Sundaymail Editor
Deputy Sports Editor
THE closing image of the Ironman Festival in Kadoma a fortnight ago is one that is likely to remain etched in the memory of the bodybuilding community for many years to come.
National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness (NFZBF) leaders, Kenneth Murugweni and Quiet Shangai, and sponsor of the Ironman Classic event, Tich Mharadze, posed for a picture with senior men bodybuilding winners, Gideon Teguru, Pritchard Hoko and Nunurai Masosonere, as confetti rained down to mark the end of the event.
It was a triumphant moment for all the six men on stage, as the duo of Murugweni and Shangai celebrated the return of the event after a five-year break.
“It was a successful event in its entirety, as all the events that we planned to host went on without a hitch,” said the NFZBF secretary-general.
“With regards to participation at the Ironman Classic event, it was a great turnout and the level of competition was just outstanding.
“It was very much unpredictable across all categories, and the winners represent the future of the sport.
“Gideon Teguru has arrived, and it is safe to say that he is now a premier athlete, while the likes of Aaron Musarurwa, Blessing Sithole and Lynette Tom are the future of the sport.”
While Teguru and Hoko celebrated their first- and second-place finish in the main category, the moment was more special for third-placed Masosonere.
He was a surprise entrant at the event, with most people believing the 34-year-old had retired after clinching last year’s Manicaland Classic.
“I am an athlete, and also a businessman as I currently run a small gym (Family Fitness Gym) in Harare, so the idea is to balance between business and sport,” he said.
“However, I am not retired. When you don’t see me on the stage competing, I will be in the background trying to assist some of the younger guys find their feet.
“This sport is my passion and I will always be involved in one way or another.”
Masosonere had unfortunate episodes, the first of which – ironically – occurred soon after the Manicaland event.
He caught a cold soon after the event, and had to pull out of the Harare Open after experiencing Covid-19-like symptoms.
He later had “a life-threatening stomach infection” that was diagnosed as food poisoning, in the lead-up to the Ironman Festival.
“I feel fortunate and blessed to have been able to compete at the festival, as I fell ill in the lead-up to the event.
“I had a stomach infection, and most of my training revolved around restoring my confidence, as I also had fallen ill last year after the Manicaland Classic.
“The first one was a Covid-like flu, which seriously affected my eating patterns and forced me to pull out of the Harare Open that was held days after the Manicaland Open back in December last year.”
Against this background, a podium finish at the Ironman Classic was a bonus for him.
“This sport is my passion. I don’t do it for the money, and so stepping on that stage after all the illnesses was a win.
“The third-place finish was a bonus,” he said.
“Health-wise, I am still recovering and not yet back to my full fitness.
“I am back for good, but, if all goes well, I think 2022 could very well be my last year of competitive bodybuilding.
“I am nurturing young and aspiring bodybuilders, as well as a couple of seasoned campaigners, and I will be mainly concentrating on this after this year.”
Masosonere said he plans to compete at the Marume Classic, the Harare Open, among others, before calling it quits.
He believes he will leave the sport in safe hands.
“Bodybuilding is very much alive, and in good hands, and I want to thank the federation for all the work they have done so far.
“The likes of Teguru, CC Banks (Sithole) and Lynette could do better with a little more sponsorship.
“The talent is there, and all that is lacking is the sponsorship.”
Online Reporter