Private Jonas Johannes of the 6 SA Infantry Battalion passed his first practical test after qualifying as the youngest ever judge for the South African Natural Body Building Association.
Private Jonas Johannes of the 6 SA Infantry Battalion passed his first practical test after qualifying as the youngest ever judge for the South African Natural Body Building Association.
The 27-year-old, who is a member of the Makana Natural Body Building Club, was selected to judge at the national championships in Cape Town on Saturday 5 October.
Although he says still has much to learn, he picked up some great tips at the competition – for himself and his team-mates back home.
At the competition Johannes had to assess the quality of body builders' muscles and structure, "because anyone can be big," he explained, "but not everyone can show their muscles".
After getting 86% for his judges' exam on 8 September, Johannes says he can now have a future in the sport as more than just a competitor.
Body builders get old, he says, but "with judging you can be on the development side. It is also helpful for my team to be a judge among them".
Grahamstown army base sports officer Lieutenant Mervin Classen said 6SAI is very proud of Johannes and supports him all the way.
"What he does he is doing on his own," he said.
According to Johannes, where he comes from what he's managed to achieve is a big accomplishment. "Especially coming from a small town like Somerset East where cultural differences did not make it easy to do body building," he said.
"I am now happy to say that [my hometown]is 100% behind me and I thank them and everyone for supporting me."
