NFBF offers Byo Body Works Gym rights to host Mr, Mrs Iron man Teen bodybuilder targets Ms Novice title
THE National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness (NFBF) has offered Bulawayo’s Body Works Gym the rights to host the Mr and Ms Iron Man 2017 to be held in June.
This will mark the first time this event would be held in Bulawayo, as it has always been staged in Harare.
Body Works Gym manager Donavan Ashborne said preparations for the competition had already started and bodybuilding enthusiasts should expect an exciting tournament.
“This is such a huge honour, not only for us as Body Works Gym, but the whole of Bulawayo because it will be the first time for the city to host the event. The honour comes after we successfully hosted the Classics Body Works competition last month,” said Ashborne.
“Preparations have already begun because we want to leave a mark. This is the second biggest bodybuilding competition in the country after Mr Zimbabwe and we want to make it a memorable event that will lure other competitions to Bulawayo in future.”
He said the event would open new avenues for local athletes by exposing them to a more competitive bodybuilding and fitness environment. Such events, Ashborne said, would also broaden local bodybuilders’ discipline and character on and off the stage, which is invaluable to their future endeavours.
Body Works Gym will also host the Mr and Ms Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), Mr Bulawayo and Body Works Classics in 2017.
Bodybuilders from around the country will face off in various divisions, which include senior men bodybuilding open, junior men Under-23 bodybuilding, junior men Under-20 men physique open, men’s fitness open, women bikini fitness open, women figure open and men wheelchair bodybuilding open — @khumzallen. TONYA Greenland (14) is arguably the youngest female bodybuilder in Bulawayo and has set her sights on winning the Ms Novice Zimbabwe title.
It has only been three months since she started bodybuilding, but she already has set a high target for herself. Tonya was inspired to take up the sport by her aunt and renowned female bodybuilder Shantel Greenland, who is also her trainer at Body Works Gym.
“I realised that I cannot make it alone and one makes it to the top through learning from the best. I decided to train with Shantel because she is a champion and is the reigning Ms Zimbabwe. She gives me tips for training and to avoid eating food with too much fat,” said Tonya.
She is determined and exudes a fighting spirit despite her young age. She said her schoolmates do not have qualms about her new found passion.
Although bodybuilding has gained acceptance as a sport, some still view it negatively.
“There are some people from my neighbourhood that question why I joined bodybuilding instead of netball or basketball and think something is wrong with me. I don’t mind their negative perceptions because it’s my passion and there are a lot of other girls who are in this sport,” Tonya said.
Veteran trainer Simon Gama also assists in her training and believes Tonya will become a household name in bodybuilding soon.
“She has started dieting and trains hard and her body is shaping up well. If she maintains that I believe she will bag titles; starting with the Ms Novice to Ms Zimbabwe,” said Gama, who boasts a number of accolades under his belt
Tonya is a Form 2 pupil at Speciss College and aspires to be a medical doctor.
“I have a strong interest in science subjects, which I’m doing well in,” she said. She is a principled athlete, who religiously follows a set timetable.
“I go to school from 8AM-1PM. I take a break and go to the gym at 3PM. My parents are also supportive and bought me a training kit. They also cater for all my training expenses,” she said