BODYBUILDER Blessing Itai Sithole maintained his winning streak after he scooped Harare’s Classic title at the weekend at the show held at the Zimbabwe College of Music.
Sithole, who is known as CC Bank$ in bodybuilding circles, arrived at the contest fresh from defending his Manicaland’s Classic title and winning the Arnold’s Classic in South Africa.
The Country Club athlete managed to win the title ahead of David Weier and Genius Gwara, who finished second and third respectively in the men’s physique category.
Normally, the brash Sithole usually taunts his opponents after winning but on Saturday night showed his humble side after acknowledging that his competition had given him a tough time.
“I’m used to trash talk and every tournament for me is just a normal day for me, but today it was not,” the surprisingly reserved Sithole said.
“l felt the pressure, my opponents were so good and they gave me a hard time today especially this young athlete…Weier.
“He (Weier) was on my throat today and it proves that even if we are to retire any day from now, our sport will still be in good hands
“But after all, it is said CC Bank$ is always the best and a winner and today was another big win.”
In the senior men bodybuilding category, Gideon Teguru made a huge upset when dethroned the defending champion Vincent “Vince Cutter” Kandiyero to clinch the title for the first time in his career.
Teguru, who is based at Life Fitness Club, beat Noah Dzvokora and South African-based Edward Mutero into second and third place respectively.
“I want to first thank my sponsor Never Ndemera for believing in me from day one. I almost quit the sport but he came to me. He did all the work for me to be where l am today,” an ecstatic Teguru said.
“It’s not easy to find someone like Ndemera, who can just assist you with money to achieve your goal without benefiting anything from it. He provided me with everything I needed to become a top athlete and today we got the results.”
In the women bikini fitness category, Bulawayo-based Shantel Batch dethroned defending champion Lynette Tom from Planet Fitness in Harare
Beitbridge-based Darlington Mukanwa emerged victorious in the junior men’s bodybuilding ahead of Aaron Musarurwa and Dylon Hakata.
Zambian bodybuilder Masimba Nyamajiwa took home the men’s fitness open ahead of Paul Bako and Givemore Kamuronjo.
The event’s major sponsor Chloride Zimbabwe said they were pleased with how smooth the contest ran.
“As an organisation we believe in nurturing and identifying hidden or underprivileged talent. We seek to develop people to excel in their best and God-given talents and gifts.
“The idea to get involved in sport is to help and motivate talented people, young and old to participate in these events for their benefit and talent excelling,” Chloride general manager Kudzielister Pasipanodya said.
by Cloud Fusire
SPORTSWRITER