Cheetahs’ player eyes Olympics
SPEED MERCHANT Shingirayi Hlanguyo, who was part of the Cheetahs squad that was crowned the 2018 African champions at the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup in Tunisia last Sunday, says he is now targeting an appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.
Hlanguyo, who was born and raised at Everyone Farm in Nyazura, has earned the nickname Swiss Knife because of his versatility on the field. The multi talented athlete has represented the country at age group level in basketball, rugby and athletics. Last Sunday, the 20-year old joined a select group of Zimbabwean rugby players who have won a continental title as the Cheetahs upset favourites Kenya 17-5 in the final to be crowned African champions. This is the third time that Zimbabwe have won the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup having previously won the title in 2000 and 2012.
Speaking to Post Sport on Tuesday, Hlanguyo who was in transit at Frankfurt international airport in Germany on his way back to his base in California, said he is geared up for Tokyo Olympics. “After taking part in the World Cup in San Francisco and winning the Africa Cup in Tunisia, my focus is now on making it to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. It’s a journey and a process but playing in all these tournaments will help us get there I am delighted to win my first international title with the team and it was only my second appearance at the Africa Cup.
“A win like means the Cheetahs will play in the Dubai 7s, Cape Town 7s and Hong Kong 7s. These tournaments will give us the necessary experience to fight for core status on the World Rugby Sevens Series circuit,” he said.
Hlanguyo, who only made his debut at the Lusaka Sevens in Zambia last year, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the Cheetahs squad.
He is currently studying his first year of a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree at California State University after earning a track and field scholarship.
Hlanguyo says his plan is to continue juggling his rugby and athletics careers drawing inspiration from Jamaican sprinter Warren Wier.