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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
ALL is set for the 2016 Mr and Ms Novice body-building contest at Longchen Plaza in the capital tomorrow night. The event, the first on the calendar, will see battles in five body-building and fitness divisions, six power-lifting divisions and two strength and fitness challenge competitions.

Eight provinces have confirmed their participation in the contest — Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, Masvingo, Midlands, Bulawayo and Harare. National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness spokesperson Quiet Shangai said the contest will cater for both male and female athletes who are starting in the sport. “The day will start with registration in the morning before we go straight into the main business of the day with the power-lifting and strength and fitness challenges,” Shangai said.

“In the bodybuilding and fitness, we have senior men and junior men, men’s fitness and women figure fitness as well as the wheelchair category.

“The powerlifting has bench press, squats and dead lifts for both men and women while strength and fitness challenges will also be for both sexes,” he added.

Renowned body-builder, Irvine Dekeya, is set to guest pose at the event together with Masimba Nyamajiwa from Masvingo. At last year’s contest, the senior men body-building trophy went to Brian Saundombe while Raymond Mutandiri walked away with gold in the juniors.

Shammah Mugava was crowned men’s fitness champion while Marlyn Mangoto and Shantel Batch won the women bodybuilding and women bikini fitness categories. NFZBBF have partnered various sponsors for the contest who include 1=1, Bodytech health Studios, Savanna Pharmaceuticals and Mr Simba Chikore among others.