After being unable to compete in the provincial Physical Culture Association (PCA) for at least three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bodybuilders from across the province were finally able to put their skills to the test in Gqeberha on September 3.
At least three bodybuilders from Jeffreys Bay participated and did exceptionally well.
Colyn Fourie (21)
When Fourie participated in the provincial PCA in 2019 he won the junior bodybuilding u/23 category.
Now, three years later he competed in the provincial show again and for the second time in a row, he won in the u/23-years-old category, and he was crowned as the runner-up in the u/80kg division.
Fourie was then chosen to represent the Eastern Cape at the PCA SA National Championships on September 10 in Cape Town in both divisions, but unfortunately due to financial circumstances, he was unable to compete.
“PCA is the best federation for athletes to compete in as they are so driven to make the athlete’s experience the best on each show. It was really a phenomenal show with exceptional competitors. I could not have asked for better,” said Fourie.
He further said he would be going back to the drawing board to train for next year’s provincial PCA and work towards participating in the nationals.
Caitlin Hoffman (25)
A highlight of the event was Hoffman who took first place for both the trained bikini and sports model divisions and ended the day on a high, when she was crowned the Eastern Cape’s bikini champion for 2022.
Through her outstanding performance at the provincial show, she was able to secure her spot for the nationals, but like Fourie, she was unable to attend due to financial circumstances.
“It was an absolute honour to be on stage showcasing my physique at such an incredible event and to see all the hard work that I have put in since April this year finally paying off,” said Hoffman.
The provincial PCA was the second time Hoffman was on stage as a bikini competitor, with the first being the Route Casino Classic in June this year in Mossel Bay, where she was announced as the runner-up.
“When preparing for a competition, consistency really is key. There were so many days where I wanted to give up, eat everything I laid my eyes on, and just not go to the gym for one day, but I had to remind myself that before becoming a champion I have to love the work of a champion and as soon as I made that mental switch it no longer felt like work and I knew that I had already won,” said Hoffman.
Despite her hard work and dedication, she said she could not have done so well in the provincial PCA if it were not for her coach, Andries Pretorius, and Fourie, as her nutritionist, who supported, encouraged, and reminded her that excellence was achieved through constant trial and error.
Hoffman said she is currently planning her way forward to accomplish bigger goals next year.
“Jeffreys Bay is so versatile, and it was a privilege to represent my town and to share the victories as bodybuilders with a town full of great surfers, creatives and artists,” said Hoffman.
André van Niekerk (60)
As a veteran bodybuilder, Van Niekerk has been a personal trainer for 30 years and has continued to train for the same number of years.
In 2017, he was crowned the PCA provincial veteran champion, a division for men above 50.
The following year, he won the provincial veteran championship again and was crowned the SA veteran champion in the same year, which saw him qualifying to participate in the PCA World Championships but unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the event was cancelled in 2020.
“My dream is to work towards participating in the world championships,” said Van Niekerk.
Since last competing in the provincial championships in 2018, he has continued to train hard, which led him to retaining his title as provincial veteran champion yet again at the PCA provincial show earlier this month.
Van Niekerk also has big plans to participate in the NPC Mother City Classic bodybuilding competition at the end of October, which could potentially see him qualifying to compete in the prestigious Arnold Classic.
Thereafter, he hopes to participate in the Mr Olympia, an annual bodybuilding event held in Las Vegas, in the United States.
“Time is against me, due to my age, so I will try my best because this might be my last chance to compete in big competitions,” said Van Niekerk.
