Kurt Smith from Woodlands is gathering all bodybulding titles up for grabs and was crowned as Mr South Africa at the SA Bodybuilding Championship on Saturday 1 October in the Parow Civic Centre.
His dream is to represent South Africa overseas, but a lack of funds may jeopardise his opportunity to represent South Africa overseas in bodybuilding.
He would love to take part in the Natural Olympia in France or Las Vegas and he believes if he plans it well, he will be able to represent South Africa on the international stage.
He is a member of Chezzie’s Gym in Mitchell’s Plain and the current Welterweight Ignite Classics and Senior Overal Winner (December 2020) and the Cape Peninsula Classics 2021 Welterweight winner, Master 1 and Senior Overall Winner. On Saturday 1 October he competed at the SA Championship in Parow Civic.
“My passion has always been to develop a healthy body and mind. I fell in love with bodybuilding because it has granted me both. I love the lifestyle – the training, the healthy food etc . . . it makes me happy!” he says.
His son was inspirational in him taking up bodybuilding.
“Jamie inspired me to be a superhero! My friend Lindsay Pentolfe is the other one inspiring me. We have been friends for more than 30 years. We started bodybuilding with whatever we could find back then and his perseverance inspired me. If you want to be successful in bodybuilding you have to make a lot of sacrifices to be in tip-top form.
“I am required to go and sleep at 20:00 every evening and wake up at 04:00 every morning for seven days a week. I must have my six to eight meals prepped every day otherwise I fall behind with my conditioning. My family is involved with my training and I have to sacrifice my time with them because of being an athlete. I have lost a lot of friends because of this lifestyle due to not being able to make time because of my training,” Smith says.
He admits that he cheats with eating in the off-season and eats whatever the family decides to eat, but in moderation.
“Pizza, gatsby, fish and chips are my favourite cheat meal choices. Bodybuilding is the only sport that I am doing. It is very demanding and I cannot accommodate another sport,” he says.
Smith attended Lotus River Primary, Grassy Park Senior Secondary and The South African College of Psychology.
His advice to the youth of Mitchell’s Plain and in general is that fitness will always transpire to healthier choices.
“It’s a proud feeling to be part of a team and to make Western Province in sport. Bodybuilding or any sport is an opportunity for personal empowerment that can be enhanced through skill and determination. As soon as I can establish the sport and science academy I’ll visit schools to promote bodybuilding and sport,” he says.
What people don’t know about him is that he is a disc jockey and plays at functions and used to play in clubs before. He is also studying to become a research psychologist.
Other bodybuilding titles under his belt include:Western Province Championship 2021 – Welterweight 1st place, Master 1 First Place and Senior Overall Winner; South African Championship 2021 – Welterweight 1st place and Senior Overall Winner; INBA Pro Qualifier 2022 – Men’s open bodybuilding 1st place and Masters 1st Place; Iron Man Classics 2022 – Masters 1st place; Western Province Champs – Welterweight 2nd Place.
