The Sunday Mail
Queit Shangai
AS promised last week, in the run-up to this year’s National Championships, we are going to shed some light on some of the winners of this competition, both past and present.
What sets champions apart is not only their ability to win, but also their ability to pick themselves up whenever they stumble.
The mark of a true champion is his or her ability to take defeat or failure on the chin. It is their ability to do what is required to ensure success.
This is undoubtedly what has led greats like Innocent Choga, Givemore Marume, Chenai Mambwere, Tarirai Chirume, Paul Goredema, Ndumiso Dlodlo, Precious Mujuru, Michelle Fortman and Edvaldo de Mateus to become legends of the sport.
The history of the sport is full of bodybuilders who put excellent work ethics, ate right but never won the competition.
Unfortunately, the failure ate at them every time. Most disappeared from the scene, never to be seen again.
But Dlodlo is one of the most respected champions in the history of Zimbabwean bodybuilding, and one of the few who embodies the mark of true championship.
After losing three times and playing second fiddle to Champion Chienderamwano — between 2013 and 2015 and to Paul Goredema in 2016 — it seemed like the ‘Big Dog’ would never get his time in the sun.
He seemed destined to become one of those fabled “men who deserved to win the Nationals”. However in 2017, Dlodlo’s time came as he put up one of the most impressive showings to date.
Since Mambwere in 2007, Dlodlo became the first bodybuilder from middleweight to win the national senior men bodybuilding overall title.
“I think Ndumiso is not getting as much attention as one is supposed to get as a national champion”, said analyst Lazarus Chatukuta.
“He is no doubt one of the most balanced athletes and deserves a lot more credit than he gets, whether he is a national champion or not. His physique is what most bodybuilders should aspire to have,” he said.
What sets Dlodlo apart is his never-ending search for the perfect physique.
International superstars Dorian Yates and Shawn Ray chased the perfect physique right up to retirement.
That die-hard spirit of trying to better himself has endeared him to his legion of fans and fellow fitness freaks.
As reigning champion after winning the title again in 2018, Dlodlo is one of the favourites going into this year’s edition.
A decision will be made on September 28th on whether he wins or not.
Until we meet again next week, stay safe.
