Zimbabwe’s Strongest Man, Mr. Mart, Appeals for Financial Aid to Compete in Iran

By Desire Tshuma

Harare, Zimbabwe – Jonathan “Mr. Mat” Muvingi, Zimbabwe’s strongest man, is urgently seeking financial support to represent the country in an international sports competition in Iran.

The strongman, famous for his incredible feats of strength, including pulling a 56-tonne train wagon, is struggling to raise funds for travel and accommodation expenses. Despite his rigorous training, Mr. Mat’s participation in the event hangs in the balance.

“I am humbly appealing to well-wishers, sponsors, and anyone who believes in me to help me make this dream a reality,” Mr. Mat said in an interview. “I want to showcase Zimbabwe’s strength on the global stage and bring pride to my country.”

The initiative of the International Kurash Association (IKA), the city of Bojnord, the center of North Khorasan Province of the Islamic Republic of Iran, will host the 15th World Kurash Seniors Championship from January 31 to February 5, 2026.

This prestigious competition, in addition to bringing together the world’s best Kurash players, will serve to further strengthen the international prestige of Kurash, develop sports diplomacy and cultural dialogue. The championship will also include a meeting of the IKA Directing Committee, the IKA Ordinary Congress, seminars for international referees and coaches, and anti-doping training sessions.

Registration will run from December 15, 2025 to January 10, 2026. The arrival deadline is on January 20, 2026.

Mr. Mat’s determination and passion for the sport are undeniable, but financial constraints are holding him back. With the right support, he can overcome this hurdle and achieve greatness.

If you’d like to support Mr. Mat, please contact him through his representatives or his personal contact +263718508704