Men of steel invade Kadoma

During the years when the show has blown hot and cold, Harare has hosted most of the competitions while Bulawayo staged a few events but this year the Zimbabwe National Bodybuilding and Fitness Association are spreading the sport to other parts.

Otis Goredema, the ZNBBFF president yesterday said they have put everything in place to ensure the revived event will leave a legacy for the sport in the town.
“The Iron Man is very much on this Saturday and so far we have confirmed the panel of judges who will be doing the job on the day.

“All the logistics to do with the music, venue and police clearance have been sorted out and we are still getting confirmation from the athletes,” said Goredema.
Goredema said some of the athletes are playing their cards close to their chest but the entry list will be clear before the pre-judging on Saturday morning at the Odyssey.

“Entries for bodybuilders are still coming but I know that these athletes usually want to be very secretive and then just come at the last minute,” said Goredema.
Vincent Kandiyero, the last man to win the Mr Iron Man when the competition was staged in 2011, is expected to defend his crown while veteran Isaac “Sugar” Chimuchenga is also expected to be on the podium in the open category.

Unlike the Mr Zimbabwe contest that has weight categories, the Iron Man is a tricky affair in that the athletes are lumped into one open section where a heavyweight and lightweight athletes try to outdo each other.

“At the moment we have no confirmed entries from women but we understand some will be coming from Bulawayo and we are prepared for them.
“I am sure we will have a good number even from the juniors and our main sponsor is Coloursell Furnitures,” said Goredema.

Former Mr Iron Man, Zumailer Eusen-Maman has not come out in the open on whether he is contesting but his close allies have confided that he will be part of show.
Eusen-Maman, started off pumping iron in Kadoma before he found glory in the capital, while Eliah Samaringa from Pro-Fitness, reigning Mr Harare, Partson Chatedzuka, former Mr Novice , Eddie Marondera, Brighton Mazikana, Champion Champion and Nunurai Masosonere are some of the hulks expected to show their body symmetry and muscle density in Kadoma.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe National Weightlifting Federation have set up an interim executive that is geared to revive the sport currently in the doldrums.
Claude Shambare has taken over from the late George Takundwa and is on an ambitious drive to set up provincial structures across the country before they can start to identify and develop coaches and athletes.
The discipline in Zimbabwe has been largely inactive and lives in the shadows of its sister sport bodybuilding.