Report back and photography by Andrew Carruthers, Editor-In-Chief
Date: 26th July 2010
Venue: University of Kwa-Zulu Natal
This was the first time that I had ventured into KZN to cover the 2010 IFBB SSN East Coast Classic, and it will certainly won't be the last. KZN houses some of South Africa's fastest growing talent, and I am pleased to report that it won't be long until we see some of the favourites from this show causing a big storm on the IFBB SA National stage. SSN did an awesome job of sponsoring the event as they have for many years and IFBB KZN chairlady Carole Van Biljon and her team put on a truly great event. The show comprised mainly of two halves, with the first being dedicated to novice athletes, while the second was dedicated to the senior and more experienced athletes. The conditioning of some of the novice athletes was impressive to say the least and this is something that has without a doubt improved over the years. Novices are coming in bigger and harder each year, which is inevitably forcing the overall standard of the shows around SA to grow substantially.
The bikini line-up was spectacular with a whopping 9 athletes taking to the stage. As one of the IFBB's newest additions to their shows, the bikini division is always and will always be a true crowd pleaser. The addition of this division now allows ladies with trained physiques to take part in bodybuilding events without them having to carry the look of a bodybuilder. It's certainly a huge crowd draw card, and I am glad that the IFBB have re-introduced this division in 2010.
Although there was no overall prize for the senior men's divisions, Joe Manjoo would easily have clutched the title with what can only be described as a phenomenal display of bodybuilding. His physique has completely evolved since his last stage appearance and his confidence and stage presence had the packed UKZN arena on the edge of their seats. His routine alone was worth the entry fee and now that he has finally found the ideal recipe that works for his physique, I simply can't wait to see him on the IFBB National stage. He is balanced throughout and harder than stone. His glutes were peeled with each and every muscle group in his body clearly on display. His posing was immaculate and he knew exactly how to capture each body part in every pose that he perfectly executed. I can't say enough about Joe and his transformation, but if he can keep this kind of progress up, we'll be seeing him take home a few well deserved overall titles in the near future.
Results:
Novice Juniors under 21 yrs
1.Nkululeko Cele
2.Mthokozisi Mthembu
3.Nhlanhla Ndlovu
Novice Masters over 40
1.Anthony Mudaly
2.Ludwig Bessick
3.Dilip Lakhani
Novice Classic Bodybuilding
1.Keagen Marimuthu
2.Roland Gounden
3.Jason Evans
Novice Wheelchair Division
1.Mazwi Mkhize
Novice Men under 70kg
1.Navesh Bhagwandin
2.Fabian Naidoo
3.Thembinkosi Ngwazi
Novice Men 70-80kg
1.Sipho Mnguni
2.Keshav Saikoolal
3.Skhumbuzo Mdletshe
Novice Men over 80kg
1.Marklen George
2.WP van der Merwe
3.Sbusiso Nxumalo
Overall Novice Winner
1.Sipho Mnguni
Ladies Bikini
1.Naadiya Rawat
2.Melissa Olivier
3.Desire Venter
Amateur Classic Bodybuilding
1.Joe Manjoo
2.Sandile Ntaka
3.Kiwalabye Ssebuliba
Amateur Men under 70kg
1.Gerald Baartman
2.Patrick Mayandu
3.Mondli Linda
Amateur Men 70-80kg
1.Syabonga Dludla
2.Daniel Asare
3.Njabulo Cele
Amateur Men over 80kg
1.Vusumzi Njisane
2.Soren Gibbons
3.Junaid Hussein