Marondera guns for Iron Man

not the size of the muscles but the symmetry that will count at the Mr Iron Man bodybuilding contest at Ochi City next month.
Marondera, winner of the Mr Novice contest at the same venue last year, is upbeat on his chances of reaching the last round at the Iron Man show on August 6.
Since his crowning moment last year, Marondera has taken part in the Mr Pro-Fitness contest in November where he reached the top six.
“The Mr Pro-Fitness was my first competition against seasoned athletes and I was happy to get a place in the top six.
“Focus now is on the Mr Iron Man and I want to show people that it’s not the size of the muscle that count but the proportion, cuts and body symmetry.
“I am feeling to be in fine shape and I have a well developed stomach and biceps. “I will just give the other contests a good run for their money,” said Marondera.
Marondera says he has been seriously working towards the prestigious bodybuilding competition for the past three months.
“My daily routine is that I wake up at around seven in the morning and do some warm-up at home for an hour.
“These exercises involve some squats and sit-ups,” said Marondera.
The hulk, who pumps iron at Scorpion Gym, works on heavy weights for another hour at gym.
“I then come to the gym and do heavy training for an hour and the other hour is for poses before I rest.
“I return to the gym in the evening for light training from six to 7pm,” said Marondera. The 28-year-old Marondera said his diet, as he prepares for the major competitions, consists of potatoes, macaroni and beans.
“I am taking care of what I eat which is mostly potatoes, macaroni, fruits and lots of water.
“During this time I do not take any drinks because they contain sugar.
“Sugar causes body to swell and this will affect my symmetry,” said Marondera.
While Marondera is upbeat of landing one of the top prizes, the man to beat in the competition is Gweru-based muscleman Isaac “Sugar” Chimuchenga.
Over the past two years, Sugar has swept all local trophies on offer and he was the last man to be crowned Mr Iron Man when the competition was held in 2008. Mashonaland Bodybuilding and Fitness Association president Tofara Moyo said the top prize for the winner will be a Toyota Fun-cargo vehicle, which the winner will take for keeps.
“We have said if the winner of the Miss Zimbabwe beauty pageant gets a curtsey car for a year, then why not have our Mr Iron Man getting a small vehicle in his name.
“The value of the car is around US$7 000 and we also have some residential stands in Tynwald as part of the prizes.
“I am sure the prizes will change the life of some people who put a lot towards sport,” said Moyo. This year’s Iron Man contest has introduced a new category for athletes with disabilities in the men’s section.
Dreadlocked Andrew Mapfudza is one of the physically challenged hulks preparing for the Mr Wheelchair Iron Man.
“People with disabilities have long been left out of such events but at least we have been given a chance to show the work that we are doing and show that we are also strong. “I salute the organisers because we also need sporting activities,” said Mapfudza.