Kajamu wins Ulayaclassics bodybuilding title
Kenya-based Malawian student Chisomo Kajamu on Saturday became the inaugural Ulayaclassics Bodybuilding Tournament champion that was graced by Vice-President Saulos Chilima at Bingu International Conference Centre (Bicc) in Lilongwe.
The 22-year-old came specifically to compete at the championship which former Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association of Malawi president Charles Ulaya organised, partly to inspire a spirit of healthy living among Malawians through exercising.
When chief judge Lameck Kalenga declared him the winner after nearly an hour of showcasing the steel body muscles, Kajamu broke into tears of joy. He will receive K1 million for his feat.
“I am overwhelmed with joy because I have been waiting for this day. I have invested time and money to look like this and to come here and compete,” said Kajamu who is studying Business Administration at Day Star University.
Emmanuel Muhuwa came second while Henry Master—a fans’ favourite who was cheered at every flex of his muscle and former Mr. Malawi title holder—finished third.
Zimbabwean Zimaiter Mamami Phiri came fourth while Patrick Mhango finished fifth.
The other big name contestants were last year’s Mr. Malawi champion Brown Gondwe and the 2013 Mr Malawi runner-up Yasin ‘Ichocho’ Suwedi. They fell short and dropped along the way.
Speaking before the final contest, Chilima said he believes that to build a strong nation, Malawians must adopt exercising, hence his support towards the event.
“Big things start small. This event might be looked at as a small thing, but give it three years; it will not be the same. It has the potential to become a big thing. I thank Mr. Charles Ulaya for this initiative because it will inspire the exercising spirit in the country,” he said.
On his part, Ulaya, while describing the event as successful, hoped to make the competition an annual event.
“I am happy that the idea I had hatched has become a reality. I think that from here, Malawians will be motivated to live a healthy life through physical exercises,” he said.
Some individuals were also recognised for their breakthrough in their exercising. They included Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya who heeded to Ulaya Classics Facebook nomination to post a video of his work-outs.
Another awardee was Kondaine Kaliwo, who last month climbed Kilimanjaro Mountain, the tallest in Africa.
The Ulayaclassics Bodybuilding contest started on Saturday morning with 34 contestants vying for the title. Sixteen made it to the finals. n
