Strand’s body-building and fitness aficionado Nadene Basson is a world champion after winning in the Athletic Pro Figure category at the United Intercontinental Body Building Fitness Federation (UIBFF) World Championships held in Coventry, England, earlier this month.
“It still feels like a dream,” she said elatedly just days after landing back in the country.
“I just can’t believe it; I’m still processing it. Everyone around me is so excited, but I still feel the same. I just could’t wait to come home and see my kids, my fiance, and just eat!”
The journey has taken three years of total commitment and dedication towards a more fulfilling lifestyle, and follows continuity from last year, when Basson featured in six regional and national body-building competitions (“Body-building coach brings out the best”, DistrictMail and Helderberg Gazette, 21 September 2022) and excelled in them all.
She was a natural on stage, but more importantly her physique improved and so did her confidence. But in November last year she encountered a challenge when her coach from Day 1, Nathanael Pekeur was unable to continue coaching her due to other commitments.
“I worked with Nathanael one-on-one for two years and he had really laid down a fantastic foundation for my condition and I couldn’t be more grateful for all his support from the very start.
“I knew that I would have to find a new coach that would match my personality and understand my path, and after some ‘coach-shopping’ I came across Jeremy Blasco from Gauteng, and although his entire style and approach was something I had never experienced before, I embraced it all and did exactly as I was told. It was also different in the sense that it was not in-person but rather online, and I had to make the adjustment which actually proved easier than I initially thought.”
Accountability and discipline, aspects which are vital in body-building, came along naturally and Basson worked hard and focused solely on her goals, and soon began to see results.
“His method just works,” Basson said, “and in August this year I competed in the Shaye Best Classic in Panorama.
“It was my first event under a new coach and the entire approach to ‘peak week’ was very different. I felt that physically and mentally I was in great shape and I could feel I had made major strides.”
And that feeling proved true as she walked away as the winner of the masters division in bikini line-up and figure line-up. This result also got her invited to the World Championships as she earned a “Pro Card” and became a recognised professional body-builder who would represent South Africa.
“I was ecstatic and overwhelmed; I think I was emotional for a week.
“It was the culmination of such hard work and I felt incredibly blessed.”
As part of preparations for the World Championships and to stay in peak shape, Basson entered the Fitness SA competition which took place in September in Cape Town where she again walked away with top honours.
Aside from the physical prep, Basson was also hard at work with fundraisers to raise the money required for the trip to the UK as it’s self-funded.
With a generous donation from her fiancé Wynand du Plessis and other donors, Basson reached the funding target well ahead of the World Championships, which took place in Coventry, a two-hour drive from London on Saturday 4 November.
“I was relaxed on the day. I have strong faith, and I trusted God’s plan for me.
“It can be intimidating to be among the best body builders in the world. When I was announced as the winner it just felt amazing.”
Basson plans to take a well-deserved rest, enjoy her favourite foods and a time with her two sons, Johan (17) and Arnandt (15).
But it will soon be back to her base gym, Edge Fitness at the George Street Lifestyle Centre, where she will train again ahead of the World Championships next year, which are scheduled to be held in South Africa.
