Meet Mr Strong of St Stithians Boys’ College

Lifting weights for South Africa while preparing for matric exams would take its toll on most people.

But Ross Booyse (18) is not like most people.

The Fourways resident who attends St Stithians Boys’ College, still finds time five times per week to snatch up to 83kg and lift a total 183kg at the School of Strength in Hurlingham.

Booyse is fresh off the bat from representing South Africa at the African Youth/Junior Weightlifting Championships in Uganda in October, in the 62kg youth division, where he finished fifth out of 12 competitors.

“It was a humbling experience because in SA, weightlifting is not a huge sport, and you think you must be the best at what you do,” he said. “But in the rest of Africa the sport is formal and strict, and everyone takes it seriously. I had never lifted on such a nice stage before.”

With his SA colours under his belt and his dream of representing his country come true, Booyse plans to take it easy for the next few months.

“I want to focus on studying, but there is a gym at Wits University where I will train and take it from there.”

He plans to compete at the Arnold Classic Africa in May next year, and just “improve on what I did in Uganda because it is all about improving in each competition”.

Booyse also has ‘mentees’ at the School of Strength whom he helps with training. Making their dreams a reality is quickly becoming a goal for him.

He concluded that the secret to his success was training every day, which improved his technique constantly.