MARK Anthony Vasssilatos called time on his bodybuilding career after bagging the Mr Zimbabwe title at 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale on Saturday night.
Vassilatos set himself for the overall title after winning the Senior Men Bodybuilding over 85kgs, accounting for Noah Dzvokora and reigning Mr Ironman Gideon Teguru, whom he relegated to second and third place, respectively, to pocket US$500.
Borrowdale Pro Fitness Gym hulk Irvine Dekeya fell just shy of a podium finish into fourth place but was rewarded with US$200 for an outstanding pose of the night.
It was a tight duel between Vasssilatos and Edward Mutero, winner of the Senior Men Bodybuilding up to and including 85kgs, while Francis Tatanka Chideme, the Senior Men’s Bodybuilding up to and including 75kgs, probably chickened out of the overall lineup as he went awol.
After careful consideration, the big night reward fell on Vassilatos, who walked away with a purse of US$1500, making it US$2000 with the US$500 he won earlier in his category.
“I was a powerlifter and switched to bodybuilding in 2018. I got first in the event, but my goal was to win Mr Zimbabwe,” Vassilatos told reporters after the event.
“This year, I wasn’t really sure if I was going to compete until when I was about six, seven weeks out, my trainer Vincent Kandiyero pushed me so hard.”
The bar has to be raised so high when you have a former champion in the mould of “Vince Carter” as your trainer.
“This year was the hardest gym I have ever done; he helped me a lot, so I would like to say thanks to Vincent. This is it, and I’m done. I’m no more competing,” he said.
“When I got in this contest, I wasn’t really happy with what happened in Kadoma in June. I got beaten by guys whom I thought I was way better than but on the day they had beaten me, so coming to this show was to prove to myself that I could beat these guys, and that’s exactly what I did.”
The 2019 Mr Zim Heavyweights champion, Mr Pretoria Classic and Summer Bodies winner 2022 shed at least 30kgs on his way to becoming the 2022 Exodus and Company Zimbabwe National Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships winner.
“This was the hardest prep. I started my prep at 126kg. I started the diet about ten weeks off,” added Vasssilatos.
“Today (Saturday), I’m weighing 96kg; I came down from 126kg; yah, it’s a lot, 30kg to be in shape; it has been a challenging journey.
“I’m no longer competing in any show, and I’m done.”
The Men’s Physique Overall title went to David Weier, while Momathamsanga Phiri walked away with the Most Outstanding Female Athlete gong.
