HE IS still racking up bodybuilding accolades and awards at the age of 77 – the Warner Beach bodybuilder is showing no signs of slowing down.

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Stewart Spence recently participated in the ICN African Naturals competition which was held in Durban. Competing with entrants, some of whom were less than half his age, Spence won gold for the fourth year straight in the Grandmasters category, and silver for the third year running in the Over-40 Males category. Natural bodybuilding involves building muscle naturally without the help of steroids, and entrants are tested before every event.

“A lot of people have told me to give it up, but I keep winning,” he said, laughing.

“I couldn’t use the right side of my body, and I had to learn to eat, write and walk all over again,” said Stewart, talking about an accident in his teens that left him partially paralysed.

As part of the recovery, he took up bodybuilding and never looked back. He has also been a lifesaver for most of his life and is an honorary member of the Warnadoone Lifesaving Club. The depression he went through after the accident is what drives him to this day and inspires him to keep going. He said he plans to compete until he is 80, but even then, if he still has the energy, he will continue.

Stewart is grateful to Marion van Biljon who sponsors the nutritional supplements that he needs.

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