Raring to go
Fifteen bodybuilders for national champs
Fifteen primed physiques have been invited by the Eastern Province arm of Bodybuilding SA to attend the national championships to be held in Rustenburg next month.
Athletes from across Nelson Mandela Bay put their physiques on show in the Friendly City Provincial Championship at the weekend with an eye on representing the province at the national showpiece from September 13-16.
Tino Mafuta, who took second place in the classic bodybuilding up to 175cm lineup, said he was happy with the result, but accepted that the hard work preparing for the nationals started now.
“The work is not done. My focus was already on preparing for nationals. My goal was to be better than last year, as I placed third at nationals.
“My goal is to be a winner. I know what needs to be done and it won’t limit me,” he said.
Mafuta said preparation had been going well despite his not having sponsors.
He spends most of his money on the right nutrition, but believes that with hard work and dedication, anything can be achieved.
Mafuta, who competed at the SA Xtreme Championships in Pretoria earlier this year, gained qualification for the nationals after winning in both his lineup and overall.
Mafuta said his preparations for the nationals started on Monday and he would be focusing on adding a little size, in addition to cutting down as much body fat as possible.
BBSA EP chairman Angus Venter said a total of 12 lineups were contested at the event held at Nelson Mandela University’s north campus on Saturday evening.
Athletes who received invitations to the EP team were the cream of the crop.
“Last year, 23 athletes were invited, but only 17 athletes made the trip, so we are doing things differently this year.
“The 15 athletes invited this time around have been given a week to decide and chat to their families about the possibilities of competing,” he said.
Venter said: “All other competitions leading up to the provincial championships were basically preparation events for this one.”
Venter said an added incentive for athletes was that 10 IFBB Pro Elite Cards would be given to the overall winners across certain divisions.