Willemse finishes fourth in World Champs
Local sports model star Cindy Willemse finished fourth in her 30+ category at the NABBA-WFF World Championships, in Ireland, over the weekend of November 5 and 6.
It’s a more than impressive culmination of a largely successful year for Willemse, whose road to Dublin began on a high note, when she was crowned champion at the NABBA provincials, held in Pretoria,in September.
She went on to again impress the judges during the nationals a few weeks later, also held in Pretoria, to secure her place in Team SA for the trip to the United Kingdom – which was her first international competition.
Asked whether she was happy with her performance and the outcome, Willemse (36) enthused: “Oh yes, for sure I am! Like I said, I went with the mindset of giving it my very best, but also to learn and gain experience.
“We all would like to place, but at the end of the day just being on that stage already makes you a winner.
“I never thought that I’d place fourth. It’s quite weird, but one thing I realised is that the over 30+ category is becoming a bigger, more popular category.
“Even at the world championships, our line-up was bigger than the open categories. It’s great to see how ladies are starting to look after their physiques… you’re never too old!”
On her newly-gained experience, she explained: “I came to the realisation of what competition is really about. It’s not about the girl next to you, her posing routine or her body. You need to focus on you! Yes, when you’re on that stage, you visualise that everything is all about you!
“I’ve done competitions where I didn’t even place in the top 10, but I never gave up.
“It motivated me to look at and focus on my weaknesses…and my weaknesses have become my strength today.
”Competition is all about improving yourself. I can’t wait to see what I’ll be bringing to the stage next year, as I know that this body needs some work in certain areas.”
Willemse also thanked her support structure.
“To my God: thank you for giving me the capability, strength and placing me in a very fortunate position, to participate in the sport that I love.”
She also paid tribute to Alet and Manie Lemmer from NABBA-WFF; her family and trainers, including 180 Degrees’ Lance Jacobson, Glen and Jolene Levinson. She also acknowledged all her sponsors. – @SabeloBoksburg
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