adminAllen Khumalo, Sports Reporter
PENGUINS Swimming Club sensation Brendon Cyprianos, who scooped five medals at the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region Five Games in Angola, yesterday received a heroes’ welcome at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.
Cyprianos scooped silver medals in 200M backstroke, 4X100M freestyle and 4X50M medley, as well as bronze in the 4X50 mixed individual medley and 4X50M mixed freestyle.
He was welcomed by Bulawayo Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) co-ordinator Sam Dzvimbu, Southern Region Sports director Isaiah Mpofu, representatives from the Aquatic Association and Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Eunice Sandi-Moyo’s personal assistant Sichelesile Ncube.
Cyprianos, the only representative from Bulawayo in the Zimbabwe swimming squad, said: “This is a big surprise and an extraordinary reception from friends, family and the Ministry of Sport and Recreation officials. It shows that our efforts as athletes are being appreciated. I learnt a lot from my experience, especially with regards to swimming. The challenge that side was tough with the South African and Botswana teams really coming out strong, but the fact that I was representing my country kept pushing me. My dream is to compete in the Olympics and I hope one day I will be able to represent my country in tournaments of that magnitude.”
After making the finals in all his events, the 18-year-old said the Angola games have shown that hard work and determination pays off.
Cyprianos started swimming at the age of four in 2002 after a near drowning incident. After two years, he then started club training. He captained the Matabeleland and Zimbabwe teams that competed in Mauritius in April at the 2016 African Confederation Zone IV championships. He was also part of the swimming team when Zimbabwe hosted the AUSC Region Five Games in 2014.
The former Christian Brothers College (CBC) student attributed his success to hard work.
“Persistence and consistency has enabled me to become a good swimmer and enabled me to win many medals at swim meets as well as break some provincial and national records,” he said.
Minister Moyo challenged Penguins club to continue nurturing talent for the national team. “I would like to say congratulations to Brendon and thank you for representing the country as well as the province. You have raised the national flag high so we felt it’s a cause for celebration. I also challenge Penguins Swimming Club to continue nurturing talent and produce future stars that will represent the country in bigger competitions.”
Cyprianos also attained two qualifying times for the South African Junior Nationals and is hoping to get a swimming scholarship to the United States of America next year.
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