It was a day to remember for East London’s Clifford Martin as he claimed the overall win at the 2017 International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA) Championships in Las Vegas earlier this month.
Disabled sportsman Martin beat out a host of top talent from around the world to pick up the biggest title of his career to date.
“It came as quite a surprise. The overall win was against guys who have full body function so that was really amazing,” said Martin.
“The one guy I was up against was an amputee and the other was partially blind and partially deaf and they fell under the same category as me, so to beat those guys who have full body function while I am paralysed from the chest down was a really amazing moment.”
Martin had to first triumph in his division, the physically challenged seated, to reach the overall final, with him then going on to take the gold overall as well.
“When I won my division it was a highlight already and then when I won the overall I was like wow, it was awesome,” said Martin.
“It was actually the first time that someone from South Africa had won the overall section of the competition so that was quite nice.”
Looking to the future, Martin will now be aiming to enjoy a top year in bodybuilding next year and will be hoping to pick up some good local wins, before focusing on trying to get to the biggest stage, which is Mr Olympia.
He will also be working towards getting his pro card in the sport, which would be a phenomenal achievement.
“I have a couple of local events next year that I will look to take part in and also some international ones, and funding is often a problem, but the pinnacle of our bodybuilding is the Mr Olympia Games, so hopefully I can get to that next year,” said Martin.
“I have qualified for it several times before but have never managed the funds to go, so that is the one I want to get to.
“My main goal is also to try and get my pro card now. There has never been a physically challenged person in the world who has managed to get their pro card in this generation so my next goal is to be the first one to get their pro card.”
Helping Martin along the way has been the Kempston Lifestyle Centre, who raised funds for his bodybuilding wheelchair.
“The Kempston Group helped me to get my wheelchair motor, and that helped me a lot so I am very grateful for that and then the Round Table also has done fundraising for me, which is always a big help and very appreciated,” said Martin.
Martin strikes gold in Las Vegas
Disabled sportsman Martin beat out a host of top talent from around the world to pick up the biggest title of his career to date.
“It came as quite a surprise. The overall win was against guys who have full body function so that was really amazing,” said Martin.
“The one guy I was up against was an amputee and the other was partially blind and partially deaf and they fell under the same category as me, so to beat those guys who have full body function while I am paralysed from the chest down was a really amazing moment.”
Martin had to first triumph in his division, the physically challenged seated, to reach the overall final, with him then going on to take the gold overall as well.
“When I won my division it was a highlight already and then when I won the overall I was like wow, it was awesome,” said Martin.
“It was actually the first time that someone from South Africa had won the overall section of the competition so that was quite nice.”
Looking to the future, Martin will now be aiming to enjoy a top year in bodybuilding next year and will be hoping to pick up some good local wins, before focusing on trying to get to the biggest stage, which is Mr Olympia.
He will also be working towards getting his pro card in the sport, which would be a phenomenal achievement.
“I have a couple of local events next year that I will look to take part in and also some international ones, and funding is often a problem, but the pinnacle of our bodybuilding is the Mr Olympia Games, so hopefully I can get to that next year,” said Martin.
“I have qualified for it several times before but have never managed the funds to go, so that is the one I want to get to.
“My main goal is also to try and get my pro card now. There has never been a physically challenged person in the world who has managed to get their pro card in this generation so my next goal is to be the first one to get their pro card.”
Helping Martin along the way has been the Kempston Lifestyle Centre, who raised funds for his bodybuilding wheelchair.
“The Kempston Group helped me to get my wheelchair motor, and that helped me a lot so I am very grateful for that and then the Round Table also has done fundraising for me, which is always a big help and very appreciated,” said Martin.
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