Muscle-mom crowned SA’s best

It was a dream come true when Ballito’s muscle-mom, Bronwyn Dean was crowned South Africa’s champion female bodybuilder on Saturday, October 10 at Sibaya Casino.

Dean took to the National Amateur Bodybuilding Association (NABBA) SA championship stage in search of a third national title and a chance to compete at the World Fitness Federation (WFF) world championships in Pretoria on November 7, after a year of absence from the sport.

Competition was tough, but Dean’s excellent condition left the judges no choice but to crown her category (Miss figure 1, over 1.63m tall) and ladies figure overall champion.

“Bronwyn’s condition was by far the best. Her very defined muscularity, symmetry and balance stood out above the rest,” said Bev Scott, president of NABBA SA.

Scott said although smaller than most of her rivals, Dean was harder, drier and leaner and her muscles were in perfect proportion.

“Bronwyn is in excellent shape and should do well at this year’s world championships,” said Scott.

The competition kicked off at 10.30am in Sibaya’s iZulu theatre with the novices and juniors and was expected to conclude by no later than seven pm. But with more than 200 entries and a larger number of competitors than usual being allowed to do routines, the programme fell behind schedule.

The delay took its toll on some of the athletes who had not eaten or drank anything all day to achieve the leanest, driest possible look and athletes could be seen everywhere, sleeping wherever they could find a quiet spot in the theatre.

Dean finally went on stage for the first time at around 9 pm, not showing any sign of fatigue, hunger or thirst, presenting her level best to out-muscle the competition. An ecstatic Dean, after winning her category, said that she had been extremely nervous on stage and that she was absolutely exhausted. Being a true professional, Dean overcame her body’s cravings for sleep, food and water and outshone the Miss figure class 2 winner to be crowned the ladies figure overall champion.