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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
BODYBUILDERS from different parts of the country will be flexing their muscles on stage in the potentially exciting 2023 edition of the Manicaland Classics Open contest tomorrow at Holiday Inn Hotel in Mutare.
Registration starts around 3pm, while the main event kicks off at 6pm.
More than 50 contestants in different categories are expected to strut their muscles before a panel of judges.
Bodybuilders who have been inactive due to a few competitions that were hosted this year are expected to compete in tomorrow’s contest including the recent 2023 Marume Classics winner, Noah Dzvokora, Mutare-based Knowledge ‘Knox’ Mudzingwa and two ladies from neighbouring Zambia.
Manicaland Bodybuilders Association coordinator, Blessing ‘Hunky B’ Saunyama confirmed that all is set for the annual event.
“We are expecting a total representation from across the country. We are looking forward to having bodybuilders from Bulawayo, Harare, Rusape, Marondera, Mutare and Masvingo to mention, but a few of the areas represented.
“All defending champions are expected to attend and those who came second or third in the last event. We expect many new athletes to participate in this provincial event because this is where champions are normally made,” he said.
The 2017 Mr Iron Man Zimbabwe, Saunyama, emphasized on the importance of partaking in regional contests for local bodybuilders.
“I was a champion who hails from Mutare, so when I say these provincial events are where champions are made, I am speaking from experience,” he said.
Nunurai Masomere won the heavyweight championship Manicaland Classic edition 2019, while Blessings Sithole won the Men’s Fitness Physique Category and Lynette Thompson won the Bikini Fitness Model category before the event took a sabbatical due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Masomere retained the title last year’s edition.
Saunyama said they already have their list of the panel of judges.
“Our panel of judges will comprise of individuals with an understanding of bodybuilding. We do not want to disclose who the judges will be for the purposes of fairness and transparency,” he said.
On the categories that participants will compete in, Saunyama said: “We will have the Senior Men’s and Junior Men’s, Men’s Physique and Men’s Fitness and Ladies Bikini categories.
All the categories should have contestants from our plans and this promises to be an exciting event.”
The corporate world in Manicaland that supported the event include Tinty’s Hardware, Bluetech, Jade Studio’s Gym, Kaizen Pharmacy and Clicks Pharmacy.
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