He did it for his country

Featherbrooke resident Nico Fourie was among the 13 athletes who represented South Africa at the international bodybuilding championships that were held in Australia recently.

According to Fourie, all the athletes who made the South African team were placed in the top 10 of the various categories that they competed in.

More than 200 athletes from 14 different countries participated in the championships.

This was his first time participating in the world championships and Fourie came in fifth place. He competed against 16 other athletes in his category. “I obviously hoped to do much better than that, but I’m happy with the results.”

Participating on the international stage is one patriotic experience Fourie is glad to have. “I just have that proud feeling of representing my country, because what I did that was beyond personal achievement I was also doing it for my country.”

With the sense of sportsmanship within him, Fourie said he is already preparing and hopes to get better results at next year’s world championships.

Loosening up a bit a putting his diet off for a while is one of the things that Fourie looks forward to during this festive season. “I can now enjoy all those braais and won’t have to pack my own food to gatherings,” joked Fourie.

Next year the championships will be hosted on South African soil.

Alet Lemmer, President of National Amateur Body Building Association and the World Fitness Federation said they are planning to host the biggest and best championship in 2015, “much better than the one hosted in Australia this year.”