adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
SEVEN Zimbabwean swimmers are expected to leave the country today for the Level Three Swimming Championships that start on Thursday in Cape Town, South Africa.
The gala which ends on Monday is ranked as the second most high-profile event in South Africa after the South African Championships.
Bulawayo’s budding swimming star Andresious Cyprianos, Dale Bruce and Brendon Cyprianos are the three swimmers from Matabeleland Province with Mashonaland Swimming Board’s quartet of Liam Davis, Aidan, Onarati, Chase Onarati and Ratidzo Mutangadira completing the squad.
Team manager Lorna Riley said the swimmers are ready for the regional competition and they expect to bring home medals. “It is our hope that everybody makes into the final of every competition that they will compete in so that they get into Southern Africa’s top 10.
“Chase Onarati and Liam Davis are highly tipped for the medals, but we hope everybody comes to party,” she said.
Andresious has represented Zimbabwe at regional competitions and was part of the national team that participated at the 2012 Zone Six Games held in Lusaka, Zambia.
Riley said they will be joined by South Africa-based Zimbabwean swimmers at Cape Town.
These are Chad Idensohn, Peter Wetzlar and Roxanne Brown they will be trying to beat Youth Olympic qualifying times.
“We do have swimmers who go to school in South Africa and they will be swimming for us if allowed. All the swimmers will try hard to get Olympics qualifying times set by Fina,” she said.
Parents are footing the bills for their children to enable them to compete against Southern Africa’s best youngsters.
Online Reporter