adminMbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE gold artistic medallist Privilege Sande is confident of making a good impression and retaining his title at the Region Five Gymnastics Championships which gets underway next Monday in Namibia.
Sande made the nation proud in last year’s edition of the championships where he scooped two gold medals in artistic.
He picked his first gold medal on vault before getting the second in the rings.
In the Pommel section, Sande won a silver medal before ending his presentation with a bronze in the P-bar category.
Sande feels the Zimbabwe team has talented gymnasts and taking part in big competition is the only way that they can improve.
“We are so excited and we are looking forward to the competition. I am confident that I will retain my title. Last year I won two gold medals then a silver and a bronze medal; and this time am hoping to scoop all thwe gold medals on the table.
“We are in camp and thanks to all our coaches especially Chris Muchatuta who is making sure all is well ahead of the championship.”
Sande is not the only excited participant for Zimbabwe, as new players to the competition Rebekah Conlon, Takeda Chikumbirike and Tiyane Nyahunzi also feel there are ready to represent the country.
The gymnasts will be competing in Artistic, Rhythmic, Aerobics and Trampoline at Walvis Bay in Namibia.
Conlon will take part in the women’s Artistic while Chikumbirike will compete in the Aerobics. Nyahunzi will be fighting up for the Rhythmic title.
“This will be our first time at the championships but we are looking forward to it and hoping for best performances in our routines.
“This is a very busy week for us and we are glad that all is going on well during our training,” said Conlon.
Zimbabwe are hopeful of the best performance in all the disciplines and retain their titles in a number of disciplines but will have to defeat South Africa who are the defending champions.
Angola, Congo, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the hosts Namibia are the participation nations at the championships.
Gymnastics Zimbabwe vice-president and drastic coach Chris Muchatuta said he was happy with the progress which the athletes are making towards the championships.
The gymnasts are in camp at the University of Zimbabwe gymnasium.
“Team preparations are going on well and the gymnasts are ready. The association is still struggling with funding and is trying to bridge the gap between the trip expenses and what the parents can afford but we remain positive in the remaining days.
“We are also receiving support from Namibia to enable us to take our team and have them accommodated,” said Muchatuta.
Savanna Harper in women’s artistic, Charmaine Samudzimu in Rhythmic and Rebekah Roberts in Aerobics are the other gymnasts who are likely to raise the Zimbabwe flag high.
Zimbabwe Gymnastics teams
Men Artistic: Manu Brazier, Priviledge Sande.
Women Artistic: Becky Conlon, Nina Katsande, Savannah Harper,Tara Bingly.
Aerobics: Avril Davies, Rebekah Roberts, Albertina Mashoko, Tayedza Chikumbirike, Nyasha Munzvandi, Victoria Munyanduki.
RHYTHMIC TEAM: JUNIORS; Charmaine Samudzimu, Savannah Grant.
LEVEL 8 : Kiora Joseph, Christine Demblon, Rumbidzo Dangarembizi.
LEVEL 6: Sangiwe Mpofu, Tsitsi Nyamutswa, Georgey Sampson, Chanelle Hencil,
LEVEL 4: v Cenna Ellis, Rufaro Vickers, Tamika Mparuri, Tiyane Nyahunzvi.
Rhythmic Group: Michelle Samudzimu, Mercy Doriyo, Charmaine Samudzimu, Rubizo Dangarembizi, Albetina Mashoko.
COACHES: Sharlinda Fernandes, Cheryl Muchatuta, Kyle Rodger, Chris Muchatuta.
Online Reporter