Locals compete in Arnold Classic Africa
Two Hermanus athletes, Andre Joubert and Natasha Byleveld, competed in the fourth annual Arnold Classic Africa in Johannesburg from 17 –19 May. Over 20 000 athletes from across the world competed this year in almost 90 different sports.
The first Arnold Sports Festival was founded in Columbus, Ohio in 1989. It was named after its co-promoter, Arnold Schwarzenegger. It has since expanded into the world’s largest multi-sport fitness weekend since its debut at the Arnold Classic (a one-day professional men’s bodybuilding competition). The show now takes place on six continents and showcases a variety of physical and mental sports.
Andre competed in the Amateur Men’s Masters Bodybuilding division. He faced a tough line up with 11 other men from South Africa, France, Italy, Lebanon, Brazil and Russia, and placed sixth.
“What a great honour it was to represent my country at the Arnold Classic Africa. My dream was to place at the Arnold Classic and I’ve achieved that. Thank you to my trainer, Nic Lotter and all my friends at ProActive Gym Hermanus for encouraging me when I often doubted myself,” he said after the event.
Natasha competed in two divisions: Junior Fitness Bikini U23 and Arnold Classic Model Search. The competition in both divisions was tough and also consisted of athletes from across the world. Unfortunately, she didn’t place in the top six in a fitness bikini, but she did take third place in the model search.
“Stepping onto the international stage was the biggest accomplishment I’ve ever achieved,” she said. Natasha was also very pleased that the event provided an opportunity for her to meet the ‘glam guru’, Hannon and his husband, Julius.