Call for bodybuilding support
THERE is need for support for female body-builders since they are the torchbearers for Zimbabwe on the international scene.
National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness spokesperson Quiet Shangai says that the recently held Arnold Classic South Africa showed the value of the female body-builders.
Only three out of 17 athletes, Garikayi Mujuru, Paul Goredema and Juliet Chimbadzo, won medals.
“Zimbabweans performed very well at Arnolds this year. However, we regressed while other countries such as Ghana, Mozambique and Angola progressed.
‘’The unfortunate thing is that our athletes have to sponsor themselves on everything with regards participation at these events.
“Our female body-builders need more exposure. They are doing so well so far. In fact, women bodybuilders are doing very well.
‘’The only gold medallists that we have in IFBB events are women, that is, Regina Jonga and Hellen Costa-Sinclair,” he said.
One of the only three Zimbabweans to walk away from the Arnold Classic South Africa with a medal this year, and also the only female to do so, Juliet Chimbadzo, says she is ready for more international competitions.
“The Arnold Classic was my first international competition and I was in the top six, winning a medal.
‘’I feel hard work has paid off, from January I was working four to five hours a day in the gym, and I am preparing for more international competitions,” said Chimbadzo, who is the Zimbabwe 2016 International Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Classic winner and was also crowned Ms Iron Man 2016.
Renowned fitness trainer Samson Mapuranga, who trains Chimbadzo, hailed the athlete.
“When you look at physique, Chimbadzo was in top shape; she had symmetry, proportion and balance such that her upper and lower body had immaculate symmetry.
‘’She had a well-chiselled mid-section, and separation in the quads, that is, front and back muscles had cuts.
‘’Her glute hamstring tie-in was on point and her side view was great,” said Mapuranga, who is Mr Zim 2006 winner. But presentation was to be Chimbadzo’s Achilles heel. “Chimbadzo had arguably the best body there, but we lost it on presentation. The judges are interested in stage persona, not only muscle. ‘’With Chimbadzo we have done all that can be done on muscle, now we need a modelling agency to train her to model on stage. ‘’She has sacrificed so much, she is a businesswoman, a mother and a wife, yet she puts her all into body-building and now we need to work on confidence and grooming, and the gold will come,” he said.