12 Sep 2016

South African based body builder, Nijel Maphosa is this year’s Gaborone Classics Power lifting champion.

The 25-year-old Zimbabwean body building champion was crowned before an impressive crowd at Lamilla Lodge outdoor arena on Saturday (September 10) evening. 

The well-built Maphosa shrugged off stiff competition from the top 10 contestants who were lined up for the big prize and enjoyed massive support from the crowd. The crown asserted Maphosa’s dominance on the body building scene having recently secured the closely contested International Boksburg Classics in South Africa. 

Two years ago, he won the Gaborone classics as an under 23 contestant.  On Saturday evening, Maphosa had to be on his best shape to beat the likes of Tapiwa Chibota and Fredrick Mashaba who came on position two and three respectively. 

The two made the cut to the last six round after impressing the crowd and the judges with their well-toned muscle definition.

Maphosa whose biggest asset is his upper body frame was ecstatic about the victory but conceded that the competition was equally good as last years’ where he came on position five. 

 He applauded the local body builders whom he said had grown physically and mentally over the years. 

The soft spoken champion said he was bracing for upcoming contest like the top Arnold Classic Africa and Mr Zimbabwe title.

One of the show organisers, Nicholson Manyiwa said he was impressed with the overall performance of the body builders.

He said this was the third edition of the show which has grown in leaps and bounds attracting competitors from across the shores. 

The winners scooped a package of supplements and prize money. The judges were convinced by muscle definition and dryness of competitors amongst others while in the power lifting category the contestants had to pick up the heaviest load. ENDS