and open age groups for Matabeleland when he hit the touchpad in a time of two minutes 15.80 seconds.
This is also a national Zimbabwe record in the 15 years old age groups.
South African, Ian Brijlal came first in the 200m event in a time of two minutes 14.57 seconds while Duckham came second 17 milliseconds later.
Cyprianos also broke the Matabeleland record in the 50m backstroke swim when he came third in 29.72 seconds, 34 milliseconds behind Armon who clinched gold whole Ethan Koekemoer took the silver medal in 29.42 seconds.
Cyprianos was happy with his performance and is hoping to improve on the times.
“I enjoyed the gala very much despite heading straight into the championships with little swimming practice after having come from national duty in water polo in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
“However, I had put in much work in practice before heading for SA and that paid off as I got two national records and a Mat’land record,” he said.
Cyprianos was part of the national team that took part in the 2017 South Africa Schools Water Polo Tournament that ran from 8 to 13 December before heading for the KZN Premier Champs that ran from 16 to 22 December.
Another Stingrays swimmer, Quintin Tayali, who swam in the same heat as South African Olympic medalist, Chad Le Clos, set a new Matabeleland record in the 200m butterfly (16 year olds) when he completed the race in two minutes 20.20 seconds. The previous record of two minutes 20.63 second was held by Andresious Cyprianos.
Stingrays coach, Edmore Cyprianos was pleased with the performance of his swimmers adding their objective of making national and Matabeleland records was achieved.
“The results show we are on the right track and we will keep on pushing to get better. We are targeting to meet times to qualify for the 2018 Youth Olympics Games that are scheduled for Buenos Aires, Argentine in October,” he said.
The two swimmers were also accompanied by their parents, Nokuthula Cyprianos and Thando Tayali.
The KZN Premier Championships that incorporate the Commonwealth Trials are a very prestigious gala as seen by the participation of top swimmers such as Le Clos.
Online Reporter