Schwarzenegger event judge lauds Kasi Gym
ALEXANDRA – Zolani Jojo puts Alex on the world map.
Alexandra-based athletes win at the 2019 addition of the Arnold Classic Africa Sports Festival.
The feat was commended by one of the judges Jolene Levinson in reference to 11 athletes from Kasi Gym who graced the event, with 24 000 other African participants, at the Sandton Convention Centre and surrounding venues for two days, from 17 to 19 May.
“They [Kasi Gym] athletes raised the bar through exceptionally high standards, good personalities and confidence. We look forward to their participation in 2020.”
The annual multisport event was founded 30 years ago by the gentle giant and global bodybuilding champ, actor, politician and former governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Ninety thousand spectators watched the events.
The gym’s Zolani Jojo and Mdumiseni Maqoma walked away with the first and second runner-up medals respectively, among about thirty competitors in the model search category, which was won by Leroy Solomons from Port Elizabeth. The other sporting categories included weight lifting and body building, arm wrestling, boxing, archery, arts and culture, body painting, aquatics, softball, baseball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, beach street party, beauty pageant, football, figure skating, cycling, dance, darts, deaf sports, gymnastics, golf, martial arts and indigenous games.
Levinson said that the model search category was judged in relation to body fitness, beauty, confidence and style in three rounds: Swimwear, where the athletes were judged for their gear, looks, and body fitness; sportswear, where they exhibited their dressing finesse and personality while performing a chosen sport; and the funk-up your jeans category, which was judged on the creative use of clothing and presentation.
She lauded the achievement by Jojo and Maqomathe, saying that it exposed them to opportunities in modelling and brand ambassadorship for food supplements and clothing companies. “Agents watched them and they could soon be doing TV shoots in careers they may not have anticipated.”
Proud Jojo harped on the victory, saying the medal and belt had a cherry on top of R2 500 prize money. “I am unemployed, have two kids, no profession and spend all the time in the world working and toning my body at the gym, rather than in the streets and in bad company.” His interest in gym started in 2015 with a short-term stint at Sandton Virgin Active, where he was allowed to exercise, and this then carried over to Kasi Gym.
He urged unemployed youth not to let despair lead them astray. “Keep physically active and fit to clear your mind, remain focused, not to look down on yourself and to stop thinking it’s the end of you.”
He regards the victory as a game changer for him. “The experience gained is a foundation for my victory next year and the anticipated job opportunities will be a bonus.”
Schwarzenegger lauded the event, committing to attend all subsequent additions. “I just love coming back. We welcome everyone and ask gym owners and food supplement companies who want to be really successful to reach out to every community so that no one is left behind,” he said at a media briefing.
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