bodybuilding gives introvert new expressions
Tumelo Mokone (18) has found a new way of expressing himself by perfecting his physical stature.
Duduza – Tumelo Mokone says body building has not only improved his physical fitness but his emotional intelligence as well.
“I used to be a loner ekasi.
I would come home after school and just mess around with dumbbells I found in the yard,” says the eighteen-year- old Nigel High School learner.
He says that this is how his love for weight lifting started.
“I began lifting weights without a trainer.
I was only twelve years old but I figured ways to strengthen my body without much guidance.”
Tumelo says he made the move from weight lifting to body-building in 2015.
He believes that sharing the gym with others has also made him more sociable.
“Body-building is the use of progressive resistance exercise to control and develop one’s musculature.
It’s about perfecting your body, even though we know perfection is unattainable,” he jokes.
The highlight of his career was winning third place at the International Body-building and Fitness Federation (IBFF) South Africa Championships in September.
“It was my best showing and I just did not expect the results I got.”
He has since received sponsorship from Tyrell Ackermans Nutrition.
“The endorsement makes me feel as if someone out there really believes in me.
The Grade 12 learner believes that the sport is like a job because it requires a lot of commitment.
“I have to go to the gym, whether I feel like it or not.
At the end of the day, my hard work always pays off.”
Tumelo is committed to passing on the knowledge he has to others who may want to follow in his footsteps.
“I will be offering posing classes at Body Vision Gym in Bluegum from Saturday, 26 August.”
