The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi —
NEWLY-crowned Mr Novice, Liberty Mudengezi, wants to step on stage with the big boys now.
“The next target is Ironman and Mr Zimbabwe of course,” said the 28-year-old Gweru Polytechnic student. It’s amazing what winning can do to one’s confidence.
Before winning last weekend’s competition at Pro Fitness Gym in Harare, Mudengezi didn’t believe that bodybuilding was his thing. He only entered the competition after being “begged” to do so by family and friends. Mudengezi lacked confidence and it showed when he took to the stage for first pose.
“You are not fully showing leg muscle, be confident, contestant number one. What are you scared of?” shouted one fan from the auditorium after noticing that although balanced Mudengezi lacked stage presence. “It was a whole new experience,” conceded the 2017 Mr Novice. This was my first time to compete and when I got into the dressing and saw the other athletes seemingly looking bigger and more confident that I was my heart sank.
“Doubts crept into my mind and some fans saw it. However, in the end I decided to give it my best and I am happy that my best proved to be the best on the day of the competition.”
When he returned to training at Mass and Fitness Gym in Gweru last week Mudengezi got a hero’s welcome but he knows the hard work begins now. “To tell you the truth I wasn’t prepared enough for Mr Novice because I only started preparing last month when my friends urged me to take part in this competition. My upper body was okay and I had to concentrate on my lower body. “However, this win has given me confidence and I am working hard to ensure that I continue improving, I am motivated to do well,” said Mudengezi who was motivated into pumping weights by his brother. “My brother was a bodybuilder but he never competed . . . he had a backyard gym He inspired me. . . I wanted to be big as well. But the only problem was that he used to fight people in bars, as for me I am cool guy,” added the 2017 Mr Novice.
The desire to get bigger means Mudengezi has to eat more: “I eat a lot especially eggs, beans. I eat everything that makes my body grow…I also take supplements.”
