Six Swakop athletes to compete in SA

Six bodybuilding athletes from Swakopmund, who participated in the Sunfest Bodybuilding and Fitness Classic last year, have been selected to compete at the Arnold amateur bodybuilding competition from 18 to 20 May in South Africa.

They athletes are Adri Mayal, Merica Rabie, Reece Borman, Christine Visser, Bea Viljoen and Ian Beukes. Two officials from Swakopmund - Alethea Borman and Hennie Steyn - will accompany them.

President of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Namibia, Borman said Tanya Rhode, a Namibian elite pro bikini athlete who gained her elite pro card in Australia, is the only athlete who will compete in this division.

"However, she will compete under the Australian flag as she gained her card there and is registered there".

Expectations

Alethea said she expects the athletes to showcase the best Namibian bodybuilding has to offer.

"I want them to enjoy being on stage and as well as the road that brought them to that stage. The aim is always to gain international exposure for our athletes, especially because our competing athletes are a few. I foresee several top-six placings and perhaps one or two pro cards.

"This is how much I believe in the quality of our athletes. I am most confident in the quality and commitment these athletes have put in to look the way they do now," she said.

Over the moon

Reece, one of the selected athletes, said she is over the moon. "I am so happy that I can step on stage and do what my mom did. I enjoy bodybuilding and I hope that this will create awareness for more youngsters like myself and Merica Rabie to step on the stage".

Myall added that it is a "huge honour and privilege" to compete at the Arnold.

"I would never have dreamt to be a sports icon. People constantly ask me for advice and tell me that I motivate them to live healthier. After suffering severely from lower back pain, the only thing that really made my pain go away was strengthening my back and core. I am so grateful for bodybuilding as well as my bodybuilding family. I feel like a new person," she said.

"I am proud and humbled to be an IFBB bikini and fit model athlete," Myall added.

Alethea said this will be the first time Namibia partakes as an IFBB affiliate.

"This is also the first time such a big number of Namibian athletes are able to stand on an international stage. Although not gaining national colours, I am glad and humbled that - as the 2018 Arnolds Champion, and as the president - I am able to witness history being made. I know this team will do amazing, especially after numerous rejection letters for support to attend this event. "I know we can make an incredible impact at this event. The sport is still young, and with two junior athletes onstage, Merica and Reece, I do see a future for the sport," she said.

Going forward

Alethea highlighted that the aim for this year is to finalise the registration of IFBB with the sports commission.

"I have already submitted the necessary paperwork. My aim, if possible, is to host the first national event and select a team to partake in the IFBB amateur world championships, and also add the new IFBB fitness category - similar to CrossFit - to the event. We will try our best annually to hold an Arnold and world qualifying event," she said, adding that sponsors are difficult to come by.

She further extended a word of appreciation to Dischem Swakopmund for supporting the athletes with supplements throughout their preparation season.

"I would also like to Tanya Rhode for helping our athletes with posing and The Dome for opening their doors for our posing workshops," she said.

[email protected]