UK beckons our bodybuilder

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KNYSNA NEWS - Local bodybuilder Anthea Jantjies last week took part in the Physical Culture Association (PCA) SA Bodybuilding Championships, where she was crowned the overall winner in the Novice Bikini competition, thereby qualifying for the global contest.

The former primary school teacher from Hornlee had qualified for the nationals after she finished second in the Novice Bikini division at the 2019 PCA Nelson Mandela Bay Championships in July this year.

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But simply qualifying didn't mean Anthea would be able to go as she required financial assistance to help make her dreams come true.

She decided to risk dipping into savings she had accumulated over the years to further her studies towards teaching special-needs children. But she had to take the risk, Anthea said, because she lives for bodybuilding. "This is my dream and my passion, and I want to inspire others to never give up on their dreams."

The gamble paid off, as she made the trip to Kempton Park, Gauteng last week to show the country the level of excellence that Knysna is able to produce. She initially took part in the Novice Toned Bikini division, which she won to gain herself promotion to take part in the Overall Novice Bikini competition against the winners of the Novice Trained Bikini and Novice Masters Bikini divisions.

Anthea once again proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that she has a lengthy career in bodybuilding ahead of her when she managed to win the Overall Novice Bikini competition, in the process earning herself a spot in the PCA World Championships next year. Set to take place in Birmingham in 2020, the world competition will be yet another pricey endeavour for Anthea.

In light of this, the passionate athlete is still scrambling around to garner funds for the trip. "I hope people can now see that I truly deserve a chance, now that I can go international," she said.

If you would like to contact Anthea in relation to her pending contest, you can email her on antheajan@icloud.com.

Anthea Jantjies last week was crowned overall winner in the Novice Bikini competition.