The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro
MUTARE-BASED bodybuilder, Tafadzwa Mikiya, has set sight at scooping the Mr Novice overall title during the country’s ultimate body building event to be held in Harare on March 25.
Preparations for this year’s editions are at an advanced stage with a host of top bodybuilding athletes having confirmed participating in what promises to be the most fiercely contested national body building pageant in recent years.
Mikiya, the surprise package when he came first in the 2016 Commissioners’ Gala, said he was this time around expecting to land the big one.
He said he was ready to make his name on the big stage. He will be among the hulks who will be taking part this year.
“I am so positive about winning. I know it is a big challenge for me, but I will bring the title to Manicaland. I will contest in the Men’s Physique and Men’s fitness. I have been working very hard for this event. I started the preparations last year and I will scoop the first prize. The sport is demanding when it comes to diets, but I will sail through. I am just making finishing touches and working on my weak points and posing routines,” he added.
He is drawing confidence from his performance at the Commissioners’ Gala where he came first. He also took part in the Mr Dangamvura in 2015 where he came second. In the same year he participated in the Mr Manicaland and came second again before scooping silver in the Mr Knights Championship in 2016.
He said his dream was to become a professional one day if an opportunity does present itself. He has vowed to defender his gold medal which he won at the Commissioners’ Gala. The gala will be held in April.
“I have been working very hard. I know I will definitely retain my title. I told myself that I want to scoop gold in the middle weight category. It is very possible. I faced bigger and more muscular men, but I managed to beat them all. Commitment and confidence pays off,” he said.
National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness spokesperson, Quiet Shangai, said everything was set for the competition though the package remains a closely guarded secret for now.
“Preparations are going on well and everything has been sorted. What is left is for the day to come. The venue, prizes, funds and judges have been all secured. Everything looks promising and eight provinces, Harare, Bulawayo, Mashonaland Central, Midlands, Manicaland, Masvingo, Mashonaland East and West will take part,” said Shangai.
The contest will see bodybuilders facing off in five different categories which include Junior Men Under-21, Senior Men Open, Women Bikini fitness, Open Men’s Phisique and Wheelchair Bodybuilding.
