Obituary: George Takundwa, what a great man he was

Sport
The nation recently lost George Takundwa, a dedicated man in the sport of bodybuilding and fitness in Zimbabwe.

The nation recently lost George Takundwa, a dedicated man in the sport of bodybuilding and fitness in Zimbabwe.

BY OTIS GOREDEMA

Takundwa succumbed to a stroke late December last year and passed away on January 6 in Harare. He was 58 at the time of his death. He was buried at Nharira in Chivhu on January 9.

He survived by his wife Irene, three children, Keith, Innocent, Linda and five grandchildren.

Although he worked for the City of Harare Health Department for over 35 years, most will remember him for his contribution to the bodybuilding and fitness sport in Zimbabwe.

He began his sporting career in 1972. Through a successful career in this sport, Takundwa prospered to be a seven-time Mr Ironman and five-time Mr Rhodesia titles holder. Takundwa competed in the Mr Universe in South Africa in 1980 and the World Championships held in Egypt in 1982.

Following his retirement from the stage, he continued to serve the sport in an administrative capacity.

George took over the Zimbabwe National Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association (ZNBBWA) and further qualified as an International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB) judge.

He groomed many athletes.

With the help of his ZNBBWA deputy, Kays Rushike, Takundwa held many successful events like Mr Novice, Mr Ironman and Mr Zimbabwe contests for young athletes for many years.

In 2008, when the Sports Commission separated bodybuilding from weightlifting, Takundwa took on the weightlifting portfolio and formed the Zimbabwe Weightlifting Association (ZWA) with Otis Goredema as his deputy.

The man was distinguished as a great motivator and administrator. He could work under pressure and was able to improvise even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Takundwa was a God-fearing and religious man who was dedicated to his faith and his family.

May his soul rest in peace.

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