28 named in Team Zim for bodybuilding fest

Midlands Correspondent
THE National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness (NFZBBF) handed invitations to 28 athletes that will take part in the inaugural Arnold Classic Africa to be held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, in May.

The handover ceremony was held at a top Harare restaurant amid pomp and fanfare on Saturday.

Among the 28 bodybuilders and fitness athletes in Team Zimbabwe are reigning Mr Zimbabwe Champion Chienderamwano, veteran Gweru-based hulk Isaac “Sugar” Chimuchenga and Tarirai Chirume.

Reigning Sportsperson of the Year Helen Costa Sinclair, reigning Ms Zimbabwe Regina Jonga as well as Sally Lapage are also part of the travelling contingent for the bodybuilding jamboree.

The event is an offshoot of the annual Arnold Sports Festival held in the United States and is named after legendary professional bodybuilder and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Principal director in the Ministry of Sport and Recreation Benson Dube stood in for Minister Makhosini Hlongwane as guest of honour and urged the team not to participate in their individual capacities, but as representatives of Zimbabwe.

“I know bodybuilding is an individual sport and when you’re doing your workouts you want to keep your secrets, but for the Arnold Classic, national pride is at stake and I want to encourage you to work as a team to make the country proud,” said Dube.

He said the government was committed to uplifting bodybuilding and fitness in the country.

NFZBBF acting president Godfrey Nyoni promised the athletes total support, saying he was confident that some of them would earn the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) professional cards.

Athletes that make it at the Arnold Classic will graduate from the amateur ranks and earn professional cards (pro card) to participate in the professional league (pro league).

From the pro league, bodybuilders can qualify for the Olympia, which is the most prestigious bodybuilding and fitness competition in the world.

The Arnold Classic Africa will be the fifth-leg of the competition and joins other classics that are held in Europe, the United States, Brazil and Australia.

The classic will have many sports codes, including power-lifting, strongman, volleyball and karate, among others, and is set to attract over 10,000 athletes.

 

Team Zimbabwe

Senior men bodybuilding

1. Garikayi Mujuru

2. Lovemore Munyamana

3. Tawanda Choga

4. Isaac Chimuchenga

5. Blessing Samaringa

6. Edison Marondera

7. Blessing Nyapimbi

8. Ndumiso Dhlodhlo

9. Vincent Kandiyero

10. Matthew Humphreys

11. Champion Chienderamwano

12. Tarirai Chirume

13. Brighton Mazikana

Women’s Physique

1. Regina Jonga

Women Body Fitness

1.Meghan Shadwell

2. Barbara Jambga

3. Hellen Costa Sinclair

4. Precious Mujuru

Women Bikini Fitness

1. Sally Lapage

2. Lowise Patricia Lawson

Model search

1. Demmi Michaela

2. Dianne Millennium

3. Ramona Fransch

Men’s Physique

1. Simbarashe Godwin Mhaka

2. Josh Rowe

3. Crofton Murombo

Junior men bodybuilding

1. Michael Shonhiwa

2. Ray Mtandiri