Sean Gunn
Sean Gunn | |
---|---|
Sean Gunn | |
Born | Sean Gunn |
Residence | U.S.A |
Nationality | Zimbabwe |
Alma mater | Kentucky University, Kentucky, US. |
Occupation |
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Home town | Harare, Zimbabwe |
Sean Gunn is a Zimbabwean swimmer who is currently residing in America. He is currently studying at the University of Kentucky. The young has already started breaking records with two national records in the 100m and 200m freestyle races at the Arena Pro Swim Series Mesa which took place in Arizona in 2015.[1]
Background
Gunn is a 21-year-old swimmer who was born in Harare. After having completed part of his studies in Zimbabwe, Gunn got a full scholarship to further his education at the University of Kentucky where he is currently studying.[2]
Gunn's National record
Gunn, who is on a swimming scholarship at the University of Kentucky, first set a new national record in the men’s 200m freestyle after touching the wall in 1:51:53 seconds. The previous record of 1:54:70 seconds was set by former Zimbabwe Olympic swimmer Glen Walshaw at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. The 21-year-old swimmer, who has of qualified for Rio 2016 Olympics, was not done as he recorded yet another milestone in the 100m freestyle with a time of 51:18 seconds.
Gunn responded to his achievement saying
“I was really happy with my performances in Arizona,”
“I’ve worked really hard this season with my new coach Chip Kline and I’m glad that things came together. I was happy, especially with my 100m and 200m freestyle.
“It feels great to have broken two national records. It has motivated me to train harder and swim faster. I think it would be really cool to set the records so they stand for a long time in the future.”
He added: “Hopefully I will be representing Zimbabwe at the World Championships and at the All-Africa Games.”
Summoning to 2016 Rio Olympics
Gunn noticed that he had 16 missed calls and feared that he had an error on one of the many forms he had to fill out to be considered for the Zimbabwe Olympic Team. The call was to confirm his selection to perform at the olympics. Gunn explained that he was being inundated with calls for a much better reason, saying, “then they called me and they were like, ‘better pack your swimsuit because you’re going to Rio.”
- The selection process for Zimbabwe is different than the United States, which appoints Olympic Team members out of the Olympic Trials. Coventry automatically qualified in August 2015 with a swim in the 100m back, leaving any remaining spots left to the discretion of the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA, International Swimming Federation). Gunn was selected out of a number of other competitors who specialized in a variety of strokes based on a higher number of FINA points, which he accrued by swimming in various international competitions such as the World Championships, All-Africa Games, and Zimbabwe Nationals. At the national championships this summer, Gunn was the national champion in all his events, further helping his chances at being selected.[3]
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Accolades
- Gunn earned All-America honours in both the 50 and 100 freestyle at the Division II Men’s NCAA Championships while at Limestone College.
- He was one of the four local swimmers who took part in the high-profile meet together with seven-time Olympic medalist Kirsty Coventry, Chad Idensohn and Tim Ferris.
- 100-meter freestyle national record
Video Gallery