tawandamusarurwa
Deputy Sports Editor
THE National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness (NFZBF) has set its sights on going the extra mile to educate newcomers to the sport at this year’s Trysupp Novice Zimbabwe competition, which will be held in the capital on April 1.
The federation hopes to make it a more interactive contest.
“While we have always tried to help and advise some of these budding athletes, we have decided to go a step further and make this competition more interactive,” said NFZBF secretary-general Quiet Shangai.
“What this means is that there will be more dialogue between the judges and the athletes, offering them tips and advice on how they can improve and identifying where they might be either going wrong or need help.
“We have seen that the ratio of people who compete at the Novice competition, which is mainly for beginners, and those who go on and compete at other shows is very low.
“We want to increase the numbers, and one of the ways is to converse with them during and after the show and help them out.”
Shangai was one of the dignitaries present at yesterday’s launch of the competition, which also saw Trysupp Zimbabwe pledge their continued support.
The company’s chief executive officer, Tinotenda Gumbo, is still active in the sport and competed in the 2016 edition of the competition, where he finished second.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch, Gumbo expressed satisfaction with the turnout of bodybuilding enthusiasts, which he believes is a clear sign of bigger things to come.
“It is so exciting when you see a big turnout at a simple launch, and, for me, it shows that bodybuilding is growing in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“I get excited when I see these young and aspiring bodybuilders coming through in their numbers to events like this, and, hopefully, that will translate into bigger turnouts at the actual event itself.
“This competition is the entry level of the sport, and this is where I began my bodybuilding career back in 2016.
“It holds a special place in my heart and it is my way of ploughing back into the sport that has given so much.
“The goal is to help some of these budding bodybuilders and share some of the knowledge I have managed to attain over the years.”
Over 50 athletes competing in five categories are expected to take part in the event.
These include the senior men’s bodybuilding, junior men’s bodybuilding (strictly 21-year-olds and under), men’s physique, men’s fitness and the women’s wellness development category.
“Preparations are well on course . . .
“The onus is now on us as the board to select the judges.
“We have a large pool of judges after a successful training course last year, and it is now just a case of our technical team sitting down and selecting the judges for the competition,” Shangai said.
Registration will be held on the day of the competition.
An athletes’ seminar to apprise them on rules and regulations will take place soon after.
Online Reporter