Ready for world champs
Will power and hard work are paying off for a Kawakawa mother and daughter duo that are achieving great results on the bodybuilding stage.
At the recent INBA Auckland Natural Classic Litsa Orevich came away with first place in the open fitness model category while her mum Cathy placed third in the figure/body sculpting section.
These results have qualified them to compete at the world championships next year, which they hope to attend.
Litsa is in her second year of competition and was inspired by Cathy who has been involved for the last 15 years.
‘‘It has been the hardest thing to do mentally,’’ Litsa says.
‘‘I’ve never really liked chocolate but when I am preparing for a competition and not allowed to eat it, it’s all I want.’’
The healthy eating and training is all worth it when you are on stage, she says.
Litsa placed first in her debut competition in Taupo last year.
The fitness model category requires people to ‘‘look fit,’’ she says, whereas her mother’s figure category requires more muscle mass.
Litsa works with a nutritionist and a trainer to be stage-ready in a bikini. They both train around five to six times a week.
‘‘It can be nerve wracking competing and the first few times posing I thought I looked like a dork.
‘‘But you are showing off what you have worked so hard to do.’’
Cathy first started competing in the over 35 section and has gone on to take part in events in Australia.
The bodybuilding community is small and they are often challenging the same people at each event, Cathy says.
‘‘It is a very friendly environment and you make some phenomenal friends.
‘‘It’s really cool that Litsa is involved and a group of us all cried when she did so well at her first event. ‘‘We are all a big family.’’ Cathy says it is important to the pair that they compete in competitions run by drug-free associations.
The INBA association, that hosted the pair’s most recent competition, is a natural bodybuilding association.