Bikinis bodies beautiful et al
The International Federation of Bodybuilding continued with provincial championships this week and Cape Town’s His People Centre was the venue for the Western Cape Championships, which saw some 62 primed bodybuilding and fitness athletes compete across 13 divisions.
The 2 000-seat venue was crammed to capacity with spectators, fans, journalists and international guests as the athletes completed their routines to some high-powered music.
IFBB SA president Gavin Conlon took full advantage of the event to announce that SASCOC had finally recognised bodybuilding as a national sport – this meant that athletes representing the country at international bodybuilding competitions would receive their South African colours – and it received a rousing round of applause from the enthusiastic crowd.
As usual with these competitions, the judging takes place during the day, so the athletes are free to entertain the crowd with their routines without worrying about being judged.
One of the surprise guests was USA Mr Olympia competitor Toney “The X-man” Freeman. This giant of a man who turns 45 this week showed local aspiring athletes just what hard work and dedication to the sport can yield. Freeman also got a glimpse of the best South Africa has to offer when Durban local and Tampa Pro winner Marius Dohne joined him on stage to demonstrate the seven compulsory bodybuilding poses, much to the delight of the capacity crowd.
Down to the pose routines and among the standout competitors was 21-year-old Loytan Fortuin, the youngest member of the development organisation “the HOPE Squad”.
Being confined to a wheelchair didn’t deter Carl Greyling, Glenn Ward and Ntsikelelo Mdalana, who gave the crowd a great display and did themselves proud.
Known to Capetonians as “The Legend”, 53-year-old Nelson Benjamin, who has been competing since 1978, won the over-40 division convincingly.
In the Senior Middleweight division, Michael Adonis lived up to his namesake by winning the division.
Pride of the night was the Heavyweight division, with two of the province’s top athletes, Bertus Albertse and Unathi Fabe, going head-to-head, with the 26-year-old Fabe taking first place along with the Overall title.
The oldest competitor on the night was 66-year-old Gerald Hunter, while the beautiful Tanya Swart was the youngest at just 17.
41 of the provinces top athletes were chosen to represent the Western Cape at the SA Nationals to be held at the same venue in a fortnight. — David Blood, SportsCentral