Zinadeen Scheepers (14) from Eldorado Park swims for Superfins Swimming Club in Coronationville and has recently represented South Africa in Tanzania.
The young swimmer has been swimming since he was 10 years old. According to Scheepers, swimming has taught him that you could become anything if you just work hard.
In the future, he would like to become a professional swimmer. When interviewed before he left for Tanzania, the young swimmer said that he was most excited about the experience that he would gain from competing so far away from home.
“This is my first time going out of the country to represent South Africa,” said Scheepers. He has applied for the Italy Games which is coming up in two weeks’ time.
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“Other successful championships which he entered were the CJ level 3 Gala and CJ Open Champs.
“He achieved second place for 400 free, third place for 200 free, third place for 50 breast, and then at regionals level 3 this year he partook in 10 events which he made it to the finals in 9 of them, I think he’s best finishing was the 400 free where he came fourth.
“I call him ‘The Machine’ because of how he trains,” said coach Ramon Coutriers who has been working with Scheepers to become a distance swimmer.
The 14-year-old trains every day with some land training as well on weekends.
Nathan Scheepers, Superfins chairperson and father of the swimming prodigy said, “Them swimming means a lot to us, it has brought a lot of positive things. It brings us closer as a family.
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“The boys are fit and they are disciplined. One thing about swimming is that it helps them with time management. There are many social ills and swimming is a way out.
“I don’t think that I would have ever been able to send him to Tanzania and here he has many similar opportunities. We would like the community to support and bring their children for swimming.”
Scheepers returned home from Tanzania on October 22 with 8 medals. Six of those were gold, one silver and one bronze. The teen also received an award for overall achiever in his age group.
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