Chronicle Editor
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
ZIMBABWE’S swimming team that lifted the 2020 Cana Zone IV Championships that were recently held in Botswana has been hailed for their performance, outlining the strong developmental efforts on the sport.
The 34-member squad emerged tops in the medals table after clinching 85 medals, 34 of them being gold and also breaking two championship records, one in the 4 x 100m freestyle girls over 15 relay and another by boys’ captain, Denilson Cyprianos who won gold in the 200m backstroke.
The regional meet saw over 300 swimmers from 13 countries across Southern African converge on the University of Botswana Swimming Pool from 20 to 23 February. Zimbabwe Aquatic Union president Mary Kloppers said they were pleased with the team’s performance as they achieved beyond their expectations.
She said while they knew the team was strong and was going to do well, they did not see it making a clean sweep in the top regional swimming meet.
“The swimmers did exceptionally well and I am glad it was a fun gala as they were not under pressure and they enjoyed every moment of the event which I felt was great for the swimmers. They were able to match the standards which have certainly gone higher although South Africa decided to send a developmental squad, we managed to raise our performance from last year’s meet,” said Kloppers.
She said winning the championships would certainly be a boost in confidence for both the swimmers and the coaches going forward and would give swimmers belief they can improve further. Kloppers said they will keep on working hard on grassroots programmes to develop, fine tune more emerging talent and expects the trend to continue for a long while.
Zimbabwe Swimming Board of Control chairperson, Tracy Doorman said they could not have asked for a better showing from the squad, adding the boys came well to the party and improved last year’s performance.
“From the entries that we had made, we knew it was the boys that would have to up their performance and seeing that we had a strong team we were hopeful they would dominate their section and they did not disappoint.
“The Cana standards have improved over the years and for us to fully dominate the event, winning the girls, boys, the overall championship and two championship records, was a great feat. Remember this is the top region in Africa and we will continue sending strong squad to the event,” she said.
Doorman said the performance was a boost for the whole team as most swimmers had improved personal best times and contributed to the overall final points.
Team manager, Nokuthula Cyprianos said a great team spirit engulfed the Zimbabwe camp and all the swimmers gave their best.
“They (swimmers) all swam their hearts out right from the 100 years old to the 18 year old they played their part in ensuring we come out tops and the team spirit was certainly amazing with a great vibe, which I believe propelled them to perform well,” she said.
The team managed the feat without Ansa Junior Sports Woman of the Year, Donata Katai who elected not to avail herself for selection. The 4 x 100m freestyle girls over 15 relay team posted a championship record when they won their race in four minutes 09,62 while Ansa Junior sportsman of the year runner up, Cyprianos posted two minutes 09,41 to set a new record in the 200m back stroke.
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