Local bodybuilders have been selected for the Eastern Province team to take part in the SA Bodybuilding Championships scheduled to take place on 22 September in Jansenville. These Grahamstown (Makhanda) athletes were selected on the back of their stellar performances at the EP Natural Bodybuilding Championships in Algoa Park in Port Elizabeth on Sunday 2 September.
Abongile Deliwe came second in the Light Weight division, while Danie September won the Special division. They are joined in the EP team by Odwa Simayile, who came first in the 21 years u/65kg and Orren Jacobs, who won the Welterweight division.
If these athletes continue to do well at the SA Champs, they could be chosen to represent the country at the world championships in Spain in November.
In addition to the athletes that participated in the EP Champs, Lesley Sauls went through to Johannesburg to take part in the Physical Culture Army (PCA) South African National Championships on 2 September, and the International Bodybuilding Fitness Federation (IBFF) championships on 8 September. He was joined in the IBFF Championships by fellow Makana Bodybuilding club member, Johann Botha and his son Francois.
Sauls took home first place in the Male routine competition, meaning that he was the best male poser at the championships. He also placed second in the 70kg and under weight class at the PCA Championships. A week later, Sauls placed fourth out of a thirteen man line up at the IBFF Championships.
Both Bothas took part in the IBFF SA Championships, and were subsequently selected to represent South Africa in the Mr Universe competition. Francois Botha placed second in the U23 line up, while the elder Botha, Johan, came third in the Masters division. They will travel to Italy for the Mr Universe competition between 13 and 16 October.