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Makomborero Mutimukulu in JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
THE Zimbabwean flag flew high and proud at the inaugural Arnold Classic Africa here yesterday with the female pair of Precious Mujuru and Regina Jonga getting placements.
Power lifter Prosper “Wasu” Saunyama also qualified for today’s final as Team Zimbabwe made their presence felt at the Sandton Convention Centre.
After a disastrous opening day which saw the male fitness athletes disappoint, Jonga, a South African based bodybuilder who hops from one menial job to the other, was the first to bring cheer.
She placed sixth in the physique body fitness category.
Jonga showed little signs of nerves on her international debut, graciously going through her poses, much to the delight of a strong Zimbabwean contingent.
And despite possessing probably the worst legs on offer, Jonga gate crashed into the top six.
“Tell me I am not dreaming,” she said soon after leaving the stage with her medal and certificate.
“Before taking to the stage I didn’t fancy my chances because all the ladies, especially the ones from Europe, looked like they had it in the bag already.
“However, I grew in confidence as the competition unfolded and am happy I have represented my country well.”
Jonga’s achievement takes an awesome look when read against the background that she trains in a rundown gym in downtown Pretoria and cannot afford the most basic of supplements even on a good day.
“My biggest challenge is lack of resources. People will be surprised to hear that I have never done leg extension exercises in my life because the gym I use has no equipment.
“One would not expect an athlete who doesn’t do leg extensions to get a placing at such a competition but the grace of God made it possible,” said the “daughter” of PHD Ministries leader Walter Magaya.
Minutes after Jonga had changed the mood in Team Zimbabwe’s camp, the ultra confident Mujuru stood her ground against a strong field that had athletes from countries such as China, the Czech Republic and Australia.
She placed fourth amid murmurs of disapproval from an auditorium which felt that the Zimbabwean deserved a better placement.
However, Mujuru was in no mood to groan.
“To be honest, I wasn’t very confident going into this competition, it was my first time on the international stage so there was some bit of nerves during the first few poses,” she said.
“Coming fourth at the Arnold Classic is a massive confidence booster as it means the international judges saw something in me.
“I would like to dedicate this medal and certificate to my mum because she stood by me during the dieting period. I was always like ‘no mum don’t put too much cooking oil, no I want white meat’ and she put up with me so this one is for her.”
Team Zimbabwe Chef de Mission Givemore Marume hailed Jonga and Mujuru for their strong performances.
“This is massive for us, the level of competition was way, way up there and for our girls to get placements means a lot,” he said.
“Regina’s achievement is just mind blowing. She doesn’t have a proper gym and cannot afford a proper diet yet here she is, giving some of the world’s leading athletes a good run for their money.
“Clearly there is need for us to find a way of assisting her, if she was based in Zimbabwe it would have been easier but the fact that she is based here means we have to explore how best we can raise resources for her.”
The Arnold Classic Africa jamboree enters its final day today amid hopes that Saunyama will put the icing on the cake.
Online Reporter