By Onny Gangata
ALL is set for the Midlands bodybuilding show slated for Milan restaurant in Gweru on Saturday evening.
Bodybuilding enthusiasts will get a rare treat to witness hulksters flexing their muscles on the stage in more than five different categories.
Bodybuilding, men’s physique, powerlifting, the women’s open bikini and wellness are some of the categories on offer.
The show which is being organized by Empire gym has so far attracted more than 20 athletes, with some big names from outside the province confirming their participation.
Tafadzwa Magengezha of Empire gym said everything is on course for the show that starts at 6pm.
“More than 20 athletes have so far registered to participate and we are expecting more on the day, everything else is set and done just waiting for the day,” he said.
Gweru’s Muscle and fitness gym athlete, Yeukayi Midzi, who has been blazing her trail in the women’s bikini fitness category is looking forward to victory in her home town.
“So basically, I’m just happy to have a home show, it encourages and promotes the sport in our region too,” Midzi said.
“And i’m hoping we will reach out to other passionate athletes out there and they may also come join the sport. We need more athletes from the Midlands especially females.”
Another Muscle and fitness prodigy, Pearson Charakupa, who recently came second in the men’s fitness at the Fitness Physiques Africa Southern region championships, is confident of victory on home soil.
“This is the perfect opportunity for me to establish myself amongst bodybuilding greats not only from this town but in the country,” Charakupa said confidently.
There is a rich bodybuilding tradition in Gweru with big names in the sport such as Isaac ‘Sugar’ Chimuchenga, Victor Hungwe, Last Sithole and Paul Goredema having emanated from the Midlands capital.
And Charakupa is looking forward to following in the footsteps of the bodybuilding greats from the city.
“I am looking forward to the competitions on Saturday, and winning in front of home fans will put a cherry on top,” he added.
Harare based Natasha Landsberg, who competes in the wellness category is thrilled to be part of the competitors and is looking forward to the challenge outside the capital.
“I am looking forward to it, I cannot wait, it will be my first time in Gweru also, but the feeling of being on stage is awesome, it takes a lot of guts, confidence, courage to just present yourself to people up there and you don’t know how they will react towards you but yet you stand firm, so it is amazing,” she said.
