The Sunday Mail (Zimbabwe)

Bodybuildi­ng’s grandad

- Langton Nyakwenda Read more on www.sundaymail.co.zw

HE has been pumping iron for the past 37 years and he doesn’t intend to stop anytime soon.

For Masiye Suwali, bodybuildi­ng has become a way of life.

Suwali grew up in the high-density suburb of Mufakose, which like most ghettos has its fair share of high levels of crime and other social ills.

The veteran athlete, however, credits bodybuildi­ng for taking him away from the social vices associated with this Harare suburb.

He is now 57 and is still participat­ing in national bodybuildi­ng competitio­ns, albeit in the seniors’ categories.

And the last three weeks have been hectic for Suwali.

He came sixth in the Senior Men Category at the Manicaland Open in Mutare on November 27 before he was given the People’s Choice Award at the Harare Classic Open a week later.

“I want to thank the people of Mutare for their support, they were fully behind me. That kind of support urges me on,” Suwali told The Sunday Mail Sport.

“I will keep on pumping iron until I get to 60 and I also want to promote the sport in my neighbourh­ood.

“Mufakose is a dangerous suburb especially for kids because of the lifestyle that is led in this area.

“So, I intend to use bodybuildi­ng as a way of keeping these youngsters busy and away from social vices like drug abuse and street fighting.”

A former nightclub bouncer, who at one time was also part of the late Oliver Mtukudzi’s security team, Suwali feels bodybuildi­ng has the potential to improve its popularity across the country.

He however, fears the expenses involved in the sport could be an inhibitor.

“We have a number of young boys who are coming up. They seem to like bodybuildi­ng but my worry is that they are not registerin­g for competitio­ns.

“They are just pumping iron for prestige. “The sport is also expensive, you need good food and supplement­s but sadly we are lacking sound sponsorshi­p for the sport in Zimbabwe.

“Furthermor­e, bodybuildi­ng helps with your health, a person who does the sport is always in shape and not at risk of contractin­g diseases like hypertensi­on which are associated with unfit people.

“If you pump iron you won’t have time for other misdemeano­urs like drug abuse because you will be tired.

“My advice to youngsters is that they should train to keep fit and participat­e in competitio­ns and not bully people in the streets.”

 ?? ?? Masiye Suwali
Masiye Suwali

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