Innocent Kurira [email protected]
AFTER more than a decade of chasing bodybuilding glory, Ryan Gumbo has decided to press pause on his competition ambitions, choosing his health over another season on stage as he prepares for a new chapter as a fitness coach.
The Zimbabwean bodybuilder has called time on his 2026 competitive season following his appearance at the Harare Classic Fitness and Bodybuilding show, saying his body deserves a period of rest, recovery and rebuilding after a year characterised by comebacks, setbacks and sacrifices.
Gumbo, however, is not walking away from the sport that has defined much of his adult life.
Instead, the man who has spent years pursuing the elusive International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro Card wants to channel his experience, qualifications and practical knowledge into helping others achieve their fitness ambitions.
“My health will always come before any trophy, title or achievement. We have already accomplished so much this year, and sometimes knowing when to stop is just as important as knowing when to push harder,” said Gumbo.
“The body has given me everything I have asked of it, and now it is time to give it what it deserves; rest, recovery and rebuilding.”
The decision brings an end to a demanding 2026 campaign that saw Gumbo return to competitive bodybuilding after spending two years in Cape Town, South Africa, pursuing Sports Science studies.
His return was highlighted by victory in the Men’s Physique category at the Alex Classic in August, where he finished ahead of Blessing “CC Banks” Sithole and Benon Nyoni.
The return also revived his long-running rivalry with Sithole, who finished ahead of him at the Muscle Mulisha Grand Prix in Durban in September.
For Gumbo, the year was another reminder of the physical and mental demands of bodybuilding, a sport in which competitors must constantly balance training, nutrition, recovery and the pressure of maintaining peak condition.
His latest announcement also puts into perspective a journey that began in 2009 when he started training in backyard gyms.
He made his competitive debut at the Novice Zimbabwe competition in 2016, finishing second in the men’s fitness category before going on to establish himself among the country’s leading physique athletes.
One of his biggest career milestones came in 2021 when he won the Men’s Muscular Physique 179cm category and the overall physique prize at the Arnold Classic in Johannesburg.
The achievement strengthened his ambition to become Zimbabwe’s first IFBB professional in Men’s Physique.
However, the professional card has remained elusive despite several attempts, including winning his category at the 2023 Muscle Mulisha Grand Prix Pro Qualifier in Johannesburg.
Gumbo insists that dream has not been abandoned, although he is prepared to give himself time before returning to the competitive stage.
“And as for the quest for the IFBB Pro Card? The dream is not dead. The mission is not cancelled. It is just on pause,” he said.
He added that a return could come in 2029 or 2030, depending on his recovery and how life unfolds.
While the competitive athlete takes a break, Gumbo is preparing to expand his work in the fitness industry.
He wants to use the knowledge and qualifications accumulated over the years to help people pursuing weight loss, muscle building, body recomposition and competitive bodybuilding.
“I have experienced the struggles, made the mistakes, learnt the lessons and celebrated the victories. Now it is time to use that experience to help others write their own success stories,” he said.
Gumbo is also the founder of TrySupps Zimbabwe, which has supported local bodybuilding initiatives, including the Novice Zimbabwe competition.
His transition into coaching is therefore an extension of his involvement in the sport rather than a departure from it.
After years of chasing personal milestones, he now wants to contribute to the development of others and help aspiring athletes navigate the challenges that come with bodybuilding.
“This is not goodbye to the stage. It is simply the beginning of a different chapter. The athlete is resting but the coach is just getting started,” he said.
