malvernmugadzikwa
Tinashe Kusema
THERE is a decent chance that Paul Bako will go down in history as one of the greatest or, at the very least, unique Zimbabwean bodybuilders of all time.
At the age of 32, Bako already has a trophy-laden cabinet which comprises of 16 medals — eight gold, three silver and five bronze.
The gold medals include wins at the Zim Nationals, Harare and Manicaland Classics and three straight Marume Classic wins, while he got a silver at the much-touted Arnold Classic.
It is at the Marume Classic where Bako seems to have gained some traction, as the former Kutama Boys High student has been crowned champion in the men’s fitness category for the last three years, including the latest edition held a fortnight ago.
The significance of his latest win has not been lost on the fitness enthusiast.
“I was quite excited when my name was called out and I was announced the winner,” said Bako on his Marume Classic win.
“It is always a good feeling to know that the work that you will have put is being recognised, but on a deeper level, it was just another day in the office. For the past three years, I have won this competition. However, this particular Marume Classic, I did not feel very challenged as the competition was not as steep as previous editions and, like I said, this was my third straight win.”
Regional competition the Harare Classic, slated for October 26 in Harare is next.
While winning will list him among the greats of the sport, it is his origin story and influences that are sure to be what distinguishes him from his peers. After all, anime and Goku, of all things, is what led a young Bako to take up bodybuilding.
Anime is defined as a style of Japanese film and television animation, typically aimed at adults as well as children. Goku, better known as Son Goku, is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the Dragon Ball manga series created by Akira Toriyama.
“Well, my mother tells me that when I was born, a nurse prophesied that I was going to be a sportsperson, specifically a soccer player, but I never really took a liking to it,” said Bako.
“Moving my body and being active is something I have always been into, and I even tried out sports like cricket, hockey, basketball and was even a very good swimmer.”
Bako said the bodybuilding and fitness bug did not hit until he started secondary school.
“And there, my influences did not come from the sport itself, but rather I drew my inspiration from anime characters, with Goku from Dragon Ball topping the list,” he said.
“In those films, you always see the main characters are usually very strong and well chiselled. These are the kind of body types I wanted to develop.”
While anime is what brought him to the party, yoga and martial arts made him stay, as Bako admired the chiselled body frame and work ethic of people like Bruce Lee and Michael Jai White. He then began his bodybuilding journey in 2015, and it was only in 2019 when his career picked up.
His secret? Well, Bako describes himself as indomitable and the fact that he is kind of a self-confessed nerd. He has managed to work these attributes into his bodybuilding mission.
“Away from the mat or stage, I am quite an adventurous guy and a nerd,” he said. “I love to travel, but mostly have my nose in a book, reading anything and everything from autobiographies to books on philosophy and religion.
“I like to train, it is more than a hobby to me, and usually I spend most of my time in the gym trying out new things.”
For the Harare Classic and next month’s Zimbabwe Nationals, Bako said:
“I have not changed my training regime since the Marume Classic win, as I spent roughly six days in the gym. The main reason is that the Harare Classic is just around the corner and I will be competing again. There is also next month’s nationals, another key event I intend to compete and win.”
Online Reporter