FORMER Zimbabwe National Bodybuilding and Weightlifting Association president and ex Mr Zimbabwe bodybuilder George Takundwa is expected to be buried at his rural home in Chivhu this afternoon.

Takundwa (58) died at Parirenyatwa Hospital on Sunday after suffering a stroke, a week earlier.

The muscleman, who at the age of 26 years was crowned Mr Rhodesia when the sport was still white dominated, also held the post of Zimbabwe Weightlifting president at the time of his death.

His body was taken to his rural home at Nyawe Village in Nharira, Chivhu yesterday afternoon after lying in state at his Ashdown Park home the previous night.

Friends, relatives and colleagues gathered for a church service where they also paid their respects to the late legendary former bodybuilder in Harare yesterday.

George Master, who trained with Takundwa and worked closely with him, said all was in order for their friend to be taken to his final resting place. Several people will leave for Chivhu this afternoon (yesterday) and we are happy for the support we received from all those who helped us through these trying times.

"We will be with him until his final destination as he was a role model and no one has managed to reach his levels.

"We will sit down as a body and find what we can do about him. He did a lot for the sport and his legacy can not be overlooked," Master said.