The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
SINCE 2012, Lovemore Munyamana has walked away with the Mr Bulawayo title, with the pint-sized bodybuilder looking to making it seven wins in a row at Elite 400 on Saturday.
Munyamana has over the years fought off stiff competition to walk away with the biggest prize at the Mr and Ms Bulawayo competition. The 33-year-old yesterday said he was looking forward to defending his title but conceded that he has not had the best of preparations and is not expecting an easy ride.
“I am not yet geared for the competition but I am preparing. I am looking forward to tough competition. It’s not an easy competition like previous ones, I have seen how serious others have been. I am starting dieting on Monday, I have been training two days a week because of work pressure,’’ Munyamana said.
He did not train in July because he was not feeling well and only resumed in August. Despite that he promised fireworks.
Munyamana is expecting his experience to carry the day for him come Saturday.
Last year’s runners-up, Thembinkosi Lunga, Durrell Hamilton, Courage Ganyani as well as Givemore Marufu pose the biggest threat to Munyamana’s quest for a sixth Mr Bulawayo title. Ganyani has been based in South Africa and only returned home recently.
Last year, Lunga, taking part in Mr Bulawayo for the first time gave Munyamana good competition with only experience the decisive factor.
For the men’s physique, Pardon Dube is the defending champion with the other contenders being Tapiwa Zimhamba and Keith Mombeshora.
Shantel Greenland, winner of Ms Bulawayo since 2015 was coy on her participation but chances are high she will take to the stage to defend her crown. Greenland faces stiff competition from Sinini Nxumalo, Kylie McDonald and Selina Manuel.
Zibusiso Khumalo is the favourite in the men’s Under-23 bodybuilding with the other contenders being Dean Grant and Blessing Timburwa.
The other category is the men’s wheelchair where Mugoni Chikove has been working hard as he guns for the top prize.
Simon Gama, the Bulawayo Metropolitan Body Building and Fitness Association organising secretary indicated that all was in place for the show on Saturday.
“We are ready for Mr and Ms Bulawayo at Elite 400, Consha Enterprises, Thompson Mpala and Admire Gomera. There are good prizes worth $2 000 with trophies and medals for the winners,’’ Gamha said.
Expected to attend the show are Kenneth Murungweni, the National Federation of Zimbabwe Body Building and Fitness president, secretary-general Quiet Shangai, as well as female body bodybuilders Hellen Costa and Precious Mujuru.
According to Gama, only the top three from each category will represent Bulawayo at the national competition to be held in Harare on 30 September.
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