Chronicle Editor
Takudzwa Chitsiga
SEASONED bodybuilder Edward “Gearbox” Mutero emerged the biggest winner at the Physical Culture Association (PCA) after he won the senior men bodybuilding up to 90kg category to earn the Pro Card at Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria South Africa at the weekend.
The hulk (right) defeated 14 other top athletes from around the continent that included South African bodybuilders Bulelani Jola and Gregory Hendricks.
Mutero managed to earn the Pro card that will see him compete at the highest level of the sport going forward.
The win saw the South African based Zimbabwean hulk not only earning the Pro Card but also walking away with R20 000 prize money.
A winner of the Harare Classic, Mutero could not hide his joy of finally earning the most sought after Pro card as he hopes to break and perform at more elite competitions in the world.
“I’m so happy to have finally won a Pro card. I have been participating in several tournaments in my career in the hope of winning and now I have finally won the top prize that any bodybuilder would dream of in his or her career.
“I do believe that this is the beginning of greater things to come in my bodybuilding career and I want to work extra hard as I target to use the card and compete in more professional and challenging competitions in the world.
“I worked hard for this and even reached a point where I wanted to hang my boots but winning the pro card refuelled my desire to continue with the sport and right now my focus is to break on an international competition,” said Mutero.
He also hinted on the prospects of not competing in local tournaments that includes not defending his Harare Classic title and the upcoming Mr Ironman Championship.
“One of my dreams was to locally win Mr Ironman Zimbabwe and hang my trunks but now that God has given me a Pro Card, maybe it’s a sign of saying this is not the time to hang my trunks.
” I do love the sport and I want to see the sport grow in my country. So as I turn professional I would want to also help the sport especially the upcoming athletes by sponsoring some shows. Not because I have but for the love and desire to see the sport growing.
“But it is also with a heavy heart that due to work reasons, I won’t be able to compete in the Mr Ironman and Zim Nationals this year.
“It’s painful but I have to give my work attention as well and I’m also very doubtful that I will be able to defend my Harare Classic title.”
Mutero has now joined the elite bodybuilders class of the likes of Regina Jonga, Simbarashe Mhaka, Precious Mujuru and Paul Goredema who are the local Hulks with Pro cards.
Online Reporter