Tendai Chara-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Harare Classic bodybuilding contest ended in controversy yesterday, with sections of the crowd booing and jeering after Tanzanian bodybuilder Abraham Mwalukomo was crowned senior men’s bodybuilding champion at 7 Arts Theatre in Harare.
Many fans were unhappy with the judges’ decision, insisting that crowd favourite Noah Dzvokora deserved the title.
Organisers defended the judges.
The senior men’s bodybuilding category was the most hotly contested, attracting experienced competitors from Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana and other countries.
The decision to place Dzvokora behind Mwalukomo sparked an angry reaction from sections of the crowd.
“This is shameful and daylight robbery. Everyone, besides the judges, felt that Dzvokora should have won it,” said one fan.
“There is a lot of politicking in local bodybuilding,” added the spectator, who declined to be named.
However, event organiser Tarisai Chirume defended the judging panel, saying it comprised qualified and experienced officials.
“Our judging panel is made up of qualified and experienced judges. The majority of the people in the crowd did not understand what the judges will be looking for in competitors,” Chirume said.
Mwalukomo, popularly known as Cobra, recently won the East African bodybuilding championship and was delighted to add the Harare Classic title to his achievements.
He walked away with the US$3 000 prize money.
“I am most probably the happiest man on earth right now. Competition was very tough and I never thought that I was going to win,” Mwalukomo said.
The Tanzanian also confirmed that he would return for the Zimbabwe Nationals scheduled for the end of the month.
“I will definitely return for the big one. The prize money is irresistible and I now know what to expect,” he said.
