Bodybuilders set to do Bay proud on national stage

Nelson Mandela Bay bodybuilders are gearing up for the International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB) SA National Championships.

The Emerald Resort and Casino in Vanderbijlpark will host the September 13-15 show, which will see the country’s most toned physiques take to the stage in search of national colours.

The team of 17 athletes, of whom only 14 have confirmed their attendance so far, was selected following the Eastern Province Championships at Nelson Mandela University at the weekend.

IFBB Nelson Mandela Bay chair Louisa Bezuidenhout said fewer athletes competed at the EP event in 2019, but there was no shortage of talent.

“There was a bit of a dip if we look at the number of athletes at shows for previous years,” she said.

“We had about 30 athletes competing at the weekend, which is less than before, but there were some good-quality athletes on show.

“So to choose 17 athletes is quite a massive team for a small province.”

Bezuidenhout said she believed the Nelson Mandela Bay team had the ability to do well at the nationals because several of its athletes had tasted success in previous years.

“Generally we do well at nationals, compared to other provinces who can take larger teams,” she said.

“We walk away with SA winners.

“I have a feeling we have a few athletes in our team who have the ability to do well.

“Supporting them plays a big role because they are going to represent their region on a national stage, which is a massive privilege for any athlete,” Bezuidenhout said.

She said the growth of the sport was not what the federation had envisaged, but this did not take away from the dedication and talent displayed by all the athletes who represented the region.

“The sport down here is not as well supported as it is in other provinces.

“People are reluctant to assist in growing a sport which consists of almost 90% of developmental athletes.

“I think it is quite sad,” she said.

“We cannot expect athletes from the townships to be able to come up with all this money.

“It’s really stressful because they are such good athletes and they do so much with the little they have.

“I think that is why some of us stay with the sport – because they inspire us.” Confirmed NMB squad

Geraldine van Vuuren; Marina Murray; Elmarie Kolver; Monique van Driel; Cheslin Gallant; Abongile Mgcipe; Abonga Jibilili; Royston Johannes; Danielle Jansen; Megan Spinks; Denton Goodford; Louis Greyling; Ian Clements; Ki-Yano Chér Schoonraad.