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Augustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
TWO of the front runners for the Mr Zimbabwe bodybuilding competition, Vincent Kandiyero and Victor Hungwe, have pulled out of the contest set for the Harare International School this evening.
Kandiyero, who is the reigning Mr Iron Man, said he was taking a break for now while Hungwe, who came second in the Muscle Mania Africa at Ochi City in August, is preparing for the world championships in Italy next month. Otis Goredema, the National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness, said the absence of the two hulks will not take the gloss off the event that is returning to the radar after a five-year absence.
Pre-judging for the event will be held this morning at Harare International School although a lot of bodybuilders were being secretive on the eve of the show.
“Some bodybuilders want to surprise their rivals and are not keen to make their entries known. But I can confirm that Victor Hungwe and Vincent Kandiyero are out of this competition.
“Victor is preparing for an event in Italy while I think Vinnie is taking a break.
“But the absence of the two does not take the gloss off the event because we still have Tary Chirume in the race,” said Goredema.
Chirume won the Mr Zimbabwe when the competition was last held in 2008.
Veteran Isaac “Sugar” Chimuchenga is also hoping to land the coveted title while the dark horse is the unheralded Matt Humphries and Walter Karimanzira who looked like a Greek statue at the last competition.
Seasoned campaigner Patson “ Officer” Chatedzuka, who is the current Mr Harare, is also expected to enter while Simba Fero and namesake Simba Dube were also confirmed as candidates last night alongside Eddie Marondera.
Most of the bodybuilders were taking it easy yesterday and decided to stay away from lifting weights in fear of getting out of shape.
As a side show to the Mr Zimbabwe, the organisers will hold a Mr Fitness Physique, where Big Brother housemate Munyaradzi Mandaza could be one of draw cards. Mandaza is a winner of the Mr Novice and could face stiff competition from Anton Milner.
Former Mr Zimbabwe champion, Vaughan Carl, a living legend, has been appointed the chief judge and said he is hoping to be a witness to a great show.
“I have not seen any of the athletes yet but from what I have been told, it looks like we will have some top notch people. “There are over 50 entries,” he said. Carl won the Mr Zimbabwe in 1983 and then reclaimed the title in 1987 and 1988. In 1989, Carl went and competed in South Africa where he was crowned Mr South Africa.
Online Reporter