malvernmugadzikwa
Deputy Sports Editor
THE fate of the Ironman Festival is up in the air, with early indications that the annual bodybuilding event is likely be held sometime during the final quarter of the year.
National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness (NFZBF) secretary-general Quiet Shangai did not explain reasons for the delay of the tournament, which has already been postponed twice.
“The unfortunate thing with the Ironman event was that it clashed with an important continental event — the Arnold Classic Africa,” said Shangai.
“We had planned to have the Ironman Festival in May as usual and turn it into an international event.
“The goal was to invite and attract as many regional and continental champions as possible and turn the event into a ‘Night of Champions’, per se.
“However, due to the Arnolds being held during the same month — a few days apart, to be exact — it became difficult for any of the bodybuilders to commit or attend.”
The NFZBF then decided to switch the event to August 19, after which it was discovered it would be on the eve of the country’s harmonised elections, slated for August 23.
The good news, however, is that the local bodybuilding community will not be starved of action, as three high-profile events are on the cards in the next few months.
The Marume Classic is pencilled in for September 30 in Harare.
It will be followed by the Harare Classic on October 21 and the Zimbabwe Nationals on November 25 — all in Harare.
NFZBF technical director Givemore Marume, who will have a hand in preparing all the three events, said it is always exciting to prepare for a show.
“Given that the Harare Classic is a provincial show, there is a committee that is spearheading the preparations and I have been told that the groundwork has been laid,” he said.
“A venue for the show has already been secured, and the banners and materials required are all in place.
“The nationals, while slated for November, I can safely say that it is more or less the same, as most of the basics are already in place, and we are already in talks with our main sponsors to try and cover some of the costs we will face . . .”
He also promised a “a bigger and better” Marume Classic.
“This is our second edition after the pandemic and everything has moved a gear up . . .
“The athletes are in better condition; there is excitement all around and all our stakeholders are keen for this edition,” he said.
Both the Marume Classic and the Zimbabwe Nationals have introduced new categories, with the former adding a novice segment, while the latter will have 12 categories, which include the senior men (85kg and over); senior men bodybuilding (under 85kg); senior (up to and including 75kg); men’s physique Open; men’s fitness Open; women wellness; women bikini fitness; women fit — model; wheelchair men bodybuilding; junior men bodybuilding; novice men bodybuilding (exhibition); and novice men’s physique (exhibition).
The changes see the senior men’s category divided into three segments, while the NFZBF has added two novice categories.
Online Reporter