adminThe event will be staged at the Harare International Conference Centre on November 17 and nearly 50 bodybuilders are expected for the show.
Six of the local athletes who are hoping to compete in this event — Simba Dube, Tarirayi Chirume, Partson Chatedzuka, Vincent Kandiyero, Givemore Marume and Victor Hungwe — have stepped up their preparations at Pro-Fitness Gym.
They were all confident that they will do well when they square off against some of the finest body-builders from Africa in the continental championship.
Shamim Hussein, president of the Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, said they have already received entries from outside Zimbabwe
“Basically we have quite a few people who have confirmed their participation. We have 12 guys who have confirmed from Botswana, a couple from Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia. I am sure it is going to be a huge event and one of its kind that Zimbabwe has ever seen. We have the biggest prize money in Africa, so we have lots of talent on our way here,” said Hussein.
But it’s the local athletes who are putting up a brave face ahead of what could be the biggest body-building show in Zimbabwe. The be-spectacled Dube said he is aware that the competition will be tough against the unknown opponents.
“It’s not going to be an easy ride. I have to fight to get the prize money. The athletes that are here are in good shape and we are just gonna roll and give it our best.
“I certainly look forward to the event and preparations have been great on my part and come November 17, I will be in much greater shape,” said Dube.
Chirume, the last man to win the Mr Zimbabwe contest when it was staged three years ago, is looking forward to his first international competition.
“I don’t have much to say but it’s not going to be easy. This is my first time to compete in an international competition. What I can say is that I am not going to disappoint Zimbabwe and I am going to put in a 100 percent effort,” said Chirume.
For Chatedzuka, the event is coming after he won the Mr Harare championship in August.
“It’s going to be a wonderful event for us but we are winners on our own and I would like to carry the Zimbabwean banner forward,” said Chatedzuka.
Former Mr Zimbabwe and six-time Mr Iron Man, Marume, is certainly one of the household names in local body-building competitions.
“We are all excited about this event and everyday we are training very hard and eating and doing everything possible to make sure that we will be in good shape. Because of the excitement, everyday will be a new adventure.
“Come the day and I think we will all be excited as we aim to represent our country very well,” aid Marume.
Kandiyero called on the people to come and rally behind them while Hungwe said local athletes should “defend their territory”.
“This is not about personal goals but it’s about defending our territory.
“It’s a territorial battle and we are looking hard beyond our borders.
“As Team Zimbabwe, I am really looking forward to spearhead Team Zimbabwe and we are not going to let the nation down.
“We are going to fight hard and we urge all the bodybuilding fans to come and support Team Zimbabwe.
“At the end of the day, Team Zimbabwe will be the last man standing,” said Hungwe.
leeroy