Medals for local SAPS body builders

Johan Botha returned to Grahamstown with a winner’s trophy this week after placing first at the World Physique Federation (WPF) South African Police Services (SAPS) championships. Botha won the masters 1 (40 to 49 age category).

This is a two spot improvement for Botha who took third place in the same event last year. This time Botha beat the defending champion who finished second. Botha also entered the 80 to 90kg weight division and took second spot behind the top International Federation of Body Building contestant.

Also representing the SAPS Grahamstown branch were Anton Annandale and Lesley Sauls. Annandale and Sauls both competed in the novice section, with Sauls taking second spot and Annandale third.

Botha said it was an amazing feeling to win his category, especially beating the defending champion.

Annandale began his strenuous gym training at the beginning of last year, but only decided to take part in the body building competition in June.

All three have qualified to take part in the WPF South African championships, which takes place at Gold Reef City on 4 October. Representing the SAPS, they will compete against body builders from other clubs and organisations from around the country.

Before that, though, the three plan to compete in the Eastern Province Natural Body Building Championships in Port Elizabeth on 7 September. If they are selected for the EP team, they will then qualify for the South African Natural Body Building Championships which takes place in Port Elizabeth on 4 October, the same day as the WPF SA champs.

It will then be decision time for the three to decide which federation to represent. While Annandale has chosen to take part in the WPF SA champs, Botha and Sauls are still undecided. But whichever federation they choose, their intension will be clear–to make the South African team.

Botha thanked the SAPS cluster commander Morgan Govender for his continuous support towards the SAPS body builders.