The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
Deputy Sports Editor
AFTER two years of little to no action, largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the year 2022 has seen some degree of normalcy start to creep into the world of bodybuilding.
It all began with the staging of the rebranded Ironman Festival, after which came a largely successful campaign at the Arnold Classic that was capped off by Precious Mujuru earning a pro card. This was followed by the Novice Competition, which exceeded expectations. It is against this background that National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness secretary-general Quiet Shangai is walking around with a spring in his step.
“There is a degree of normalcy back in the sport. I say so because the most important aspect in our sport, which is the gym, is now open and fully functional.
“Athletes can now go to the gyms and train.
“This wasn’t the case the last two years due to the pandemic, and this seriously affected our operations.
“We tried to hold a couple of events in Mutare and Harare last year, but that wasn’t enough,” Shangai said.
This year has, however, proved to be a totally different story as Shangai chronicled some of the successes that include the return of the Ironman competition (now a festival), a good run at the Arnold Classic and the recent Novice Competition, which had a huge attendance.
There was also a little light shining on the high-density suburb of Mufakose that staged the Mr and Ms Mufakose, which Shangai noted has a special place in the history of bodybuilding, given some of the names that hail from the area. They include former national champions Innocent Choga, Garikai Mwale, George Takundwa and Clyde Mutero. But, as 2022 canters towards its end, all the attention turns to the national competition.
The Mr and Ms Zimbabwe Bodybuilding National Competition is set for Harare at the 7 Arts Theatre on November 26, with the contest expected to attract some of the country’s top athletes.
Among them are Edward “Gearbox” Mutero, who is the reigning light heavyweight champion, two-time national champion Dumiso Dlodlo, the current Marume and Bulawayo champion Noah Dzvokora, Mark Anthony Valisatos, big hitters in the Women’s Bikini Fitness category Nomathamsanga Phiri and Lynette Tom, and the usual suspects CC Banks, Gideon Teguru and Ryan Gumbo.
“Before we delve into the preparations for the event, I wish to make it public the efforts we are making behind the scenes in order to ensure we put up the best possible shows every time.
“Zambia and Malawi have set the blueprint and we have followed suit. We currently have an exchange programme in which we are partnering with other countries in an effort to improve and grow.
“We recently had a judges training course that was conducted by veteran international judge Ellmari Wroe and we had as many as 18 locals attending. These are some of the steps we are taking to ensure that we learn and grow. As far as the actual preparations of the nationals are concerned, we are working with a budget of about US$12 000 in prize money.
“We are also in talks with prospective sponsors for both the event and numerous categories with the goal of selling both the event and the individual categories,” said Shangai
