Toned bodies chase Classic title

Southern Africa OR Tambo competition promises the best from across the continent in chase for glory

The third annual Southern Africa O R Tambo Bodybuilding Classic is set to attract top athletes from the continent to the Unitra campus at Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha on October 20.

As part of O R Tambo Month celebrations, K M Sports, together with the provincial department of sports and recreation, O R Tambo District Municipality and Walter Sisulu University are preparing to host this annual bodybuilding extravaganza.

“We also want to contribute towards sport tourism in the O R Tambo area, and even in previous years the event was able to draw athletes as far as Zambia, Uganda and even Mozambique,” said K M Sports founder Kaya Majeke. “Even this year we are still expecting athletes from the SADC region (Southern African Development Community) to grace the event.

“And we also expect top athletes from various provinces from around the country such as Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZuluNatal. “We also expect athletes from rural areas in the O R Tambo area and even Mr O R Tambo comes from the rural areas through this platform.

“He also went as far as to feature at the national championships and I think he came second,” said Majeke.

The former bodybuilder said the fitness show would host two programmes at this year’s event – the bodybuilding show and an aerobics marathon.

“The programme of the health and fitness part will be dedicated to the 100 year centenary of Mama [Nontsikelelo Albertina] Sisulu.”

Majeke said the overall grand prize would be R25,000, the second prize R15,000 and the third place prize would be R10,000.

“All divisions will receive prize monies, and there’s big prizes to be won in the aerobics marathon as well, with medals, trophies and hampers.

“And also Louis Bessinger, former Mr South Africa, who was the overall winner of this competition in 2015 is coming back to compete.”

The registration fee for the bodybuilding contest is R650. Tickets will be sold at R150 and R250 for the VIP tickets at the venue.

Picture: LULAMILE FENI COMEBACK: Body builder Louis Bessinger, who is the former Mr South Africa and the overall winner of the 2015 Southern Africa Body Building Classic, poses with sports, arts and culture provincial director Bafundi Makubalo and K M Sports executive director Kaya Majeke.