Wellington “Bulldozer” Mwangonde is refusing to let go of the “Mr Malawi” title, months after a new champion was crowned.
If you shoot a quick message to Wellington “Bulldozer” Mwangonde on WhatsApp, his automated reply boldly greets you with a familiar honor: “Thank you for contacting Mr Malawi…..”
Mwangonde, who scooped the prestigious prize in 2024, seems to be treating the crown like a lifetime achievement award. He has stubbornly avoided the word “former,” much to the disdain of the local muscle fraternity, especially since Frazier Zeka officially claimed the Mr Malawi throne for 2025.
But the powers that be are losing their patience. Speaking in an interview with Malawi24, Aaron Simwaka, the General Secretary of the Malawi Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (MBFA), served up a clear ultimatum wrapped in a compliment.
“For the sake of discipline, Mwangonde must follow protocol or risk being stripped of the title altogether,” Simwaka warned, noting that the Association wants him to update his handles to ‘Former Mr Malawi’ or ‘Mr Malawi 2024.’
However, Simwaka was quick to throw some shade-turned-praise the Bulldozer’s way, admitting that the ex-champ has been “playing a pivotal role in boosting the sport’s visibility.”
The chorus of “step aside” isn’t just coming from the boardroom, either. Yasin Suwedi, popularly known as ‘Ichocho’, a fierce competitor who has tasted the bitter pill of falling short of the number-one spot, also chimed in on the unfolding saga.
Echoing the MBFA’s sentiments, Ichocho advised Mwangonde to swallow his pride and tweak his social media content.
“Considering his elite international status, he should let the current Mr Malawi, Zeka, enjoy the reign to avoid confusion,” Ichocho noted.
The criticism wasn’t limited to fellow athletes, either. Social commentator and devoted fan Henry Ntontholi weighed in, calling the Bulldozer’s stance “sad and selfish,” and accusing him of undervaluing the existence of the legitimate 2025 champion, Frazier Zeka.
However, in a telephone interview from Germany, Mwangonde was quick to pour oil on troubled waters. He acknowledged that Zeka is indeed the current Mr. Malawi, explaining that omitting the term “former” was a calculated PR move.
The bodybuilding news cycle, he argued, had become as quiet as a library, and he simply wanted to spark some much-needed conversation.
“I fully respect and congratulate him. I won in 2024, and many people still know me by that achievement, just as past champions are often associated with their victories,” said Mwangonde, who boasts over seven international medals in the sport and did not participate in the 2025 Mr Malawi contest.
To the Bulldozer, the title is no longer a heavy crown to pass on, it is a megaphone he is using to broadcast the sport’s potential.
“My goal has never been to steal the current champion’s thunder, but rather to represent Malawi as an IFBB Pro and help grow the sport,” he added.
“People shouldn’t worry about me using the title. They will see some changes in my future posts.”
If you shoot a quick message to Wellington “Bulldozer” Mwangonde on WhatsApp, his automated reply boldly greets you with a familiar honor: “Thank you for contacting Mr Malawi…..”
Mwangonde, who scooped the prestigious prize in 2024, seems to be treating the crown like a lifetime achievement award. He has stubbornly avoided the word “former,” much to the disdain of the local muscle fraternity, especially since Frazier Zeka officially claimed the Mr Malawi throne for 2025.
But the powers that be are losing their patience. Speaking in an interview with Malawi24, Aaron Simwaka, the General Secretary of the Malawi Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (MBFA), served up a clear ultimatum wrapped in a compliment.
“For the sake of discipline, Mwangonde must follow protocol or risk being stripped of the title altogether,” Simwaka warned, noting that the Association wants him to update his handles to ‘Former Mr Malawi’ or ‘Mr Malawi 2024.’
However, Simwaka was quick to throw some shade-turned-praise the Bulldozer’s way, admitting that the ex-champ has been “playing a pivotal role in boosting the sport’s visibility.”
The chorus of “step aside” isn’t just coming from the boardroom, either. Yasin Suwedi, popularly known as ‘Ichocho’, a fierce competitor who has tasted the bitter pill of falling short of the number-one spot, also chimed in on the unfolding saga.
Echoing the MBFA’s sentiments, Ichocho advised Mwangonde to swallow his pride and tweak his social media content.
“Considering his elite international status, he should let the current Mr Malawi, Zeka, enjoy the reign to avoid confusion,” Ichocho noted.
The criticism wasn’t limited to fellow athletes, either. Social commentator and devoted fan Henry Ntontholi weighed in, calling the Bulldozer’s stance “sad and selfish,” and accusing him of undervaluing the existence of the legitimate 2025 champion, Frazier Zeka.
However, in a telephone interview from Germany, Mwangonde was quick to pour oil on troubled waters. He acknowledged that Zeka is indeed the current Mr. Malawi, explaining that omitting the term “former” was a calculated PR move.
The bodybuilding news cycle, he argued, had become as quiet as a library, and he simply wanted to spark some much-needed conversation.
“I fully respect and congratulate him. I won in 2024, and many people still know me by that achievement, just as past champions are often associated with their victories,” said Mwangonde, who boasts over seven international medals in the sport and did not participate in the 2025 Mr Malawi contest.
To the Bulldozer, the title is no longer a heavy crown to pass on, it is a megaphone he is using to broadcast the sport’s potential.
“My goal has never been to steal the current champion’s thunder, but rather to represent Malawi as an IFBB Pro and help grow the sport,” he added.
“People shouldn’t worry about me using the title. They will see some changes in my future posts.”
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