Nairn competitor aiming to become Scotland’s Strongest Man
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A Nairn weightlifter is aiming to become Scotland’s Strongest Man.
Zake Muluzi, known as The Malawian Monster, is preparing for an upcoming qualifier for the the competition in April.
Despite a disappointing performance at Britain’s Strongest Man at the end of January, Mr Muluzi is still confident that more time to prepare this time around will boost his chances of taking the Scottish title.
“I got the call for Britain’s Strongest Man while I was working in Spain for two weeks and I wasn’t able to train there,” he said.
“That left me only three weeks to train and I was going up against men who are at the top of their games.
“It’s frustrating looking back knowing I could have done better had I been ready, but what’s done is done.”
Of the Scotland’s Strongest Man competition, he said: “I placed second there last year because of one bad event, so this year I’m obviously aiming for first place.
“I’ve been on the podium whenever I’ve competed there, so I should do well.”
His ultimate goal is to get back to competing in the World’s Strongest Man competition which he was able to participate in back in 2019.
“This was an event where again I was unprepared for it since it was a sudden call to tell me I could compete, but if you get an opportunity like that you don’t pass it up,” he said.
“I didn’t place well but I was going up against some of the best like Hafthor Bjornsson who was the then current World’s Strongest Man, and Luke Stoltman who was the then current Scotland’s Strongest Man.
“Being able to compete there was such an incredible experience and so much fun.”
Mr Muluzi started his strongman journey after graduating from university, signing up to Gym 300 to keep up his fitness training.
It was there that he met a number of seasoned strongman competitors who encouraged him to get started on the circuit.
They even signed him up for Scotland’s Strongest Man in 2015 with just two weeks’ notice, for what would be his first time ever competing.
“I honestly didn’t even realise I was strong enough to be at that level; I just thought it would be a bit of fun and I could get a look at what strongman was about,” he said.
“I placed third and knew I just had to keep going with it.”
He would also like to encourage people to get started on their own fitness journey.
“Just join your local gym,” he said. “You meet the friendliest people there and if you want to get involved with strongman or powerlifting ask the gym about it.
“They’ll be happy to show you the way and get started.
“For anyone worried about the gym, remember: no one there is going to judge you.
“Every person there is trying to work on themselves, so the only thing you’ll get from people is encouragement.”
