adminRaymond Jaravaza, Sports Correspondent
THREE Bulawayo bodybuilders are hard at training ahead of the Mr Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) competition to be held at a city nightclub on April 30.
Mr ZITF, which has not been held for the past three years due to lack of sponsorship, is an open bodybuilding competition that attracts contestants from across the country and Zimbabwean bodybuilders based in South Africa and Botswana.
This year’s edition is being sponsored by Clarion Insurance.
Reigning Mr Bulawayo Lovemore Munyamana and first runner-up Givemore Marufu, who is also the reigning Mr Zimbabwe Republic Police national champion, have made it their mission to keep the ZITF title in Bulawayo.
Joining the duo is Lazarus Shereni, who is taking part for the first time.
The trio meets daily at Body Works Gym at the Parkade Centre under the tutelage of trainer Simon Gamha for an assortment of training regimes in preparation for Mr ZITF.
Marufu said their focus is on maintaining muscle tone.
“It’s less than three weeks before Mr ZITF so our focus is on eliminating fat and water in our bodies and at the same time maintaining muscle. Dieting and watching what we eat also plays a huge part in our training programme. It’s important to monitor our salt and sugar intake and to avoid fatty foods,” said Marufu.
Shereni said although he will be taking part in Mr ZITF for the first time, he was well equipped to take on other seasoned campaigners.
The bodybuilders spoke strongly against the use of supplements, which are normally sold on the black market.
“One cannot be a championship winning bodybuilder overnight. It takes hard work, discipline and eating healthy. People that use supplements are lazy bodybuilders,” said Marufu.
Online Reporter