A DREAM come true was how Durban North resident and fitmodel athlete, Jaimee Best, described her selection for the South African team to compete in Lithuania at the Fitmodel World Championships.
Best, who competes under the International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness (IFBB) rules, recently competed at the SA Champs where she placed second in Junior Bikini, fifth in Ladies Bikini U166, and her crowning glory: placing first in the Fitmodel category, cementing her title as SA Fitmodel U166 champion.
“From when I first got the idea of competing, the dream or end goal was to one day go overseas and get my Protea colours. Never did I think that I would achieve this so quickly. I was selected last year but was unable to go because my passport wasn’t ready in time. This time around, I’ve made all the necessary preparations from early on to make sure, if I was given the opportunity, I could take it.
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“It’s definitely taken hard work, sacrifice, and a lot of sweat and tears to get here. Bodybuilding is unlike most sports in that it requires 24/7 commitment and dedication. It’s not just a few hours of training; it’s everything you do from tracking how many steps you take each day, your sleep, your cardio, your progress in the gym, to tracking everything you put into your body, even water,” she said.
She explained that the judges look at balance, symmetry and muscle tone when judging.
Best also spoke about the role of her family in her fitness journey and their support towards her achieving her dream.
“I wouldn’t have gotten this far without my support system. Bodybuilding is as much a mental challenge as it is physical. During times when I have a negative mindset, when I’m feeling down, or when I have bad body-image days – it is very common for a bikini athlete even though we are in such good condition – they are always there to remind me of the end goal, encourage me and keep me going.
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“Balancing my studies and prep has been a challenge, and having them there to help where they can has also been a huge help,” she said.
The world champs take place from October 1–3 in Lithuania, and Best has set her sights on the top spot. I am definitely aiming for a top 3 placing in my line-up, but who wouldn’t want to walk away with a World Champ title?” she said.
While she has been crowned SA Champ, the journey to Lithuania has to be self-funded, and Best has set up a BackaBuddy page for those who are able to support her dream.
If you would like to contribute, visit this link.
