Story by Mthokozisi Dube
ZIMBABWEAN wheelchair bodybuilder, Lesley Gondo, stole the limelight at the weekend after winning the National Physique Committee (NPC) Pro World Cup Qualifier in South Africa.
Gondo was the star of the competition, securing the coveted NPC Pro Qualifier World Cup slot, a remarkable achievement for a local athlete.
With 16 gold medals to his name, Gondo, who competes under the Muscle Rage stable, is full of confidence after his latest triumph.
“It feels good. It is a milestone for me, and I hope to carry the momentum forward. I prepared well for the tournament, and I am excited to have lifted the national flag high. Many people attach negative connotations to disability, yet we can do what others do. I am overjoyed,” he said.
Fellow team-mate Pritchard Carter Hoko is impressed with Gondo’s rise to stardom.
“I have worked with many bodybuilders, but from the moment Lesley arrived, I said this guy has potential, and look at what he has achieved. It is a remarkable feat,” he said.
Gondo was competing alongside fellow Zimbabweans Noah Dzokora and Blessing Itai “CC Banks” Sithole in the two-day contest.
Attention now shifts to the Alex Classic Bodybuilding Show in Harare, set to feature a strong line-up of local and international athletes on December 12.
