30 Oct 2016

Oarabile Moatlhodi from the Sir Seretse Khama Barracks Body weight lifting club emerged the winner  at the North Body Weight lifting tourney held in Francistown’s Galo Mall on Saturday.

Moatlhodi, who showed great strength and agility at weight lifting by first emerging victorious on the middle weight category with an average score of 8.8 to beat  other two contestants in his category.

Moatlhodi was further crowned the overall winner of the day by clocking in an impressive score of 8.48 and a total of 640 points to walk away with P1000, Bokomo Botswana and Ultimate Sport Nutrition hampers.

The lightweight category was won by Thuso Tlhabiwe from Jwaneng, who despite the hamstring injury sustained in one of the day’s activities, showed endurance and courage. He had an average score of 8.4.

On the heavy weight category, Modise Segopolo beat other two participants to get the number one position with an average score of 8.4 and a total of 685 points.

Super heavyweight championship went to Michael Modo with an average score of 6.59 and a total score of 660.

Maotoanong Masedi’s impressive performance throughout the day ensured his victory on the veteran’s category with an average score of 7.17 and 620 in total points.

In an interview after the tournament, the event’s administration officer, Mmakgabo Boshomane said the tournament has shown impressive growth since its inception in 2011.

He further stated that the tournament was used by senior national team selectors to select weight lifters who would represent the country at the national level.

This year’s event, he said, had more than 30 participants and was organized by the Francistown Power Lifting Club.

Though the event had sponsors such as Galo Shopping Centre, Bokomo Botswana, Medswana, Botswana Meat Commission and their main sponsor, BRES, he called for more companies to come forward and lend them a helping hand as they embark on increasing the sport’s popularity in Botswana.

Currently, he said there was still reluctance and disapproval among many people about the body weight lifting sport, because it is perceived as dangerous.

The event, he said, was categorized into five , being the light weight, middle weight, heavy weight, super heavy weight and the veterans. Number one was awarded P1 400,  number two took home P1 000 and number three P600. Each of the winners also got hampers courtesy of Bokomo Botswana and Ultimate Sport Nutrition. ENDS