SERIAL Men’s Bodybuilding Men’s Physique champion, Itai Blessing Sithole, successfully defended his Manicaland Classic title in Mutare on Saturday.
The Country Club muscleman proved too powerful for his opponents, subsequently redeeming himself from an uncharacteristic fourth place finish at the Marume Classic held in Harare seven days prior to the Mutare contest.
CC Banks, as he is popularly known in bodybuilding circles, said he was not going to lose focus over the Marume Classic upset.
“I went there with a positive mindset despite what happened at the Marume Classic. I just told myself that in life you win some and you lose some. This was one title that I was not prepared to let go. We worked hard, went there, and retained the title,” Sithole told NewsDay Sport.
“One of my friends dared me to enter Marume Classic. I wasn’t even going to enter that show so I only entered it two days prior to the competition just to show him that I wasn’t scared of anyone. I wasn’t 100% ready, but still in my state I was still good enough to beat everyone on stage. After that disappointment, I put in extra hard work and improved on my diet.”
In Mutare, Harare Royal Fitness athlete, Weignrace Masendeke, came second, while Pearson Charakupa, Brighton Ndawana, Bothwell Ndambi; Collen Chikodzi finished in their respective third to sixth positions.
Sithole said the competition he faced was not what he expected describing his opponents as “little boys”.
“It was too easy for me; I like being challenged. The boys that I stood against with were little boys. I need to compete with people who are on my level,” he added.
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“I need a competition that is hard such that when I win, I really feel that I had to sweat for it, not when I’m standing with the small boys. With this one I was literally given the crown without shedding any sweat.”
Sithole is now looking forward to defending another title, the Harare Classic before lining up for the bigger one, the Zim Nationals.
“I will be doing the Harare Classic and hoping that some big boys will enter the competition because Kings must stand with Kings. Kings can’t stand with peasants,” he said.
“I’m just hoping that the big boys come in and we make it an interesting one. I will be defending my title yet again at Harare Classic and you know what’s going to happen, I’m going to retain that title. My body is getting harder and harder, it is now coming out better and better.”
2023 Manicaland Classic Official Results:
Women Bikini Fitness: 1) Yeukai Midzi 2) Michelle Chivake
Men’s Fitness: 1) Beloved George 2) Tatenda Makoto 3) Pearson Charakupa.
Men’s Physique: 1) Blessing Itai Sithole 2) Weignrace Masendeke 3) Pearson Charakupa 4) Brighton Ndawana 5) Bothwell Ndambi 6) Collen Chikodzi.
Junior Men Bodybuilding: 1) Denver Ngwaru 2) Keith Chingonzo 3) Tadiwanashe Dahwa 4) Innocent Chawakaona 5) Tinotenda Karumbioza 6) Sean Sithole.
Senior Men Bodybuilding: 1) Knowledge Mudzingwa 2) Denver Ngwaru 3) Keith Chingonzi.
Best Poser: Keith Chingonzo
