2010/07/31
THEY’VE come a long way together, now the two friends are out to muscle their way to bodybuilding glory this weekend.
Former junior-heavyweight 2008 champion Everitt Hand and Louis Bessinger will be vying for top honours in their respective weight divisions at the annual Border Bodybuilding provincial championships at the Guild Theatre on Sunday afternoon.
Hand and Bessinger, who will be competing for the last time in the junior division, are hot favourites to win titles in a competition that will be as challenging as it will be tough.
Hand has toned his muscles extremely well since his incredible victory in 2008, while Bessinger has the build of a seasoned campaigner.
They both realise they face stiff competition against a number of eager contenders in what will be a fascinating International Federation of Border Bodybuilding showdown.
Current champions – 2009 overall winner Lwasi Buso and 2008 winner and Mr South Africa, Ed Weyer – come with great pedigree and will press their opposition to the ultimate.
Weyer’s muscle size can be an intimidating factor, but Hand is unfazed by his opponent’s reputation.
“If you’ve got no confidence, then you’re not supposed to be in this game,” said Hand. “I am confident I would win, I am looking forward to the overall title as well, it will all go down to who brings the best package.”
Bessinger also exudes confidence. “I don’t want to come across as big-headed but winning the juniors is not a hard thing to do, I am planning to make an impact on the ‘overalls’ as well,” he said. The pair met when they were relatively thin and shared a passion for bodybuilding five years ago. They are hoping to make the provincial team which will be named after the event.
Hand, who says his interest in bodybuilding was sparked following surgery added that he has just started whetting his appetite for the sport.
“I had reconstructive surgery, so I began working out merely for cosmetic reasons, then I developed an interest for bodybuilding and had never looked back since,” he said. - By ATULE JOKA
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