Overall winner at EL event set for SA Champs
BODYBUILDING action got into full swing and lit up the night at the IFBB Buffalo City District Championships, held at the Guild Theatre on Saturday.
The best bodybuilding talent from across the region was on show as participants competed for top honours, as well as a place in the Eastern Cape team to take part in the South African Championships next month.
In the end it was Thulasizwe Sifatyi who beat a host of contenders to take the overall win on the night.
“This has been one of the best competitions we have held here in a long time,” said the chairman of Bodybuilding Buffalo City, Andrew Sokolich.
“We had six or seven guys who could have won it, so it was extremely tight.
“It was a fantastic event and the quality of athletes on show was of the highest calibre.”
Sifatyi is well known in the local bodybuilding scene, and is often among the top contenders at events. His win was well deserved, and he will be looking to take the momentum he has gained to the SA Champs.
“I was very excited; I worked so hard and sacrificed a lot, so I was very happy to get the win,” said Sifatyi.
“It was a tough competition. There were some very good athletes, but I just focused on myself; I didn’t worry about any of the other guys.
“I am now looking to go to the SA champs and be even better than I was at this event. I should win my category there, that is the plan now.
“I spoke to my coach and I just have to make a few adjustments to my training and eating plan over the next few weeks.”
Another major winner on the night was top local regular, Cindy Lee Dredge, who triumphed in the Ladies Fitness Bikini category.
In all over 50 athletes turned out for the championships.
“We had a significant number of entrants this year, which was great to see,” said Sokolich.
Divisional winners on the night were:
Teenagers 18 years and under – Francois Botha; Juniors U23 under 75kg – Makhelandile Mapapu; Juniors U23 over 75kg – Lusindiso Danster; Men’s Athletic Physique under 178cm – Landu Mtyia; Men’s Athletic Physique over 178cm – Mkuseli Kolawa; Masters over 40 years – Nonelelo Dom; Ladies Fitness Bikini U23 – Danca Casey; Ladies Beach Bikini – Esti Pretorius; Ladies Fitness Bikini – Cindy Lee Dredge; Ladies Body Fitness – Emma Tamsin Fraser; Women’s Physique – Nokucindga Mapekula; Flyweight under 60kg – Mayabo Mxakuveni; Bantamweight under 65kg – Sinalo Soci; Lightweight under 70kg – Thulasizwe Sifatyi; Welterweight under 75kg – Lwazi Buso; Light Middleweight under 90kg – Andile Marasi; Middleweight under 100kg – Abongile Bhele; Men’s Classic Bodybuilding – Adrian Labuschagne.