HARARE - Fears that Zimbabwe’s presence on the international swimming map will fade away when Kirsty Coventry retires have been put to rest by the emergence of Robyn Lee.
The swimming star-in-making has been breaking records at all the international swimming events she has taken part in recently.
Fourteen-year-old Lee has been steadily growing in confidence over the last five years and in the process gaining recognition as one of Zimbabwe’s brightest swimming prospects.
At the just-ended Junior African Championship in Zambia, Lee won four gold medals and one bronze in the five events he took part in.
Her performance helped Zimbabwe secure a third place finish in Zambia.
The Australian-based swimmer took up the sport when she was only seven and she has never looked back since then.
In 2007, the Lee family moved to Durban where she continued with her exploits in the pool.
Lee was ranked as one of the best swimmers of her age in South Africa.
In 2011, Lee’s family moved to Australia and again she put every effort into her swimming career, featuring among the top swimmers Down Under.
However, despite her relocation, Lee has always kept very close ties with Zimbabwean swimming.
She has broken numerous national records, including a number of those set by her sporting hero and swimming icon Coventry.
In August, Lee put up a spirited performance at the World Junior Swimming Championships held in Dubai.
The contest was a qualifying event for the Youth Olympic Games scheduled for China in 2014 and Lee achieved positive 1 A and 2 B qualifying times.
Zimbabwe Aquatic Union president (Zau) president Mary Kloppers said Lee is the country’s next big thing as far as swimming is concerned.
“Robyn is a humble young lady who takes great pride in representing her country of birth at an international level,” Kloppers said.
“Zimbabwe Swimming is very sure that this is only the start of a huge swimming career for this hardworking and dedicated swimmer.”