Chido Kerina Maenzanise Clinches 9th Gold, Continues to Inspire as Africa’s Strongest Woman

Celebrated Zimbabwean power-lifting champion Chido Kerina Maenzanise has once again proven her dominance on the continental stage by successfully defending her Africa Strong Woman title, earning her ninth gold medal and marking her 26th career accolade. The powerful performance took place during the NMI Customer Day competition on July 5 in Durban, South Africa.

Maenzanise, known for her unrelenting drive and sheer physical strength, competed in a gruelling series of events including maximum dead lifting, truck pull, sandbag loading, and the demanding yoke and farmers medley. True to form, she powered through each event with determination and grace, outclassing her opponents and making Zimbabwe proud.

Despite the intensity of the competition, the powerlifting queen is already back in training, preparing for the upcoming Africa Strong Woman/Man Championships set to take place in Zambia from July 31 to August 4. As she gears up for the continental showdown, Maenzanise is calling on well-wishers, brands, and sponsors to support her with approximately US$6,000 in funding to cover her residency and participation costs.

Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style after her Durban triumph, Maenzanise expressed deep gratitude for the support she received, and optimism for the competition ahead. “Thank you for your overwhelming support during and after the NMI Customer Day, Africa Strong Man/Woman Competition in Durban. I am happy with bringing home the gold medal and am looking forward to another impressive finish in Zambia,” she said.

She acknowledged the high level of competition in South Africa, noting, “The South Africans worked hard to impress the judges, but I outperformed them in the truck pulls and yokes to bring back the gold medal to Zimbabwe.”

Maenzanise also credited her two coaches, Black Moses from Zimbabwe and Coach Shane from the United States, for refining her skills and preparing her for these top-level events.

Her journey to strength and stardom began in 2016 when she took up morning runs for fitness. Introduced to Black Moses Academy by a friend, she was initially met with ridicule in the male-dominated gym environment, which led her to quit temporarily. But her passion remained undeterred. She returned in 2021 to compete in Zimbabwe’s Strong Woman Competition, setting in motion an inspiring rise to the top of Africa’s strength sports.

Nicknamed Chivhindikiti—a Shona term for a robust, energetic person—since her teenage years, Maenzanise has turned what was once a playful jab into a badge of honour. Since 2022 alone, she has won 26 medals in power-lifting, with nine of them gold.

A vocal advocate for women in fitness, Maenzanise urges women across Zimbabwe and Africa to embrace strength training—not only to improve physical health but to shatter societal stereotypes and unlock their full potential. “Fitness is not just about lifting weights or building muscle,” she said. “It is about building confidence, challenging gender stereotypes, and proving to ourselves that we can thrive in spaces traditionally dominated by men. Every woman deserves to feel strong inside and out.”

As she sets her sights on Zambia, Chido Kerina Maenzanise is not just lifting weights—she’s lifting a generation. Her journey from a determined young woman to the reigning queen of African power-lifting is a story of perseverance, empowerment, and breaking boundaries. Her legacy continues to grow, and with each victory, she inspires more women to believe in their own strength—both on the platform and in life.