Malawian bodybuilder based in Germany Wellington Mwangonde has reached the epitome of his career after making it to Pro Card when he won Mr Olympia in Portugal.
His feat won him acclaim as he will not compete in the global elite competitions.
Former Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Association of Malawi, Charles Uluya who polularised weightlifting and bodybuilding races through Uluya Classic contests, said this is no mean achievement.
Said Ulaya: “In bodybuilding, the prestigious competition that all bodybuilders desire to compete is Mr Olympia which takes place in the US. This is the creme-de-creme of bodybuilding competition like in football we talk of the World Cup.
“For you to qualify for this prestigious bodybuilding competition, there are qualifiers. In the case of Wellington, who is currently based in Germany, was the overall winner in his category and qualified as Amateur Pro Card. This means that he will now be able to compete in the Mr Olympia competitions.”
In an interview, Mwangonde said: “It is a huge milestone and humbling moment in my journey. It represents not only the years of hard work, sacrifice and consistency I have put in but also the support system around me, from my coach Edge Kisler and Team Engel Nutrition to my wife, family and all those who believed in me.”
Mwangonde said the victory has opened up doors for him to compete at high level.
“This victory is just the beginning. I’m now setting my sights on bigger international stages. The goal is to step into more prestigious competitions, earn more big titles and eventually compete among the best in the world,” he said.
Mwangonde also said he was optimistic to attract big sponsorship.
“In terms of endorsements and sponsorships, this win significantly raises my profile. It opens doors for partnerships with brands that align with my values, hard work, discipline and authenticity. I believe companies will now see the value in working with an athlete who is not only a champion but also a dedicated ambassador for the sport.”
