adminTakudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
THREE international contests will headline this year’s National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness calendar.
The federation has rolled out the 2022 calendar as they continue to pray that the sport will not be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Arnold Classic Africa which will be held from May 20-22 will be the first international contest. Zimbabwe are still celebrating the outstanding performances Ryan Tinotenda Gumbo and Blessing “CC Banks” Sithole who won gold medals at the last contest.
Gumbo and Sithole made history by becoming the first Zimbabwean male athletes to be on the podium at the prestigious event after they won the Muscular Physique 179cm Division and Men’s Physique Divisions respectively.
Local athletes will also look forward to the International Federation of Bodybuilding World Fitness Championship qualifiers to be held in Ukraine.
Those who make it will take part in the International Federation of Bodybuilding World in the Republic of Korea from October 2-4.
On the domestic front, the calendar will be headlined by the Zimbabwe Nationals, formerly the Mr and Mrs Zimbabwe, which give athletes tickets to compete in international contests like the Arnolds Classic Africa.
The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair will be the second contest to be held in Bulawayo on April 30. The Muscle and Fitness will be held in Gweru at a date to be confirmed.
Mr and Mrs Ironman will be held at the Odyssey in Kadoma in June while the Manicaland Classic will be staged on August 27.
The annual Marume Classic, which was held in December last year after a two year-hiatus, will be staged on October 12.
The packed NFZBBF calendar will see the return of the Harare Classic on October 22 while the Mr and Mrs Bulawayo will come on November 19.
The year will close with the nationals and an annual meeting on November 26. Quiet Shangai, the NFZBBF secretary general said they are looking forward to a great calendar year.
Online Reporter