Age is just a number and true strength comes from a strong mind, as shown by 68-year-old veteran body builder Cornelius Hendricks.
The Gordon’s Bay local is on his way to represent South Africa at the Natural Bodybuilding World Championships to be held in Manchester, England in June.
The brother of the late Johannes Hendricks, who was well known in body building circles around the world, is also a friend of legendary international strongman and winner of 26 IFBB professional titles legend Ronald Coleman.
Speaking to DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette from his home in Sea Breeze, Cornelius said as a youngster he did body building for fun and fitness, and as a support tool for his brother, who took the lifestyle more seriously.
“My brother and I started with weights after meeting a body builder in 1983,” he recalled. “He inspired us and we thought this is great, let’s give it a go.”
Hendricks added his brother would go on to win several national titles. “As for me, I won my first trophy in a Western Province competition in 1991, and here and there again until 2012, when I decided to leave the sport. At the time I was too busy with my personal life to commit to body building, but after I retired and returned to Gordon’s Bay in 2019 I took up the sport again. Lockdown started soon after, so my training was somewhat interrupted and I paced myself.”
Cornelius soon reaped the rewards, as he won the Kraaifontein Masters last year, was crowned overall winner and line-up winner at the South Africn Development Championships in Colesburg, in the Northern Cape. He also took top honours at the Western Province Championships and was selected for South African team set to travel to Manchester for the world championships.
“Last year was one of the best year’s of my life in terms of the awards I received,” he said. “Now I’m focused on getting into the best shape ahead of the world championships. The masters from other countries, especially those in Europe and America, are in great shape as they have a lot of support from their governments. Unfortunately, I don’t have any sponsors and it is an uphill battle to raise the funds I need to get to the UK.”
Cornelius dedicates almost three hours to training daily and is pushing for the big competition, although he admitted that he is not big on dieting.
“I eat healthily, but now and then I have some cake with a cold drink,” he said. “I believe it’s all in the mind when it comes to body building.”
Cornelius will have to raise an amount of at least R45 000 to make the round trip and has appealed to the community to help him reach the target.
“My health is good and I have no issues. I feel great, as if I can sprint with the youngsters. It will be a lifelong dream come true if I can raise the money and represent SA at the world championships. I would be so grateful if the community can help. It will also be my first international trip, which makes it all the more special.”
- To get in touch with Cornelius to support him, call 074 866 9838.
