THE Genesis Gyms hosted their ninth annual Strongman competition at the Marburg Youth Centre recently. About 100 spectators came out to watch the athletes compete.
Many competitors had never been involved in such an event, and were surprised by how well they performed in front of the large audience.
“I just did it for fun and games, but it was such a positive experience to lift in front of a crowd cheering for you the whole time,” said Grant Watts (20).
Watts won the top prize for the over 90 kg category. “I never thought I was going to do that well,” the Vikings Rugby Academy student added.
More than 30 men, and one woman, competed in the traditional strongman style event. Competitors earned cumulative points in the back squat, bench press, tyre flip, dead lift, and car pull.
The community event highlighted the top weightlifters and bodybuilders from all the local gyms. Many competitors were spurred on by the cheering crowd, and achieved their personal bests in the gym.
“I was surprised by how many came to watch. It really psyched me out to lift weights for the entertainment of other people. I would have never been able to lift that much if I was not in front of a crowd, and competing against the others,” said Kabelo Moche (20), who increased his personal best in the deadlift from 180kg to 230kg.
Results
U80kg: 1 Juandré Pretorius; 2 Sandile Sithole; 3 Samu Ndlovu.
80-90kg: 1 Zola Mbali; 2 Jabula Cele; 3 Xolela Daniels.
90kg and up: 1 Grant Watts; 2 Nkosingiphile ‘House’ Nyawose; 3 Justin van Zyl.
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