Home Sports UNVEILING | Meet Kizito Mubarak The Unsung Bodybuilding Champion

UNVEILING | Meet Kizito Mubarak The Unsung Bodybuilding Champion

Sporting wise Uganda is blessed with enormous talent in all sports disciplines.

Some of our talented athletes have managed to go professional while others are busy working tirelessly to leave the armature level in an effort to get recognized on the world stage.

We caught up with heavyweight lifter and bodybuilding athlete who is known as Kizito Mubarak as he shared with us his upbringing story and life as an athlete. Below is our interview with him.

Who are you?

I’m Mubarak Kizito, a bodybuilder. I was born to the late Kamadi Namwanja and Rose Nakawesi of Kasawo. I grew up in Kabalagala.

You did not tell me about your marital status.

Hmm, I have children and I can neither confirm nor deny being in a relationship.

How did you join bodybuilding?

When I lived in Kawempe (another Kampala suburb), I used to admire the likes of Ibrahim Ssebatta and David Zziwa, who were very good at the sport. In 2006, I tried to compete in Mr. Kawempe tournament but people just laughed me off the stage in the preliminaries. I was so small.

What have you achieved, so far?

I’m now a great bodybuilder who has not only won national events but also international medals for my country. On my first international appearance at the World Championships in Dubai in 2015, I won two gold medals: one from my category of Short Men, and the other as the overall winner among all Novices.

Should I say that was your greatest achievement, ever?

It was great but I think the silver medal I won in Hungary in the 2016 World Championships is the best. I got it after stiff competition from seasoned athletes like my colleague Ivan Byekwaso, and others. Oh, how I cherish it.

What’s your winning formula?

I cannot tell, I do the same training as others and I share tips with colleagues, but we have different bodies. Maybe I’m just naturally gifted. For example, my back is naturally unique which gives me an advantage.

What is the most challenging moment in your career?

Preparing for a big tournament. Normally, it takes about four months but due to financial limitations, I squeeze it into 10 weeks.
But that means intensive training and dieting. I train at least twice a day, and eat a lot. I eat at least six times a day, which costs me about Shs100,000.

I eat non-appetising foods to cut the fat, sugar and salt. Foods like plain oats, brown rice, vegetables without salt, and a lot of water. I also abstain from sex. During that time, anything small makes me annoyed. Towards the tournament, you only drink 500ml for two days—you don’t want to sweat on stage.

How then do you balance the equation of a very expensive yet less rewarding sport?

It’s hard but a bit easier now than before. Friends and fans give me some money; I have free training offers at the best gyms in a town like Africana, Grand Global, G.G’s, and Nakivubo. Passion is the major driving force.

What else do you do for a living?

I’m a gym instructor and a personal trainer. I also deal in motor spare parts.

Don’t you get attracted to female clients training in compromising attire?

You just have to act professional, focus on your job and treat every client as such. Otherwise, how many are you going to date? And what shall they tell the other ladies about you?

Which other sports did you do before?

I tried basketball but my small size was a deterrent; my uncles inspired me into motocross but my dad discouraged me that it was a deadly sport. I admired and tried rugby, taekwondo, and wrestling, but I got busier with bodybuilding.

What don’t people like about you?

Keeping a low profile even when many think I’m a star. I can walk into any big hotel, greet those who care, do my business and leave without them noticing I was the one.

What is your ultimate dream?

First, is getting that pro card such that I can earn from the sport and having a multi-sport gym for all athletes in Uganda.

What is next on your agenda?

I’m training for two big events—the World Cup and Mr. Natural Universe both slated for November in the USA.

And your expectations?

I always target the greatest medal and that’s what I’m going for.

What has been your worst memory yet?

That was when we got stranded and slept on the street in Nairobi. I had won a minor trophy in the 2010 FEM Championships, but our colleague who was coordinating our transport short-changed us.
Instead of booking return bus tickets, he had only paid for one trip to Nairobi and he disappeared after the event. I only had Shs10,000. The four of us slept on the streets as we waited for assistance from Uganda.

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