14 May 2018

In a more conservative society as that of ours, some professions are never seen as something that can be used to earn a living, but just a pastime.

Such professions include bodybuilding, but Botswana’s own muscle man, Gontse Sechele differs with the status quo.

In an interview, Mathangwane-born athlete said he had been in the body building game for the past 12 years.He said bodybuilding was a sport different from weightlifting although most people cannot distinguish between the two.

“In bodybuilding, we do not compete by lifting anything but rather with how muscles are built and toned,” he said. 

Sechele said he started competing locally in 2008 and kept working on improving his game until he competed internationally in events such as the World Championships several times where he did well.

He said he took position four at the World Championships in Ireland last year and also took part in various competitions in the United States of America, North Korea, Singapore and other countries. Sechele, who is at the moment preparing for the Pretoria Classic 2018 said he was ready to battle with other world body building athletes.

“Winning this competition will give me access to a Pro-card, which is a qualifier for the Singapore World Championship scheduled for July this year,” he said. Although bodybuilding is still struggling with sponsorship from government, Sechele expressed his gratitude to his mentor, Thea Khama and other private sponsors for their support.

Sechele, who is also a qualified judge in the sport, called for more support as he said the sport was expensive, citing the costly food and supplements required for one to stay competitive.

Sechele advised young people who are interested in bodybuilding to refrain from alcohol and drug abuse as bodybuilding just like any other sport, has no room for the use of drugs. ENDS