Another gong beckons for muscleman

VETERAN bodybuilder Tinotenda “Ryan” Gumbo will once again have an opportunity to attain his dream of International Federation of Body Building and Fitness (IFBB) pro-card when he contests at an international meet in South Africa next month.

Gumbo, a winner at the Arnold Classic and former Zimbabwe men’s physique champion is set to participate at the Muscle Mulisha GrandPrix Pro Qualifier in Johannesburg on September 16.

His main goal is to get the IFBB pro-card. If he does manage to get the card, he would have become the first Zimbabwean to do so.

For one to get the prestigious IFBB pro-card, a person must train exceptionally hard, compete in various competitions and be ranked high in those competitions.

Once the bodybuilder ranks high in the regional contest weight class, they must then compete in national championships.

“I have high hopes this is the competition that will see me scoop the IFBB pro-card. l will be the first Zimbabwean to get that card. I missed it last year and hopefully, this is my time.

“The pro-card will open a whole lot of channels for me to go and compete in Europe. Everybody’s dream is to compete in countries such as the USA. I’m working hard and leaving no stone unturned in archiving my dreams,” said Gumbo.

Gumbo says he is preparing well for the competition.

“AII is set. I think l have reached the peak of my preparations. I’m about four weeks out for my next competition. It’s the only show l will do this year. I think l have improved in terms of my diet and training.

“Giving many thanks to my sponsors Trysupps Zimbabwe who are helping make sure l’m at the top of my game in terms of conditioning diet and nutrition. I am training well under my coach from Ghana, Romeo Moffat,” said Gumbo.

Gumbo won big in South Africa in 2021 when he took first place in the Men’s Muscular Physique 179cm and also scooped the overall prize in the physique category at the Arnold Classic Competition.

The competition was launched in 2016 as a multi-sport festival that features bodybuilding, strongman, weightlifting and a large fitness expo.

— @innocentskizoe