Kandiyero retains Mr Iron Man

in Kadoma on Saturday night.

Kandiyero who pumps iron from Pro Fitness Gym won the Iron Man event in 2011 at Ochi City when he upstaged Isaac “Sugar” Chimuchenga.

With the competition having been frozen last year, it left Kandiyero to enter as the title holder.

It was however, a tight contest as Champion Mbewe who came second and Eddie Marondera and Sugar were also looking sharp in the senior men’s section.

Going by the moniker “The Vince Cutter” in bodybuilding circles, Kandiyero said he came prepared to win his second Iron Man title.

“I did not think much about the other athletes before the show because I came prepared to defend the title and I knew I had done well.

“I trained very well and it’s just like a student going to school who should study to excel in exams. If you do not study then you should not expect miracles and it’s the same with me because I trained very hard,” said Kandiyero.

For winning the Iron Man title, Kandiyero walked away with a plasma television a food hamper while he had driven home in a Toyota FunCargo in 2011.

“I think I had worked hard on the biceps, calves, hamstrings and quads. I had the six-pack and a chest already so I think that’s where I came out tops,” said Kandiyero.

Indeed, Kandiyero exhibited a body like a well chiseled Greek statue as he had a good balance of thickness and condition although his body was a bit loose.

Mbewe had looked sharp during the pre-judging and managed to give the defending champion a good run on the night while Sugar proved once again that he was a cut above the rest on free posing routines as he had the crowd up from their seats.

The Gweru-based Sugar was placed third while Simba Fero had a big back and was placed fourth with Marondera coming fifth while Noah Dzvokora and veteran Zumailer Eusen-Manan were tied in sixth place.

Donald Maphosa was crowned the junior Mr Iron Man as he beat Reginald Pasara and Donald Page who took the bronze.

Maphosa said he had worked hard in the gym to win and he is now eyeing the Mr Zimbabwe show later this year.

“I trained so hard and had a lot of focus and dieting for this competition so I think I deserved it.

“This is my game and I was confident but all the guys were a treat to me and I hope to work on my back and my calf in future,” said the 20-year old who works at Results Gym in the capital.

There were only two women for the Ms Iron Man and Regina Jonga edged Mauren Magudu for the title.

During the outdoor event, the audience were treated to music by urban groover Ngoni Kambarani while Kadoma deputy mayor Chamu Chinyarianye was the guest of honour. It was the first time that the Iron Man had been hosted outside Harare or Bulawayo and event host Tichaona Mharadze said they were happy to play a part in bringing Kadoma alive. Mharadze, who is the director at Coloursell Furnitures said they were happy to be included on the Zimbabwe National Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation programmes as partners.

“I want to thank the ZNBBF and the Kadoma community for coming to The Odyssey and we hope to host more competitions in future,” said Mharadze.

However, in future outdoor events, the organizers need to improve their stage work and lighting and back-stage management as athletes were at the receiving end of a chilly breeze on the night.

Ironman Results:

Seniors:

Winner : Vincent Kandiyero (Mr Iron Man)

Champion Mbewe

Isaac Sugar Chimuchenga

Simbarashe Fero

Eddie Marondere

Zumailer Eusen Mamman /Noah Dzvokora

Lovemore Manyamana

Mike Alimu

Tapiwa Chibota

Juniors: