Return of Sugar Sugar

Quiet Shangai

ONE of the country’s top bodybuilders, a living legend is his own right, Isaac ‘Sugar Sugar’ Chimuchenga is back.

He is leaner and meaner than ever!

After a decade-long hiatus, Chimuchenga, best known for dethroning Zumailer Eusen Mamman, Givemore Marume and Vincent Kandiyero at the Ironman 2008, Profitness Open 2010 and Ironman 2014 respectively, has come out of retirement and thrown his name into the hat for next month’s Zimbabwe Nationals.

“I could never quit bodybuilding my brother.

“I love this sport,” said the man who is somewhat a hero in Botswana. One can be forgiven for thinking that he is a native of that country.

I vividly remember the 2009 Profitness Open. When Isaac Chimuchenga arrived at the venue of the competition, it was clear that he had no intention to compete.

He was simply there to have a good time and some actually concluded that he had lost his passion for the sport.

After all, he had only achieved a third place finish at the Muscle and Fitness competition that had been held in Gweru earlier that year.

Many thought that his decision to sit the competition out was a sign of defeat.

But at the Novice 2010, Sugar Sugar came back stronger. He guest-posed together with Blessing Samaringa and Kandiyero.

“I think Sugar will cause serious damage at Profitness Open 2010. He looks sharp,” said Ramzu, who was judging at the Novice 2010 competition.

Ebrahim Moosa concurred, “Isaac Chimuchenga is a punisher. He may choose to be elusive but when he appears, he creates problems. You may opt to underestimate Sugar but do that at your own peril. He is very dangerous.

He went on to participate in the competition and won. I have mentioned this anecdote because once again, we find ourselves in a similar situation.

Could history repeat itself come September 28 at the Avondale 7 Arts theatre?

The last time I spoke to Samaringa, he told me that he will step on stage at least one more time, before he joins Innocent Choga in the retirement zone.

Well, Samaringa versus Chimuchenga is one of the most highly anticipated rivalry in Zimbabwe bodybuilding today, yesterday and forever.

I just hope that the Frank Zane of Zimbabwe bodybuilding will also decide to step on stage to add flavour to an event that already promises fireworks.

Nigel Maphosa and Edward Mutero are also expected to step on stage.

But despite all this, the return of Sugar Sugar is most likely the main drawcard to the Zim Nationals.