Zimbabwe: Mr and Ms Iron Man Back
Date: 29-05-2007
Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamZimbabwe |
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ONE of Zimbabwe's top bodybuilding competitions -- the Mr and Ms Iron Man -- is back on the radar after a year's absence.
The competition will be staged at Gweru Theatre on June 16 as the event comes to the Midlands probably for the first time since 1980.
The Zimbabwe National Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association has tasked gym owner Melvin Vann Gopal with organising the show.
ZNBBWA last year failed to raise enough money to host the competition in May before it was postponed to August and then eventually called off.
Many bodybuilders were disappointed with the sad turn of events as they had spent a lot of time, effort and a little fortune in their preparations.
And the return of the Mr Iron Man competition is likely to be welcomed by the country's hulks who have already competed in two other events -- the Mr Mashonaland and the Mr Midlands Closed -- far this year.
This year's event co-ordinator Vann Gopal said he was already working on staging the big show.
He said his major challenge will come in raising enough money for a successful show.
"I have been tasked with holding this year's Mr Ironman in Gweru on the June 16.
"Besides the difficulty of raising sponsorship, we are all set to go," he said.
Vann Gopal is confident that the competition will attract some of the top names in local bodybuilding circles and even some Zimbabweans based in Botswana.
"We have been in contact with all the big names in the sport in the country both in Zimbabwe and those in Botswana and they are prepared to participate.
"Athletes like Givemore (Marume), Big Life Mhlaulo, Last Sithole, Spencer Bauti, Blessing (Samaringa) and Zumailer Maman Eusein could be coming," he said.
Vann Gopal also believes the Midlands has made great strides in promoting bodybuilding and powerlifting.
He sponsors the Muscle and Fitness Classic Open and the Mr Midlands Closed contests.
