Shaun’s a supreme TigerShark

By Jarrod Potter
SHAUN Banzon is no stranger to the top step on the podium, but last month his place at the top of the junior swimming world was confirmed.
Banzon, 12, from Berwick, was named the Victorian Age champion for under-12 boys at the Victorian Age Championships held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre in December.
The young TigerSharks’ representative won four gold medals at the event – the 100m and 200m breaststroke, the 200m individual medley and in the boys 12 and under 200m medley relay with Bill Le Brocq, 12, Matthew Faoro, 11 and Jake Duggan, 11.
Banzon also won silver in the 12 and under 200m freestyle relay and two bronzes in the 100m backstroke and the 100m butterfly.
Having only swum competitively for three years, Banzon has risen to the top of the sport in very quick time.
“I’ve been swimming for around three years,” Banzon said. “I’ve been swimming since I was little so I really enjoyed it and I decided to keep on going.”
“My favourite events are the 100 and 200 metre breaststroke because it’s my main stroke.
“I’m working on my IM now, so when I’m older I can decide where I want to go so for now I’m just working on all my strokes.”
When he found out he was named age champion, Banzon was surprised to have won.
“It felt really good,” Banzon said. “I didn’t expect it.”
Ben Hiddlestone and Julie-Anne Roberts, Banzon’s coaches at the Casey TigerSharks were impressed with Banzon’s medal haul at the championships.
“He really surprised me,” Roberts said. “He is a hard worker and is really good over all four strokes.
“Didn’t expect medals in the 200 backstroke and 100, but he came up with the goods.”
Hiddlestone said Banzon’s achievements are even more spectacular because he still has a lot of body development left to undertake.
“He’s the absolute best in Victoria for his age in all the strokes,” Hiddlestone said. “He’s not a big guy either – normally at that age, kids are usually winning just because they are big and have developed early.
“Shaun is by no means a big guy and he hasn’t developed yet, so he’s winning with good skill, good hard training and intelligent training and getting the results, so it bodes well for his future.”