Toyota Opa up for grabs at Zambezi Classic

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
A Toyota Opa will be up for grabs at the inaugural Zambezi Classic, a body-building contest to be staged in Lusaka, Zambia on 14 April where Zimbabwean athletes have shown an interest in participating.

Organised by Terrence Zinondo, a Zambia-based Zimbabwean businessman, the Zambezi Classic is targeting athletes from Southern African countries.

The total sponsorship stands at $13 000. Zinondo indicated that the initial idea was for the competition to be entered by Zimbabwean and Zambian body builders, only for athletes from other countries to hear about it with 38 entries having already been received so far. These are from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Tanzania.

“The Zambezi Classic is for Sadc countries only, the intention was Zimbabwe and Zambia but the rest heard about it, got in touch and asked to participate. About 20 athletes have so far confirmed locally, Zimbabwe so far has about five, Malawi 12 and one from Tanzania,’’ Zinondo said.

On the car, a 2 000 make which he personally provided, Zinondo said it will go to the overall men’s champion when winners of each category go up against each other.

“The car is coming from me as the event host, other prizes include cash, television sets and mobile phones. The car will go to the overall winner that pits all category winners against each other,’’ he said.

Categories to be contested for on the day are men’s body-building over 90 kilogrammes, men’s body-building Under-90kgs, men’s body-building Under-80kgs, men’s physique, junior Under-23, women fitness model and men’s fitness model.

The most intriguing battle on the night should be between 2016 Mr Zimbabwe winner Paul Goredema and seven times in a row Mr Zambia Sylvester Mwila in the over 90kg which means one of them will miss out on a chance to win the car.

According to Zinondo, Goredema and Mwila were the some of the first body-builders to confirm their participation.

For those coming from outside Lusaka, Zinondo said an athletes’ village has been secured which is a five-minute drive from the venue of the show where the body-builders will pay as little as $12 each per night. The contestants who will be staying at this village will also be provided with meals as per dietary requirements with transport also arranged on a complimentary basis from the show venue to the accommodation facility.