A four-week grind paid off for Hastings Kaphwiti, but the 24-year-old bodybuilder never expected his name to be called when the biggest prize of the night was decided.
Kaphwiti stunned the field on Saturday to become the first Mr Lilongwe champion, walking away with K330,000 after winning the Men’s Open category at Kamuzu Institute for Sports.
Kaphwiti, who took up the sport in 2023, said he never anticipated victory when his name was announced at the event organized by the Bodybuilding and Fitness Association of Malawi (BFAM)..
“I was shocked, I didn’t expect to win the show, and by then I didn’t know what to do, it was overwhelming,” he told Malawi24.
The newly crowned champion credited his triumph to a rigorous four-week preparation regime built on intense dieting, disciplined training and adequate rest. He said financing his strict nutrition plan was his greatest hurdle, but his faith carried him through.
Kaphwiti traced his passion for bodybuilding to years of following the sport on his phone, before a friend introduced him to Ex-Mr Malawi Wellington Mwangonde, who has since become his greatest source of motivation.
With the Lilongwe title secured, Kaphwiti has already set his sights on a bigger stage, naming Mr Malawi as his next target.
Even as he celebrates, the champion encouraged young people dreaming of following in his footsteps.
“Believe in your dreams, even when no one else does. No matter how long it takes, if you keep pushing, one day it will manifest,” he said.
BFAM General Secretary Aaron Simwaka congratulated Kaphwiti and confirmed the prize money for the winners.
“This is our first time hosting the Mr Lilongwe competition, and it has been a long-time wish, but financial obstacles have held us back. Thank God we have started from humble beginnings,” Simwaka said.
He said BFAM intends to extend the competition to other districts to unearth bodybuilders from the grassroots level.
“By doing this, we will then have regional competitions,” he stated.
Simwaka also revealed that internationally acclaimed Malawian bodybuilder currently in Germany Wellington “Bulldozer” Mwangonde was spotted at the district-level Mr Karonga contest, where he was crowned champion.
He urged organizations, individuals and other stakeholders to support the growth of bodybuilding in Malawi.
This year’s contest attracted 22 athletes across three categories, with Wisdom Chiphwanya’s display among the highlights after winning the Juniors crown and returning to finish runner-up in the Men’s Open.
Final Standings
Juniors
Wisdom Chiphwanya – K180,000
Henry Banda – K120,000
Clement – K80,000
Men’s Physique
Loka Lanjesi – K200,000
Blessings Ojego – K120,000
Simeon Siyeni – K80,000
Men’s Open
Hastings Kaphwiti – K330,000
Wisdom Chiphwanya – K200,000
Nathan Ngondoma – K150,000
Kaphwiti stunned the field on Saturday to become the first Mr Lilongwe champion, walking away with K330,000 after winning the Men’s Open category at Kamuzu Institute for Sports.
Kaphwiti, who took up the sport in 2023, said he never anticipated victory when his name was announced at the event organized by the Bodybuilding and Fitness Association of Malawi (BFAM)..
“I was shocked, I didn’t expect to win the show, and by then I didn’t know what to do, it was overwhelming,” he told Malawi24.
The newly crowned champion credited his triumph to a rigorous four-week preparation regime built on intense dieting, disciplined training and adequate rest. He said financing his strict nutrition plan was his greatest hurdle, but his faith carried him through.
Kaphwiti traced his passion for bodybuilding to years of following the sport on his phone, before a friend introduced him to Ex-Mr Malawi Wellington Mwangonde, who has since become his greatest source of motivation.
With the Lilongwe title secured, Kaphwiti has already set his sights on a bigger stage, naming Mr Malawi as his next target.
Even as he celebrates, the champion encouraged young people dreaming of following in his footsteps.
“Believe in your dreams, even when no one else does. No matter how long it takes, if you keep pushing, one day it will manifest,” he said.
BFAM General Secretary Aaron Simwaka congratulated Kaphwiti and confirmed the prize money for the winners.
“This is our first time hosting the Mr Lilongwe competition, and it has been a long-time wish, but financial obstacles have held us back. Thank God we have started from humble beginnings,” Simwaka said.
He said BFAM intends to extend the competition to other districts to unearth bodybuilders from the grassroots level.
“By doing this, we will then have regional competitions,” he stated.
Simwaka also revealed that internationally acclaimed Malawian bodybuilder currently in Germany Wellington “Bulldozer” Mwangonde was spotted at the district-level Mr Karonga contest, where he was crowned champion.
He urged organizations, individuals and other stakeholders to support the growth of bodybuilding in Malawi.
This year’s contest attracted 22 athletes across three categories, with Wisdom Chiphwanya’s display among the highlights after winning the Juniors crown and returning to finish runner-up in the Men’s Open.
Final Standings
Juniors
Wisdom Chiphwanya – K180,000
Henry Banda – K120,000
Clement – K80,000
Men’s Physique
Loka Lanjesi – K200,000
Blessings Ojego – K120,000
Simeon Siyeni – K80,000
Men’s Open
Hastings Kaphwiti – K330,000
Wisdom Chiphwanya – K200,000
Nathan Ngondoma – K150,000
