Zim swimmers struggle in Angola

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE swimmers at the ongoing African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Games in Angola are finding life hard with just three bronze medals in individual races.

Much was expected from the swimmers, some of who are exposed to better facilities abroad where they are studying.

In the women’s 20 and under 200M freestyle final on Wednesday, Devyn Leask settled for bronze in a time of two minutes 11.32 seconds, with her compatriot Lorna Doorman coming sixth in two minutes 23.26 seconds from a pool of eight swimmers.

Chase Onorati got Zimbabwe’s second bronze medal in the men’s 20 and under 100M freestyle in a time of 54.17 seconds. Bren Cyprianos finished last in one minute 00.93 seconds, which was slower than the 56.53seconds he clocked in the preliminaries.

Robyn Lee and Leask came fourth and fifth in the 50M butterfly in a time of 29.07 seconds and 30.19 seconds respectively.

Lee had been touted as one of Zimbabwe’s trump cards going into the games.

In the women’s 20 and under 100M breaststroke, Rutendo Maruta finished sixth in one minute 26.91 seconds, while Shamiso Gambe was last in one minute 27.75 seconds.

Lee got Zimbabwe’s third bronze medal in the 200M butterfly in two minutes 23.04 seconds. Some swimmers were due to compete in five finals last night.