Gumbo misses out on IFBB pro-card

ZIMBABWEAN bodybuilder Tinotenda “Ryan” Gumbo may have missed out on an opportunity to get the International Federation of Body Building and Fitness (IFBB) pro-card at an international meet in South Africa last Saturday, but his dream still lives on.

Gumbo competed at the Muscle Mulisha GrandPrix Pro Qualifier in Johannesburg at the weekend. He took first place in the Men’s Physique Open Class E category.

However, all winners from each category proceeded to the overall ratings where only one person was awarded the pro card and that is where Gumbo failed to grab first place.

Going into the competition, Gumbo’s main goal was to get the IFBB pro card. Had he done so he would have become the first Zimbabwean to.

For one to get the prestigious IFBB pro-card, a person must train hard, compete in various competitions and be ranked high in those competitions.

Once the bodybuilder ranks high in the regional contest weight class, they must then compete in national championships.

Despite missing out on the pro-card, Gumbo is happy with his performance at the weekend.

“I am happy to have won in my class though I missed out on the overalls. For me, it’s not the compliments, the medals or the trophies that I win every year. To me what’s important is knowing that people from far and near, young and old all over my country Zimbabwe are being inspired to chase their dreams by seeing the hard work, patience, and relentless determination that I put in day by day. To me that’s bigger and more powerful than just winning gold medals. Massive thanks to everyone for the support, love and words of encouragement, my coach Romeo Moffat, and my sponsors Trysupps Zimbabwe indeed the future is bright. It’s me to go back to the drawing board and push for that IFBB pro-card,” said Gumbo.

Gumbo won big in South Africa in 2021 when he took first place in the Men’s Muscular Physique 179cm and also scooped the overall prize in the physique category at the Arnold Classic Competition.

The competition was launched in 2016 as a multi-sport festival that features bodybuilding, strongman, weightlifting and a large fitness expo. — @innocentskizoe