Medals for Margate musclemen
Despite not winning, the two bodybuilders can still be proud of their efforts.
STEVE Sarkis (53) was surprised and disappointed that he didn’t win the veterans’ section at the recent IFBB/BBSA provincial championships held in Durban.
The semi-retired plumber placed second. “I really thought I had done enough to win it,” he said.
It didn’t help that after the champs, a number of people felt he had been ‘robbed’ of the title, suggesting that it was an ‘unfair’ decision.
Although he qualified to compete in the SA champs in Cape Town, he has opted not to go.
“I’ve pretty much thrown in the towel. I won’t go on stage again,” he said.
“It’s really hard work and there’s a lot of effort involved. You look good (on stage) but feel half dead. The next day it’s an effort just to walk to the kitchen,” he said.
But this doesn’t mean he’s quitting the gym. No way.
“Training has been part of my life for the past 30 years. It’s part of my lifestyle. It’s like a drug, I get my ‘fix’ in the gym,” he laughed.
Steve works out at the Margate Superbodies gym.
“For me it’s about my own health and fitness, that’s my motivation,” he said.
Meanwhile, his weightlifting colleague Vicky Segone, who also trains at Superbodies, placed third in the light to middleweight division.
He was pleased with his efforts and said he did the sport mainly for fun.
The 38-year-old from Gamalakhe, who works as a supplements salesman at Game, said he has been involved in the sport for eight years.
“I want to encourage youngsters to do something good with their bodies. I can give them proper advice on what to do, what to take,” he said.
Prior to hitting the gym, he was a sprinter of some note. “I enjoyed athletics but this (bodybuilding) is my sport now,” he said.
He’s preparing for his next competition, which will take place at Sibaya Casino in a few months’ time.
