German-based Malawian bodybuilder Wellington Mwangonde has enhanced his credentials to vie for the coveted Mr Olympia after he secured a Pro Card in Lisbon, Portugal.
The National Bodybuilding Champion, formerly known as Mr Malawi, earned a Pro Card with the National Physique Committee, giving him an opportunity to vie for the world’s top most accolade—Mr Olympia title.
Over the weekend, Mwangonde took part in two Pro Amateur Olympia Qualifying shows in Lisbon.
On Saturday, to earn a Pro Card, Mwangonde competed in Classic Physique category, and he emerged winner of Class A Division, which had nine athletes.
Mwangonde then underlined his class in the next step which attracted winners from classes, B, C and D, to emerge overall winner to qualify for the card.
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“I am thrilled that in the overall classes I became the overall winner. So I got a Pro Card. I am now a professional bodybuilder in the world. You know it has been a dream from far to become a professional bodybuilder,” he said.
He also clarified that the current Pro Card would help him compete in reputable shows.
“So last year I got a Pro Card from elite but now we got a Pro Card from NPC—which is the best federation in the world allowing me to compete in top tournaments and vie for Mr Olympia too,” Mwangonde said.
During Sunday’s event, Mwangonde ended in eighth position out of 20 participants.
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Meanwhile, Mwangonde has called for support to realise his Mr Olympia dream.
“This Pro Card is the key to pro shows. If I qualify for that I show it means I can go direct to Mister Olympia. It is time for us [camp] to corporate and do collaborations with companies that we can go to Olympia at any time.
“We need to do partnerships or sponsorships with companies because going for Mr Olympia you need to do much work. You need to work hard. You need to do a lot of stuff. We are looking forward to companies that we can do partnerships with,” he said.
