Mr Malawi runner-up Yasin Ichocho Suwedi used K100 000 (about $250) from his K300 000 (about $750) donation from business tycoon Ali Paseli last week to organise a Mr. Ndirande contest for up-and-coming bodybuilders at Paseli Hall in Ndirande Township, Blantyre.
The 27-year-old said he thought of organising the event on New Year’s Day to motivate and attract youngsters into the sport as well as celebrate his winning of the second position during the recent national contest on his first appearance.
“I love the sport wholeheartedly and I want to contribute to its development. As well-wishers such as Paseli, GPY Investment’s George Yiannakis and CoM Sports Complex help me with financial and material support, I thought it wise to help others to realise their potential in the sport,” said Suwedi.
Not surprising, it was Suwedi’s trainees at Ichocho Heavyweight Gym that dominated the top-four slots in the contest that attracted 18 contestants from around the township.
Former Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Association of Malawi (Wbam) president Charles Ulaya and College of Medicine (CoM) Sports Complex Gym instructor Charles Kachipande were the judges at the event.
Eighteen-year-old Emmanuel Muhuwa took the crown and K20 000 winner’s purse while Moses Chavula, 22, (not the footballer), Solomon Manthenga,21, and Samson Kelvin, 18, took second, third and fourth positions and received K10 000, K7 500 and K4 000 respectively.
Muhuwa said he is appreciative of what Ichocho is doing to motivate young athletes. He promised to pay back the good gesture by at least bringing to Blantyre a medal from the next Mr. Malawi contest.
