A feast of bodybuilding action was enjoyed by a bustling crowd as the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic Africa qualifier was held at the Venue at Hemingways Mall on Saturday night.
Although not packed to capacity, a healthy and vocal crowd turned out to see some of the country’s finest bodybuilders attempting to qualify for the main All Africa Arnold Classic event to take place in May.
With a large Eastern Cape contingent taking part it was no surprise when most of the winners of the various categories were local. However, the main winner on the night ended up being Mbu Green from KwaZulu-Natal, who, along with claiming first place in the Senior Men’s Up To 90kg division, also won the overall bodybuilder of the competition award.
“He was the best on the night, but it was really close with quite a few of the athletes in with a chance at the end there,” said event organiser and vice-president of Bodybuilding South Africa, Khaya Majeke. “But he is a worthy winner and he will be expected to do very well at the main All Africa Arnold Classic.”
More than 80 bodybuilders participated in the event, with 16 divisions being voted on.
It was a good night for local athletes as Buffalo City claimed seven category wins, while Nelson Mandela Bay, who brought down a large contingent, finished with six category wins.
KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Zambia each had one category winner.
With the crowd going wild cheering on the athletes on display, it made for a most enjoyable event.
“I would say it was indeed a success, especially when you look at the magnitude of the event and the calibre of athletes we had on show,” said Majeke.
“We had athletes from all over the country, we had a lot of spectators and I think a great show was put on.”
A total of 34 athletes qualified and were selected to compete in the main event in May and they will all now look to impress on the bigger stage.
“We try to do justice to this event and make sure these athletes are of international standard and I believe all the athletes chosen here will do us proud,” said Majeke.
“The majority of the athletes we have selected here I am sure will feature in the top six of their respective divisions of the Arnold Classic.”
Winners:
Teenage U18: Lindo Kuhle (BC); Junior Men over 75kg: Gareth Scheepers (NMB); Junior Men under 75kg: Amazolele Dumezwani (BC); Men’s Athletic Physique up to 178cm: Sinethemba Xhebeza (BC); Men’s Athletic Physique over 178cm: Seth Botes (WP); Women Beach Bikini up to 163cm: Sonnekke van Rensberg (BC); Women Beach Bikini over 163cm: Jade Hammond (NMB); Women Fitness Bikini up to 163cm: Lee Ann Joubert (NMB);Women Fitness Bikini over 35 years: Barbara-Dee Dorne (NMB); Women Body Fitness: Sara Donne Rudger (NMB); Women’s Physique: Delicia Naude (NMB); Classic Bodybuilding Senior Men: Ewald Rossouw (BC); Senior Men up to 70kg: Bonginkosi Siteto (BC); Senior Men up to 80kg: Lwazi Buso (BC); Senior Men up to 90kg: Mbu Green (KZN); Senior Men up to 100kg: Mzumzi Wakashe (BC); Senior Men over 100kg: Sylvester Chitenge (Zambia).
Bodies beautiful on display at Hemingways
Although not packed to capacity, a healthy and vocal crowd turned out to see some of the country’s finest bodybuilders attempting to qualify for the main All Africa Arnold Classic event to take place in May.
With a large Eastern Cape contingent taking part it was no surprise when most of the winners of the various categories were local. However, the main winner on the night ended up being Mbu Green from KwaZulu-Natal, who, along with claiming first place in the Senior Men’s Up To 90kg division, also won the overall bodybuilder of the competition award.
“He was the best on the night, but it was really close with quite a few of the athletes in with a chance at the end there,” said event organiser and vice-president of Bodybuilding South Africa, Khaya Majeke. “But he is a worthy winner and he will be expected to do very well at the main All Africa Arnold Classic.”
More than 80 bodybuilders participated in the event, with 16 divisions being voted on.
It was a good night for local athletes as Buffalo City claimed seven category wins, while Nelson Mandela Bay, who brought down a large contingent, finished with six category wins.
KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Zambia each had one category winner.
With the crowd going wild cheering on the athletes on display, it made for a most enjoyable event.
“I would say it was indeed a success, especially when you look at the magnitude of the event and the calibre of athletes we had on show,” said Majeke.
“We had athletes from all over the country, we had a lot of spectators and I think a great show was put on.”
A total of 34 athletes qualified and were selected to compete in the main event in May and they will all now look to impress on the bigger stage.
“We try to do justice to this event and make sure these athletes are of international standard and I believe all the athletes chosen here will do us proud,” said Majeke.
“The majority of the athletes we have selected here I am sure will feature in the top six of their respective divisions of the Arnold Classic.”
Winners:
Teenage U18: Lindo Kuhle (BC); Junior Men over 75kg: Gareth Scheepers (NMB); Junior Men under 75kg: Amazolele Dumezwani (BC); Men’s Athletic Physique up to 178cm: Sinethemba Xhebeza (BC); Men’s Athletic Physique over 178cm: Seth Botes (WP); Women Beach Bikini up to 163cm: Sonnekke van Rensberg (BC); Women Beach Bikini over 163cm: Jade Hammond (NMB); Women Fitness Bikini up to 163cm: Lee Ann Joubert (NMB);Women Fitness Bikini over 35 years: Barbara-Dee Dorne (NMB); Women Body Fitness: Sara Donne Rudger (NMB); Women’s Physique: Delicia Naude (NMB); Classic Bodybuilding Senior Men: Ewald Rossouw (BC); Senior Men up to 70kg: Bonginkosi Siteto (BC); Senior Men up to 80kg: Lwazi Buso (BC); Senior Men up to 90kg: Mbu Green (KZN); Senior Men up to 100kg: Mzumzi Wakashe (BC); Senior Men over 100kg: Sylvester Chitenge (Zambia).
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