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Raymond Jaravaza Sports Correspondent
SOUTH Africa-based bodybuilder Ndumiso Dlodlo was crowned Mr Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), while Shantel Batch-Greenland scooped the Ms ZITF at a pageant held at a Bulawayo night club on Saturday night. Dlodlo shrugged off competition from reigning Mr Bulawayo Lovemore Munyamana, Mr Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national Givemore Marufu and another Bulawayo-based bodybuilder Lazarus Shereni.

In the Mr ZITF juniors’ category, Thabo Ngulube took home the title, while Courage Ganyiwa was the first runner-up and Dean Grant clinched the second runner-up spot.

Dlodlo took home $400 and a medal, while Batch-Greenland and Ngulube walked away with $250 each plus medals. Only two ladies, Batch-Greenland and Mitchell Matsito, entered the Ms ZITF. The ladies both train at Bodyworks Gym at the Parkade Centre under veteran trainer Simon Gama.

Despite losing out on the Mr ZITF title, Bulawayo athletes made the bulk of bodybuilders on the podium, with eight out of a total of 10 winners coming from Bodyworks Gym.

Secretary of the Bulawayo Metropolitan Bodybuilding and Fitness Association Marko Mwale said the principal sponsors of the event, Clarion Insurance, who chipped in with a package $1,500, were pleased with the manner in which the event was organised and pledged to continue working with his organisation.

“Clarion representatives handed over individual awards to the winners and they were happy that their sponsorship went to the athletes, which is what every sponsor wants. We will engage them to come on board for the Mr Bulawayo to be held in September,” said Mwale.

In-Trun Trading also provided medals and trophies that were handed out on the night.

There was also a helping hand from Hawkflight Construction, Super Med Pharmacy, Plus Two Pharmacy as well as Cloud Nine Nightclub, through venue sponsorship.

Results

Mr ZITF: Ndumiso Dlodlo

First runner-up: Lovemore Munyamana

Second runner-up: Lazarus Shereni

Ms ZITF: Shantel Batch-Greenland

First runner-up: Mitchell Matsito

Mr ZITF Juniors: Thabo Ngulube

First runner-up: Courage Ganyiwa

Second runner-up: Dean Grant

Fourth Place: Shawn Sakala

Fifth Place: Andrew Motelesi