A journey that started in 2016 with Geraldine van Vuuren supporting a friend at a bodybuilding competition ended up in love at first sight.
The East London athlete says it is the best thing that happened in her life, as it has resulted in her making the SA bodybuilding team eight years later.
Van Vuuren will represent SA at the IFBB World Women’s Championships in December, in Tokyo, Japan.
A personal trainer by profession, she took up the challenge in 2017 and lost 30kg to compete in the sport in the Beach Bikini category, where she came first in the IFBB Eastern Cape Provincials and sixth in the SA Championships.
“I wouldn’t say that there was a specific person who inspired me but being a personal trainer, helping my clients achieve their personal fitness goals, was all the inspiration needed to come back after my break to prepare physically and mentally for the step up to the wellness category,” she said.
Looking for a greater challenge in 2018, the Clarendon alumna moved up to Fitness Bikini and received an invite to compete in the Arnolds Africa Classic in Sandton, Johannesburg, which was her first international stage competition.
After attaining fourth in the FBB Eastern Cape Provincials and sixth in the SA Champs in 2019, Van Vuuren took a five-year break from competing to polish her stances.
That worked for her, she said, as she came back with a bang in 2024, winning the provincials and claiming fourth place in the IFBB SA Bodybuilding Championships in KwaZulu-Natal at the beginning of August, where she made the SA team.
“This is my first time to be selected for a South African team, a dream and a personal goal since the first time I stepped out on stage,” Van Vuuren said.
“I think this is every athlete’s goal to represent their country at an international level.
“I’m so honoured that in December I will be representing my country, and will be part of a team showcasing the bodybuilding talents we have in this beautiful country.
“Aside from my teammates, most of the international competitors are very much unknown.
“As an athlete, this is where you have got to believe in yourself and your preparation.
“To know that when you get on that stage, you are in the best physical and mental state, as you are also unknown to them.
“It’s going to be tough, but a challenge that I am really looking forward to,” she said.
With the IFBB Federation providing little financial support towards the Japan trip, Van Vuuren is busy with various fundraising campaigns.
“So, a stressful few months ahead, not even to mention training programmes and strict diets.
“I’m sure we will reach our financial goals,” she said.
With bodybuilding in SA not having had a long history and being seen as a male-dominated sport, she feels the sport is now transitioning, and women’s bodybuilding is growing.
“I feel that women are getting more involved in this sport and women’s physiques are starting to get more respected and I hope that female and male bodybuilding will grow and be supported as it is in other countries.”
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