Andrew
Tinashe Kusema
Deputy Sports Editor
AT the end of the hype that characterised last weekend’s Mr and Ms Olympia bodybuilding contests, the biggest takeaway from the events has been the growth of the women’s category.
Going into the contest, the women’s bikini category, better known as Olympia Bikini, had four past winners in Jennifer Dorie (2021), Janet Layug (2020), Elisa Pecini (2019) and Ashley Kaltwasser (2013-2015), but somehow managed to produce a brand-new champion in Maureen Blanquisco.
An underdog going into the competition, despite also winning this year’s Bikini Olympia Championships, the 29-year-old Norwegian walked away US$50 000 richer.
Elsewhere, Andrea Shaw continued her dominance with her third straight Ms Olympia crown, as well as wins for Missy Truscott (Fitness Olympia) and Natalia Coelho (Women’s Physique Olympia).
It is enough to inspire an entire movement, as women dominated the headlines in a sport once believed to be an “All boys club”.
And, inspire it has; the Zimbabwe bodybuilding community kept a keen eye on the goings-on of the Olympia weekend, as tweeted and shared on their various social media platforms.
Leading the pack, for the women, at least, is Linnety Tom. She is currently one of the leading ladies of the sport.
While not Olympia-bound just yet, Tom aspires to make her mark on the international arena, sooner rather than later.
“I am looking forward to competing internationally next year, as the main goal right now is to win and attain a Pro-card.
“As long as I am fit and stay fit, nothing is going to stop me,” Tom said.
The sad reality of the sport in Zimbabwe is that bodybuilding is still largely amateurish, and the lack of financial backing has resulted in the locals crawling where their peers in other countries like South Africa are strolling.
It is even worse for the women’s category, as their numbers pale in comparison to their male counterparts and fellow women internationally.
One classic example of the huge disparity that exists between the two is the fact that locally, women only have the Bikini category to aspire to, while the rest of the world enjoys a variety of choices, including the Women’s Physique, Figure and Fitness categories.
Despite the challenges, 2022 has come with some huge strides in women’s bodybuilding and fitness.
Precious Mujuru attained her Pro-card at this year’s Arnold Classic, while Nomathamsanqa Phiri had arguably one of the best breakout debuts seen in recent times.
Regina Jonga still rules the roost, and she happens to be one of Tom’s idols and a source of inspiration. It is from watching Jonga strut her stuff on stage that got the long-distance runner hooked onto the sport in the first place.
“I was a long-distance runner before l got into bodybuilding.
“I used to run at school and did so from about Grade Four right up to Form Four, competitively, that is.
“What made me stop was that I got injured when l took part in the 2017 Victoria Falls Marathon. I picked up a knee injury and had to stop,” she said.
Tom then made the easy transition to bodybuilding as a means of staying fit and healthy.
Her breakout moments occurred over two incidents — the first coming when she won her first title, and then when she saw Jonga conquer.
“When l started competing, it was mostly for fun but all that changed after I won the GS Classic.
“That is when I started to get excited about the sport. “I was motivated by Regina Jonga, when I saw her perform for the first time back in 2019, and that is how I decided to compete in the GS Classic.
“She is one of the people I look up to, together with Precious Mujuru; it doesn’t really matter that we compete in different categories,” Tom said.
Now, Tom also has a number of fitness models and female bodybuilders who look up to her.
“I have few ladies who are either new to the sport or already taking part who always come to me and say that one day they want to be like me.
“These moments make me happy and push me to do more.
“I also try to encourage them to keep pushing, as we still have many things and goals to achieve,” said Tom.
With 2022 coming to an end, the sky is the limit as to what she can achieve next.
She has already stamped her authority on the local scene. Now, a Pro-card is the only thing that stands between her and the big stage.
* Twitter: @Nashaar
Online Reporter