Lockdown will not deter him from realising his dreams
A local body builder said although lockdown restrictions have made his training difficult it will not deter him from reaching his goals.
A local bodybuilder says lockdown restrictions have had an immense impact on his training, but it won’t deter him.
Among the achievements of the 36-year-old Albert Ntamane, also known as Bafana, are first place in the Novice U/75kg bodybuilding category at the 2011 International Federation of Bodybuilding South A (IFBBSA); fifth place in the IFBBSA National U/85kg men’s bodybuilding; second place in the 2016 Rossi Classic; first place in the West Rand IFBBSA; and third place in the National bodybuilding classic division in 2018.
Bafana trains in the gym six times a week, and said training puts his mind at ease, especially as he is a mission controller in the South African Air Force (SAAF).
“Training keeps me focused.”
He said growing up in Kagiso there was a gym next to his grandfather’s house and he would see people training there. Being drawn to the Dallas Bodybuilding Gym, he started out as a cleaner to be able to use it, and he has been training there for the past 13 years.
Regarding Covid-19 and lockdown, Bafana said the restrictions had affected his preparations, especially with gyms being closed.
“I find it hard to train at home, and the moment the restrictions are relaxed and you focus again on competing, the restrictions are tightened and gyms close. Shows also are cancelled in these times.
Preparing for a show takes a lot of effort, and Bafana said he plans his preparation for about 16 weeks ahead of a show.
“Lockdown has caused me to not be able to compete in 2020. Training times have also been affected badly by the curfew, which in turn affected my training routine.”
Bafana is currently preparing for the 2021 IFBBSA West Rand Provincials on September 18, and IFBBSA Nationals in August.
“The regulations have had an impact on my goal but I won’t let it determine my goal. I represent the West Rand on national level, showing others the potential that SA has.”
He feels that the measures most gyms have put in place to protect their customers are a bit too strict, as they have not done proper research.
“Training is not only about competitions but about health. Reaching my goals motivates me to show the young ones that nothing is impossible, especially with the pandemic. Never give up.”
Bafana said he knew the restrictions are there to protect us, and it made him realise that the road to any achievement is not smooth. It has made him look differently at life and appreciate what he has.
