The Sunday Mail
NEWLY crowned Sportspersons of the Year, Helen Sinclair Costa and Tanyaradzwa Muzinda, will have a hectic festive season during which the two look set to launch their bids to turn professional.
Muzinda, the Junior Sportswoman and Sportsperson of the Year, will spend this Christmas, firstly, fulfilling her ambassadorial duties with a visit to Harare Children’s Hospital.
Helen Sinclair Costa Picture by Kudakwashe Hunda
The 10-year-old is the European Union Ambassador for Food Security in Rural Areas in Zimbabwe.
The New Year will see Muzinda take her first steps to turning professional as she has roughly 14 international races lined up already.
Muzinda will also be expected to fulfil her local obligations and that will include an additional 20 races.
“There is no rest for the weary,” said her father Tawanda Muzinda.
“We have hardly had time to rest and enjoy her awards from last week.
“At the moment we are busy putting the final touches on her Christmas plans. She will spend the day at the Harare Children’s Hospital.
“We have also hired a new technical manager, John Tube, who arrived in the country, from his base in Zambia a few days ago. He will be responsible for organising and sorting out her races, which we hope will give her the necessary exposure and experience she needs to mount a challenge on the professional circuit.
“At the moment, he (Tube) has put her on the cards for 14 races in Europe and Africa during the 2016 calendar year.
“This is the first step to pro, where we want to help her acclimatise and experience the competition that exists at the highest level.
Tanyaradzwa Muzinda Picture by Kudakwashe Hunda
“We are leaving no stone unturned in our attempts to support her talent and dreams. We have moved her to an international school — one that has a calendar that suits her racing schedule — and arranged a private tutor for her,” he said.
In 2016, Muzinda is expected to race in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium and Spain.
In Africa, she has a few races in Kenya, Botswana, Zambia, Uganda and about 20 more locally.
Her counterpart, Helen Costa, has set her sights on competing at next year’s Arnold Classic.
Named after arguably one of the greatest bodybuilding champion of all time Arnold Schwarzenegger, the event is an International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness-recognised competition and will be held for the first time in Africa mid-next year.
South Africa has been appointed as hosts of this historic event, which has been slated for May 27-29.
“The Arnold Classic is like the holy grail of the sport, and will attract some of the biggest names from around the globe.
“Growing up, I wouldn’t say I was a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger, although I knew him from the movies.
“It was only after I took up the sport in 2002 that I began to have an appreciation for his work ethic and aura.
“I am looking forward to getting the opportunity to meet him and a few other bodybuilders who I have grown to idolise.
“Among them are the likes of Dana Lee Bayley and Nicole Wilkins, both of whom are former champions and multiple winners of the competition,” she said.
Costa’s training has already begun and will most likely last six months, which feeds right into the games.
“Training for competitions lasts for anything from four-six month. This largely due to the fact that there is a whole lot of physiology that goes into.
“There are dietary needs that must be met, for instance I will be eating anything from four to six meals a day.
“The meals will have to be light and strictly nutritional, ranging from cereals in the morning and fruits and egg whites.
“There is a provision for one solid meal, usually in the evening. The next step will be to work on my cardio, which is basically strengthening drills and exercises,” she said.
“During all this, I will have to spend most of my time in the gym and work my body into shape.
“This may see me spend anything from six to 12 hours in the gym daily.”
