Tendai Chara-Zimpapers Sports Hub
REIGNING Alex Classics bodybuilding champion Mark “Big Mark” Vassilatos will miss this year’s Harare Classic as he takes a break from competition to prepare for the Mr Zimbabwe contest.
The Harare Classic will be held at 7 Arts Theatre in Harare on Saturday, with athletes expected to compete in categories including junior men’s fitness, bikini, men’s physique, wellness and senior men’s bodybuilding.
Vassilatos impressed the judges with his muscle definition at the Alex Classics but has opted to rest rather than compete this weekend.
“I am currently resting and will resume training for Mr Zimbabwe,” he said.
With US$5 000 in prize money on offer for the senior men’s bodybuilding champion, the competition is expected to attract some of the country’s leading bodybuilders, including Gideon Teguru and Noah Dzvokora. One of the organisers, Tarisai Chirume, said preparations for the event were at an advanced stage, with sponsors maintaining their support for the competition.
“The preparations are going on well. The most positive thing is that we have managed to retain our big sponsors… ,” Chirume said.
Chirume said the tournament continued to grow, with this year’s edition expected to attract an increased number of athletes from across the region.
“We are looking forward to a great tournament, with an increased number of athletes, especially from Zambia and Botswana.
“We are also expecting competitors from Malawi and Mozambique, among other Southern African countries,” he said.
