The ManicaPost
YOUNG Simbarashe Fore might not have won the 2017 Mr Novice contest, but being the youngest on stage and managing to be in the top six out of the 17 senior category competitors will surely go down as an achievement for the budding Mutare bodybuilder.
The Mr Novice 2017 contest was held at the Colcom Complex in Harare last Saturday with a number of upcoming bodybuilders from different parts of the country flexing their muscles on stage. Manicaland had its fair share of representatives in almost every category of the competition.
Ngonidzashe Gwama and Robert Saunyama did well to settle for third and fourth position respectively in the junior men category, while Tafadzwa Mikiya came fifth in the men’s physique competition.
However, it was the youngest man on stage, Fore, who surprised all including himself when he landed sixth position in the senior men bodybuilding category which was eventually won by 28-year-old Midlands’ Liberty Mudzengi.
The 23-year-old, who delayed his participation in national competitions owing to health challenges dating back to 2012, competed against bodybuilders with an average age of 28, but still managed to give a good account of himself.
“It was a good experience taking part in the 2017 Mr Novice competition. We were 17 on stage and at 23 I was the youngest in the senior men’s category. More importantly this was my first real competition and I am happy with the way I performed. I could have competed in similar competitions way back, but I faced health related challenges in 2012 hence I could not,” he said.
The former Mutare Junior and Mutare Boys’ High pupil, said he was now aiming at Mr Manicaland as well as another top six achievement at the Mr Zimbabwe competition.
“Going forward I am now aiming at winning the Mr Manicaland competition this year. I am also looking forward to take part in the Mr Zim 2017 competition and possibly finish in the top six.
Those are my immediate goals. In five years time, I am hoping to have turned pro and competing at the highest level. I am really thankful to my mentors, Siba Guzha and Givemore Marume for the guidance and support they are giving me,” he said.
Body Focus Gym director, Siba Guzha, who is also the Manicaland Bodybuilding and Fitness Association secretary, praised Fore as a focused bodybuilder who has a bright future in his career.
“I think he is a dedicated, focused and talented young man who still has more years ahead of him in bodybuilding. The future is bright in his career if he continues in the path he is traversing.”
