Westville bodybuilder scores gold in KZN champs

UNIVERSITY of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Sport Science Gym supervisor, Zamile Nduli, won a gold medal at the KwaZulu-Natal Open Bodybuilding Championships which were held recently.

The Westville resident was competing in the Women’s Physique category and said it was her first time competing in that category.

Asked about how she got into bodybuilding, Nduli said she used to read a lot of magazines.

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“One day, when I was reading a fitness magazine, I came across two pages with human beings who looked like Greek gods and goddesses wearing bikinis and posing trunks. They looked amazing, and I could swear they were not real.

“I got inspired by all the female athletes, especially by those in the Women’s Physique division – at the time, I did not know that women could look that amazing with big muscles.

“I was inspired and promised myself that one day, I will look like them and be on the Olympia stage and appear in the fitness magazine wearing my gorgeous stage bikini, displaying my well-sculptured body,” said the Westville resident.

Ten years later, the 34-year-old is doing exactly that and working towards becoming one of the best female bodybuilders in the country. Her ultimate goal is to be on the Olympia stage.

Nduli said she loves bodybuilding as it forces one to be disciplined, especially when preparing for the contest.

“You have to stick to your diet and training programme. Motivation alone in bodybuilding does not work; you need to be motivated and disciplined to ensure you do well in it.”

Nduli said she trains five times a week and rests on weekends.

“However, if it happens that I missed one day of training during the week, I will train on Saturday. My training programme is divided into two – I have resistance training sessions and cardio.”

Norms around women in bodybuilding

She said that women who are into bodybuilding are considered to be disrupting and defying gender norms.

“Society thinks that these women do not confirm to feminine ideals. So, you must be prepared for ill comments from society about the sport of your choice and your physique.”

However, she encouraged women to not let the negativity stop them from being the best bodybuilder they want to be.

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“Go for it, and forget about what society thinks about women who are into bodybuilding – they think they have a right to dictate a woman’s life. Rise against the crooked societal norms or standards for women and do what sets your soul on fire, as long as it does no harm to others.

“Be drawn to the things that make you feel alive regardless of what people say. Be you and do you; people will always talk, and that should not stop you from being a bodybuilding athlete,” advised Nduli.

The athlete said she always get looks and comments.

“Most comments are negative, and they come from people who do not even exercise and who don’t even know anything about bodybuilding. I think it will take time for society to learn and understand that there are women who are into bodybuilding and not ashamed of it,” she said.

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