adminAugustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
TARIRAYI Chirume, the last man to win the Mr Zimbabwe bodybuilding contest before it went off the radar in 2008, is taking a cautious line as he aims for another shot at the title at the Harare International School tomorrow.
Chirume, who pumps iron at Pro-Fitness Gym, lifted the title when he beat Isaac Chimuchenga and Chenai Mabwere at the Harare International Conference Centre.
Gweru-based Chimuchenga had won from the lightweight division while Mabwere was the middleweight champion at the contest where seasoned athletes like Zumiler Eusen-Maman and Givemore Marume were part of the field.
With the National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness reviving the premier event, Chirume has thrown his name into the hat once again. “It has been a long time since I won the crown, some four or five years. A lot of things have happened along the way and many people have come on board. So it’s going to difficult because some new guys have come along,” said Chirume.
During the time the Mr Zimbabwe competition was off the radar, hulks like Victor Hungwe, Eddie Marondera, Simbarashe Fero, Walter Karimanzira and Vincent Kandiyero have come to prominence.
“I am ready for the challenge. I can say this time I am a real heavyweight because I am coming at over 100kgs while the last time I was at only 90kgs.
“This means I have gained more in size,” said Chirume.
Chirume also came second in the Mr Pro-Fitness and was third in the All-Africa Olympia last year.
Quiet Shangai, who does statistics at local bodybuilding events, said it was good for the NFZBBFF to revive the premier events like the Mr Zimbabwe but said it must reward its winners well to keep motivating athletes like Chirume. “It’s good that the competition has been revived. The Mr Zimbabwe should be the premier contest and even in South Africa, Zambia or Botswana, they have national competitions,” said Shangai.
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