Glamour, sweat and tears all in a day’s work for this athlete

Victoria Welthagen, athlete and Miss Benoni 2016, has much planned for the last few months of the year.

She continues to enter pageants, compete in obstacle course racing, such as the Spartan Trifecta, and also give it her all in the newest addition to her already busy life, boxing.

Although the date is not yet confirmed, Welthagen and her trainer, Jesse Schaper of Martial Fitness, have been working tirelessly to get her into shape and prepare her for her first fight, planned for December.

“It’s very challenging but I am enjoying every bit of it,” explained Welthagen.

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“I have a dietician, a fight plan and I do the fight camps. I train an average of two hours every single day, and this will only increase as time goes on.”

As time has gone on, Welthagen has been learning new fitness techniques while working on her strength, boxing, technical and tactical training, sparing and conditioning.

“Jesse has only lost one fight. He really invests so much time into me and my training, helping me to become the fighter I aspire to be.

“Some of the fitness exercises I have had to do can be really intense. For example, I run and Jesse rides a bicycle behind me. I am running well and getting there.

“He is constantly pushing me to be the best that I can be. I have had to flip truck tyres and use a sledge hammer on a tyre – it’s definitely not easy but so worth it,” said Welthagen.

She juggles a very busy life.

While handling all of the above, Welthagen also runs her own company, Torri Estates, and because of how well her company has been doing and all the work she has put in, she is now rated one of South Africa’s youngest real estate principals.

“My company is actually turning a year old this month.

“It’s a very exciting milestone. I take a step back and look at everything I have achieved to reach this moment, and I am very proud.”

On top of running her own company, becoming a boxer, competing in Spartan Trifecta’s and Warrior races, Welthagen competed in Miss Grand SA and took home the Miss Debutant title on August 26.

“My mom made my swimwear and my designer friend, Anna Sokolsky, my dress.

“It took us three hours to just do the diamanté on the dress,” she explained.

Welthagen has also entered Miss Gauteng, which will take place on November 7.

“My mom, Esmeralda, and Anna will be working on doing my dress again for this competition.

“It’s scary because you have to do well in all the categories in order to win.

“It’s demanding and hard, but I believe if something doesn’t scare you a little, then you’re not dreaming big enough.

“I am very nervous because I came second last year, so this year is a lot of pressure on me, but I am excited at the same time. I really want to win,” she explained.

Welthagen has also been working under Johan Ungerer, the managing director of Top Model SA.

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“I had a blast working for them at the last event, so next year’s event I am very excited for.

“It’s hard work but an unbelievable experience and I am really looking forward to being a part of it again.

“This year I am also scouting for talent, so it’s a new experience which I am genuinely excited to be a part of,” she said.

She will also be looking forward to the Trifecta on December 5 and 6 as well as her first boxing match in December.

“I have to bring my weight down to 70kg, which is going to be very tough but I am looking forward to the journey.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents. Seeing them just as excited as I am for everything that is happening in my life pushes me harder.

“It’s a journey that I am travelling and having my parents’ support means the world to me.

“At the gym, Jesse has been absolutely fantastic.

“I feel with him by my side I can do anything. Even his girlfriend, Amber, and their daughter cheer me on at training – all I hear is support when training at the gym and it’s such a positive space to be in.

“I am very excited for what the rest of this year holds for me,” concluded Welthagen.