CRADOCK-based Powerlifter, Xolani Ndatya, finished well clear of his rivals in the men under 74 kilograms category to win the Gold Medal in the African Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships that were held in Potchefstroom recently.
Xolani has been competing for several years as a disabled powerlifter in the Eastern Cape and at the Disabled South African Championships. This year he decided to try at the Eastern Cape bench Press Championships in early February as an able-bodied lifter.
He qualified at this competition to compete at the South African Bench Press Championships in Gqeberha in March. He won first place and qualified to get Federation colours as an able-bodied lifter in the Master One category at the African Powerlifting Championships in the under 74kg division where he won the Gold Medal.
This event was for all International Powerlifting Federation members from the whole African continent.
Ndatya says he was over the moon after winning the medal as he was competing with tough opponents in his category.
“I was over the moon although I know I trained hard and prepared well for this event; other competitors from around the continent also worked hard but at the end I was the winner. I also want to thank my manager, Elisabeth, who is also my coach. She is always there for me and shares every bit of knowledge with me,” said Ndatya.
Ndatya’s manager, Elisabeth Barry, said the athlete is a hard-working professional who is very easy to work with.
“Xolani is a great guy, very easy to work with, quiet but works hard to achieve his goals. He puts in the time and effort required. He trains on his own in Cradock and at the various competitions I am his coach and help with his warmups and to decide on the weight he will lift in the competition,” said Barry.
He also participated at the Toyota Disabled SAs which were also held this year in April in Gqeberha where he came first.
He qualified in early October this year for next year’s Disabled SAs 2022 to be held in Johannesburg.
