GBO hosts successful event

JEANETTE DIERGAARDT

About 28 bodybuilders took part in the Titans Elite Competition, including five women.

The Global Bodybuilding Organisation of Namibia (GBO) hosted the Titans Elite Competition on Saturday.

Athletes took centre stage at the Pionierspark Primary School where the event was hosted.

The competition consisted of three categories in the male division and one category in the female division. Men competed in the beach body, men’s fitness and open classes. For women, there was only a beach body class.

Most of the bodybuilders were participating for the first time, but for the overall winner in the male fitness division, Panduleni Nekomba, the bodybuilding stage is familiar ground. The accountant started his bodybuilding journey in 2017 and went as far as qualifying for the Arnold Classic Africa in 2019 but could not compete due to financial constraints.

“For me there is no motivation, it’s just discipline,” said Nekomba about what it takes to compete in bodybuilding competitions.

First-time competitor Marlize Bock in the female fitness division was named the overall winner for the best transformation. The mother of two started dedicating her time and following a strict diet in June 2021.

“It’s my first time; I think my mind was absolutely blown,” Bock said, adding that GBO Namibia provided a comfortable setting for competing.

Riaan Grobler, the director of GBO Namibia, said the competition is about people transforming their lives.

Male division beach body

First place: Armand Kotze

Second place: Jeremiah Ziunye

Third place: Jaco Muller

Male Fitness

First place: Panduleni Nekomba

Second place: Siegfried Netembu

Third place: Herman Shimana

Open Division

First place: Premargo Swarts

Second place: Genesius Muronga

Female division beach body

First place: Leah Kotze

Second place: Bea Viljoen

Third place: Cassia Sharpley