Zimbabwe swimming sensation Andresious Cyprianos leaves today for a scholarship at Pace University in New York, United States.
The former Christian Brothers College pupil was rewarded for almost a decade of intense practice and participation in tournaments which saw him collect a medal haul of over 120 since 2008.
On Saturday his family held a farewell dinner attended by school friends, teachers, swimming colleagues, city business community and the Zimbabwe Aquatic Association boss Lorna Riley.
Riley said the swimmer was the first in a long time from Bulawayo to win a scholarship to study and swim abroad and they were proud of his achievement.
“We’re very proud of Cyprianos, he gives 100 percent into swimming and has done very well I’m thrilled that he got the scholarship,” said Riley
The former Christian Brothers College pupil was rewarded for almost a decade of intense practice and participation in tournaments which saw him collect a medal haul of over 120 since 2008.
On Saturday his family held a farewell dinner attended by school friends, teachers, swimming colleagues, city business community and the Zimbabwe Aquatic Association boss Lorna Riley.
Riley said the swimmer was the first in a long time from Bulawayo to win a scholarship to study and swim abroad and they were proud of his achievement.
“We’re very proud of Cyprianos, he gives 100 percent into swimming and has done very well I’m thrilled that he got the scholarship,” said Riley
“He’s the first swimmer in Matabeleland who has won a swimming scholarship to the United States of America,” she said.
Cyprianos said he felt honoured to have won the scholarship and hoped it would serve as an inspiration to young swimmers to want to scale greater heights in the sport.
“I’m honoured to have been awarded this scholarship, it’ll enhance my swimming in a country with some of the best athletes in the world.
“I’d like to thank my parents for supporting me through every stage of my life, I couldn’t have made it this far without them,” said Cyprianos whose father Eddie and mother Nokuthula have been very supportive.
They have over the years driven their son and two other brothers Brendon and Denilson to events around the country and Southern Africa in pursuit of swimming glory.
The multi-talented athlete will read a degree in arcturial sciences.
Cyprianos represented his school in cricket, hockey and football and was impressive in all his sporting disciplines as well as academic subjects.
His charisma and discipline saw him among the school’s prefects and he had very outstanding subsidiary level results in 2013 and completed his Advanced Level studies last year.
“I’ve always been good in many sporting disciplines and if the university allows me, I’ll also add football,” he said.
The swimmer said his goal was to improve on his swimming and represent the country in international tournaments like the World Championships and Olympics.
If he hits the ground running in the US, he could swim All-Africa Games qualifying standards for the showpiece to be held in Congo-Brazzaville this year.
“I’m sure I’ll learn a lot in the United States of America, which I’ll use in the future when I swim for my country,” he said.
Eddie said his son’s achievement was a dream indeed come true and would serve to motivate and inspire his two brothers and other swimmers in the country to follow his footsteps.
“I’m proud of him and I’ve complete faith that he’ll succeed in everything he’ll be tasked with doing in America,” he said.
Cyprianos said he felt honoured to have won the scholarship and hoped it would serve as an inspiration to young swimmers to want to scale greater heights in the sport.
“I’m honoured to have been awarded this scholarship, it’ll enhance my swimming in a country with some of the best athletes in the world.
“I’d like to thank my parents for supporting me through every stage of my life, I couldn’t have made it this far without them,” said Cyprianos whose father Eddie and mother Nokuthula have been very supportive.
They have over the years driven their son and two other brothers Brendon and Denilson to events around the country and Southern Africa in pursuit of swimming glory.
The multi-talented athlete will read a degree in arcturial sciences.
Cyprianos represented his school in cricket, hockey and football and was impressive in all his sporting disciplines as well as academic subjects.
His charisma and discipline saw him among the school’s prefects and he had very outstanding subsidiary level results in 2013 and completed his Advanced Level studies last year.
“I’ve always been good in many sporting disciplines and if the university allows me, I’ll also add football,” he said.
The swimmer said his goal was to improve on his swimming and represent the country in international tournaments like the World Championships and Olympics.
If he hits the ground running in the US, he could swim All-Africa Games qualifying standards for the showpiece to be held in Congo-Brazzaville this year.
“I’m sure I’ll learn a lot in the United States of America, which I’ll use in the future when I swim for my country,” he said.
Eddie said his son’s achievement was a dream indeed come true and would serve to motivate and inspire his two brothers and other swimmers in the country to follow his footsteps.
“I’m proud of him and I’ve complete faith that he’ll succeed in everything he’ll be tasked with doing in America,” he said.
By: Farai Diza
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