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Some people are now travelling on wheels courtesy of bodybuilding.
Last year, the winner of the Mr Iron Man competition, Vincent Kandiero, went away driving a Toyota Funcargo while in the women’s section, Christine Matange, walked away with medium-density stand in Harare.
Saturday Lifestyle caught up with Tofara Moyo. a former rugby player who now runs Scorpion Gym in Queensdale.
Born 33 years ago, Moyo had no plans of one day becoming a fitness trainer.
“While I was growing up, I did not have any idea of bodybuilding but this only came after I got involved in rugby when I was playing for Midlands Province from 1994 to 1996,” said Moyo.
Moyo come to own the gym after being told by a friend about the developments.
“My friend Nicolas is the one who told me that a certain guy was selling a gym in Queensdale and that is when I approached Mr Muchena, the owner. I bought the gym in 2008. It was just a basic gym and I had to refurbish it to be a modern one it is today,” said Moyo.
Working as a bodybuilding trainer can be immensely interesting, as it is frustrating.
“As a trainer you have to deal with different people from different backgrounds which requires both the confidence to teach and guide strong personalities and the empathy to deal with clients that are hurting and in need of help,” he said.
The Zvishavane-born fitness enthusiast said his gym is the only one in the capital that offers training to people living with disabilities.
“After realising that people living with disabilities were being neglected when it comes to bodybuilding, I decided to offer them free training and created a category for them to contest,” said Moyo.
“After acquiring the gym, I felt there was need to promote bodybuilding to higher standards and I introduced an in-house competition called Mr Scorpion. Two years later I developed the idea to hold national competitions starting with Mr Novice Zimbabwe that was held at Ochi City,” said Moyo.
Moyo is a multi-talented man who is a holder of Class 1 Diesel Plant Fitter. He worked for Shabanie Mine for three years (1997-1999) before transferring to Zemco in Msasa in 2000.
Moyo went to Baring Primary School in Mutare before enrolling at St Faith’s Mission in Rusape in 1989-1992.
Moyo is married to Emilia Nhovo and the couple have beene blessed with three boys — Llyod (11), Tofara Jnr (8) and Tanyaradzwa (4). They live in Msasa Park.
Online Reporter