Leslie rips it up in Lithuania

This comes after the Brentwood Park resident placed first overall in the World Fitness Federation (WFF) and World Bodybuilding Federation (WBBF) Professional World Championships Amber Prix Olympia event, in Lithuania, on Sunday, October 11.

“The Terminator”, as he is nicknamed, received his WFF-WBBF Pro Card in 2013, after winning numerous South African and Mr Universe titles.

He won the overall Mr Universe title in 2008.

Leslie, speaking from Port Elizabeth where he was working on a photo shoot for his main sponsor, Supplements SA, told the City Times that the Lithuanian win is right up there with the Mr Universe win, as one of the proudest moments of his bodybuilding career.

He explained that a number of criteria are used to determine the overall winner in the professional line-up.

“As a professional bodybuilder you need to be at a certain level,” he said.

“The judges look at your conditioning levels (high definition and low body fat), your size, body proportion and symmetry.

“They also look at the different poses, of which we do about 10 or 11.”

While in Lithuania, the Benonian was invited to the country’s parliament and even got to meet the vice-president and other delegates, which he described as an “honour”.

His focus will now turn to his next show, a Pro Invitational in Holland, in May, next year.

He offered some advice to people who may be considering taking up the sport.

“Bodybuilding is not a short-term period sport,” he said.

“There are guys who are 60/70 years old who are still training in the gym, so it is definitely a longevity sport.

“There is a lot to consider from a health and nutrition perspective and you need to be consistent with your training.

“Otherwise, just enjoy it.

“It’s a lifestyle.

“Once it bites you it’s hard to stop.”