An upcoming Tembisa bodybuilder took first place in a Gauteng competition on July 25.
The Gauteng North Intermediate 2016 event was a competition under the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) and where Victor Mhlanga qualified to represent South Africa in Ghana on August 27, 2016.
The 23-year-old said he has been committed to the sport since he was let go from Moroka Swallows development side.
“I had transport problems and I would sometimes be absent from training sessions. That is how my dream of becoming a soccer star got shattered,” said Mhlanga.
The young man started weightlifting in 2009 immediately after leaving the soccer team.
He said he was inspired by his father who was also a weightlifter.
Following his dedication in his new sport people advised him to go into modelling because of his well-developed body.
“My modelling career didn’t last long as I developed interest in professional bodybuilding competitions,” said Mhlanga.
In 2014 he competed professionally for the first time at the Boksburg Classic under IFBB where he took fifth place.
“Even though I didn’t get any prizes for that, it motivated me to train even harder and aim for first place,” said Mhlanga.
In his second professional competition, the Rossi Classic he took second place and he attributes that to his devotion and hard work.
“I still had to put more effort in until I achieve my ultimate goal of becoming the overall winner,” he said.
Perseverance led to Mhlanga finally taking first place at a 2015 Pretoria North Provincial Show hosted under Bodybuilding South Africa (BBSA).
“I was very excited and my prayers were answered. I had reached my goal of taking first place and from there I never looked back. I work hard to be the best I can be in the sport,” said Mhlanga.
Every competitor in the sport has their setbacks and Mhlanga said when he loses he tries to identify how the winner beat him and exert more effort in his training to improve on his weak point as opposed to complaining about it.
Mhlanga is not employed at the moment and he plans to make a career out of the sport.
“To succeed in the sport one needs to have the backing of sponsors, which I do not have at the moment,” he said.
“The youth must consider doing the sport as it will keep them away from crime.”
Potential sponsors who maybe willing to assist in furthering Mr Mhlanga’s career can contact him on 073 594 3516.
