Chronicle Editor
Ellina Mhlanga, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE swimmers Donata Katai and Denilson Cyprianos ,yesterday added to Zimbabwe’s medal tally at the All-Africa Games.
Katai added bronze in the women’s 100m backstroke when she finished third after clocking one minute 03.77 seconds. It was Zimbabwe’s second medal after Cyprianos had earned gold in the 200m backstroke on Sunday.
Cyprianos added his second and Zimbabwe’s third winning silver in the men’s 100m backstroke in 56.32 seconds.
With more swimming events still to be swum, Zimbabwe may add more.
Meanwhile triathlon coach Pamela Fulton is preparing Team Zimbabwe for its African Games event on Friday in Ghana.
The triathlon team consists of Andie Kuipers, Lorna Doorman, Rohnan Nicholson and Callum Smith. The team is currently trying to acclimatise to the hot weather conditions and adjust to the schedule after arriving in Ghana on Monday.
Kuipers, who won a bronze medal at the 2019 edition of the African Games in Morocco, is competing in the elite women’s category, with Doorman. Kuipers is also vying for this year’s Olympic Games.
Nicholson and Smith will represent the country in the elite men’s competition. For the upcoming tri-athletes, their participation is more focused on development than performance.
However, Fulton is confident that the team can perform well, regardless of their experience level.
“We tested all the bikes yesterday; everyone’s bike is good. Rohnan has developed a little bit of an ear infection, so we were at the medical tent last night trying to get it resolved. We have got to get back again today to find out what’s wrong with the ear. Hopefully (it’s) nothing serious,” said Fulton.
“Lorna is relatively new to the sport. She is used to competitive racing in swimming, but not used to competitive racing in triathlon.
“She has got that mind set and she is older than the rest of the team, so I do not doubt that she will perform well.
Bongani Ndlovu