By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
TOP muscleman Sylvester Mwila has pulled out of the 2015 Independence Bodybuilding championship billed for Chingola Arts Centre tomorrow.
Zambia Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (ZBBFF) vice president Brown Ng’ambi disclosed in an interview that the reigning Mr Zambia has withdrawn from the contest in a bid to promote competition amongst other contestants.
With Mwila out of the limelight, holder Honest Muyupi will be in a pole position to retain his title.
Ng’ambi said Mwila, who missed out on the inaugural competition last year, was currently unbeatable on the local scene and that, taking part in competitions such as the Mr Independence would deny others an opportunity to flourish.
“At the moment, no one in the country is capable of beating Mwila and so we thought it was not prudent for him to compete in this (Independence) tournament so that the progress of others can be seen. Otherwise, he would be an indisputable winner if he participates,” Ng’ambi said.
He said the federation was looking at the possibility of entering Mwila for the 2016 Hungary championship but that, he will defend his national title.
Ng’ambi said despite Mwila failing to defend his Southern African title in South Africa at the weekend where he finished second, he was one of the best bodybuilders on the continent capable of competing beyond Africa.
“Withdrawing from this competition does not mean he will not defend his Mr Zambia title in December. He will compete,” he said.
Meanwhile, Muyupi has fired warning shots ahead of tomorrow’s contest saying the Independence title will not leave Ndola.
Muyupi who was saddened by Mwila’s pulling out, said he would have wanted to measure his progress by competing against him.
“I will not allow anyone to take this title away from the Copperbelt, I have prepared adequately for the competition and I think my challengers will have an uphill battle to beat me,” Muyupi said.