Bodybuilder from Trichardt needs help to get to Netherlands

Bodybuilder Chantel Botha (39) has qualified for the Physical Culture Association (PCA) World Championship in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on November 17. Botha, an audiologist, began her bodybuilding journey at the start of 2023.

She juggles her career, being a wife and mother of three, while getting in her six-day workouts of weightlifting, cardio and posing. She also follows a strict nutritional plan of five meals a day.

Her first competition was the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) True Body Transformation Group (TBTF) Classic last April, where she placed first.

She qualified for the Arnold Classic in May 2023 and earned herself a place in the top six. Botha competed in the IFBB Provincial Championship last August, placing first in women’s bikini over 166cm and women’s bikini overall.

Despite not earning top spots in the IFBB SA Championship, she placed fourth and sixth in her two line-ups.

Having not qualified for the world championship, Botha took a short break to recover from the four competitions she competed in within such a short period.

“My coach told me to take a break and said, ‘You will be back’,” said Botha.

The bug had bitten, and coach Hennie Kotze’s words were barely cold. She wanted more, and this time, she aimed to compete internationally.

Botha moved to the Physical Culture Association (PCA) Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation this year.

She competed in the PCA H&H Classics in Pretoria in June and won in categories of toned bikini tall and toned bikini masters (35 years+).

She qualified for the PCA SA Championship in Cape Town on September 7, earning first place in the category of toned bikini masters and came second in toned bikini tall.

This achievement set her up to qualify for the PCA World Championship in the Netherlands. However, she needs help to get there and has just two months to raise the money.

“If I cannot get the sponsorship, I won’t be able to go. To go to the world championship would be a huge accomplishment,” said Botha.

All costs are out of Botha’s pocket, from the registration fees, flights and transport, accommodation, food, and costume to hair, make-up and more. Her costs to compete at the world champs could be R50 000.

Botha said she is not getting younger, and while her health and body allow her to compete, she will regret not taking this opportunity to compete at a greater level.

“You never know what tomorrow might hold. Next year, I may not be in the health or whatever may come to compete at this level. I don’t want to regret it and lose this opportunity,” said Botha.

She said if she places at the world champs, having represented SA among 30 to 50 other women competitors globally, it would be her best accomplishment in bodybuilding.

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“Even if I place 15th, it is top 15 globally. Everything happens for a reason. I can’t think this is happening by coincidence; there is something bigger behind this,” said Botha.

She said her husband, Chris, is her biggest supporter, and they have mutual and individual goals.

“We allow and support each other to be who we want to be. Chris takes over our home life when I need to train. Nothing in life comes easy.

“It comes with sacrifice and hard work. There is no such thing as luck. I have worked hard for this opportunity,” concluded Botha.

Any amount could help Botha reach the world champs. If you want to help, call her on 076 411 9175.

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