adminMakomborero Mutimukulu
VEKTAR HUNGWE has never been in better shape. The bodybuilder recently placed in the top five when he made his pro debut in Slovenia. He is poised for greater things. But the man nicknamed The Beast reckons he is 10kg off the mark. Hungwe weighed 92 kilos and looked chiseled as he made his pro debut, but feels he could have fared much, much better with a bit more “solid mass”.
“You don’t know what it means to be a professional bodybuilder until you get on stage with these guys. The show in Slovenia was an opener; the league I am in now is for the big boys . . . yes, I am big, but not yet big enough,” says Hungwe.
“I looked great, even the crowd appreciated it and many felt I should have placed second or third but overal it was an impressive line-up of 23 athletes and being able to place top five was an encouraging start.
Next year I will definitely be aiming for the title, I know my rivals now and what needs to be done.”
It’s no mean feat adding 10kg of muscle but the multi-award winning athlete has a work ethic that makes it inadvisable to bet against The Beast.
“Focus now shifts to an invitational open classic show in Chicago in December hosted by IFBB pro bodybuilder Branch Warren.
“I need to put on a good 10kg hard mass for the show so will see if I am ready by then.
However, adding some mass is something I have to do and work has already started, the Beast Mode has been activated,” he says. As Hungwe bench presses and squats more, he is also working on putting together the second edition of the IBFF Zimbabwe Classic.
“The show is on August 6 in Harare and at this competition we are going to choose a team to represent Zimbabwe in Italy at Mr & Ms Universe,” he reveals. “Our record speaks for itself.
As you know IBFF Zimbabwe produced female athlete in Helen Costa, who won two titles last year in Italy and is reigning sportsperson of the year.
“Preparations for the show are underway even though we have faced serious challenges as a result of the economic hardships but personally it’s my mandate to make sure that the show goes on . . . I owe it to athletes who are seeking international exposure.”
Hungwe has had a topsy-turvy relationship with the National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness but there are signs that some building of bridges is going on behind the scenes.
“Now I can say our relationship is cordial,” he says.
“I’m a servant of the fitness industry and will continue to pursue that on and off the stage and would welcome support from the federation without strings attached.”
2016 IBFF World Championship – Middleweight Top Five
1 – IGOR ILLES (Slovakia)
2 – PIOGGIA DAVIDE (Italy)
3 – KUMAR PRADEEP (India)
4 – VEKTAR HUNGWE (Zimbabwe)
5 – NARENDER KUMAR (India)
Online Reporter