Zirk Engelbrecht, an avid sportsman, can safely say that bodybuilding takes the most discipline.
“I come from a big sporting background,” Engelbrecht said.
“I was an amateur wrestler for 10 years and held eight or nine different national titles, I also played provincial rugby for the Lions when I was at school.
“Bodybuilding definitely takes the most discipline out of the three, especially with regard to diet and training.”
The 24-year-old Elsburg resident has been training as a bodybuilder for three years and is set to make a name for himself in the sport.
“I’ve been gyming for about eight years and in 2016 my coach, Drienkie Visagie from Pure Elite Fitness Centre, asked me if I would like to compete in a show.
“She said if I was interested she would help me through all the phases and I have been competing ever since,” Engelbrecht said.
Engelbrecht has competed in a number of IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness), IBFF (International Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation) and Nabba (National Amateur Bodybuilders’ Association) events and achieved podium positions.
“I have been quite competitive in my division,” he said.
Engelbrecht won the junior division (18 to 23 years old) of the Elite Athlete Extravaganza last year, and due to this, he received an invitation to represent the IBFF at the world championships in Spain.
He went on to take the Junior World Champion title for the IBFF, something which he is incredibly proud of.
When asked why he does the sport even though the discipline is extremely strict, Engelbrecht said, “I am actually not sure why I do it.
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“All bodybuilders have a high level of competitiveness and we constantly strive to do better.
“It becomes like an addiction when you see the condition your body is in.”
Engelbrecht is hard in training as he prepares for the Elite Athlete Extravaganza taking place on March 24 at the Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City.
He is following a specialised diet and trains twice a day – fasted cardio in the mornings and weight training and posing in the evenings.
For posing, he is taught by his coach and also attends classes.
“Posing is quite a science and it needs to be precise otherwise you lose points,” he said.
Engelbrecht’s girlfriend Shirley Myburgh (22) supports him as much as she can although Engelbrecht said he is difficult.
“I take my hat off to her because when I am preparing for a show I am grumpy, tired, stressed and worried and she sticks with me,” he said.
This competition will be Engelbrecht’s first in the senior division and he is nervous about it, however, he feels he will be competitive.
When he is not in the gym he enjoys anything to do with speed, especially riding his motorcycle.
He also enjoys spending time with his family which includes his pit bulls Zara and Phantom and his dachshund Shelby.
Engelbrecht added that to be competitive in bodybuilding takes a lot of time and expense.
He is in need of sponsors to help him reach the next level in the sport.
If you would like to assist Engelbrecht in any way send an email to zirkengelbrecht22@gmail.com.
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