Sports Reporter
MISS Zimbabwe Novice and Miss Bulawayo bodybuilder Shantel Bhatch left the country yesterday to compete in the Mr and Miss South Africa Fitness pageant at the Cape Town Intenational Convention Centre on Friday.Bhatch, who trains at Bodyworks Gym in Bulawayo, emerged as runner-up in the Miss Ironman Zimbabwe a week ago and has been invited to compete in the fitness figure category in Cape Town.
“I’ve never competed in such an event before, but I hope to win. I hope to put up a good fight in the competition even though I’m going there as a novice. I’ve faith in myself,” said Bhatch.
She said previous competitions she had taken part in had prepared her to face the best and most experienced fitness participants.
Bhatch becomes the first female Zimbabwe bodybuilder and fitness trainer to officially participate in an international competition. She only took up bodybuilding and fitness in January this year, but has already taken national competitions by storm.
Bhatch’s coach and veteran bodybuilder Simon Gama will accompany her to South Africa.
“We’re happy as the Bodyworks family to have a representative in such a prestigious event. We hope to make a good appearance and have a competitive showing as well by flying the national flag high,” said Gama.
“Shantel is a hardworking person who has shown a lot of energy with the way she has been participating in tournaments. She has also progressed in fitness competitions and has prepared well for this competition. We hope she’ll make us proud as a team. We’re grateful to our sponsors for funding our travels to various competitions, including the South African event this Friday,” he said.
Lazarus Shereni and Givemore Marufu, who were supposed to travel with Bhatch to compete in the Mr South Africa Fitness men’s event, will miss out. Shereni was injured in a car accident and Marufu is in hospital with an undisclosed ailment.
The top 10 in the Cape Town event will take part in the Miami pageant in the US later this year.