adminFungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
MUTARE-based reigning Mr Iron Man Zimbabwe, Blessing Saunyama, wants to add more silverware in his cabinet when he takes part in the inaugural Manicaland Classic bodybuilding contest next Saturday.
The contest, which will be held at a local hotel, is open to participants from across the country.
Saunyama believes the quest to win the Manicaland Classic will be tough.
“I am working hard to make sure that I write my own piece of history by becoming the first winner of the Manicaland Classic. Yes, I might have won the Mr Iron Man contest, but that is a thing of the past,” he said.
“I know it will not be easy given that I now have bodybuilders who are out to prove a point to me.”
The Manicaland Body Building Fitness Association are hosting this event, which includes participants from other provinces, for the first time after hosting the same contests at provincial level.
Participants will take part in four categories that include senior men, junior men, Under-23s, men’s fitness and women’s bikini.
The registration fee is $10.
Manicaland Body Building Fitness Association secretary-general Siba Guzha said they are happy to host the event for the first time.
He said they were expecting many athletes from outside the province.
“We are hosting the Manicaland Classics for the first time in history. We have been having a lot of activity with bodybuilders from Manicaland taking part in different contests, but at provincial level we have not been able to host a single competition.
“We have decided to up the game and have at least two contests here.
“We are expecting 30 plus athletes for the Manicaland Classic. So far we have participants coming as far as from Harare, Marondera, Kwekwe, Bulawayo and our local-based athletes expressing interest to take part in Manicaland Classics,” he said.
The occasion will be graced by the current Mr Zimbabwe Paul Goredema.
Registration of bodybuilders will start from 2pm to 3.30pm on the date of the event.
Guzha bemoaned the lack of sponsorship.
“We are trying by all means to attract sponsorship and we hope this event will attract some individuals who will sponsor us.
“We are working and trying by all means to change the face of bodybuilding in our province.
“We want all our athletes to become professionals. We will also work with them so that they are able to contest in international contests.
“We are now affiliated with the mother body.
“For a long time we have been lagging behind other provinces. We want to groom them from grassroots all the way to the top.
“There will be prizes in each and every category, but for now we are still gathering sponsorship,” he said.
Online Reporter