Durban - Bodybuilding may be considered a male-dominated sport, but Renisha Ramdhani is determined to make her mark in the industry.
Due to ill health, the 22-year-old Parlock bachelor of commerce student decided to get in shape, and followed in her father Philip Ramdhani’s footsteps, and started weight training.
“I wasn’t always the healthiest teen, and that took a toll in my last year of high school. I suffered with anaemia, and that weakened my immune system.
"I was tired of always feeling fatigued, so I decided it was time to make a dramatic change in my lifestyle,” she explained.
“Thankfully, my dad has a history of training for the Comrades marathons, boxing and other sport.
"He motivated me to work hard towards my health and fitness goals. In three months, I shed 15kg through training and strict dieting.”
For Ramdhani, who also does boxing and swimming, weight lifting had become an addiction, as she loved seeing her body transform.
“I started doing research on bodybuilding and came across a video by The International Federation of Body Building and Fitness (IFBB). That was it.
“I realised that was where I wanted to be - on a platform that proved the power of hard work, discipline and courage.”
With the help of her trainer, Keshav Saikoolal, she continues to flourish in the sport.
“To maintain my weight, I train the whole week. If I want to rest, I do a light cardio session,” she said.
“My diet is pretty precise. Each meal is weighed on a food scale.
"For example, I will eat 125g chicken and 100g brown rice. I drink roughly around 5 to 6 litres of water a day, and when I prepare for a competition, I cut out all the cheat meals.
"It’s strictly clean eating. I eat six meals a day, each being three hours apart. Timing is crucial.”
One of her biggest challenges is maintaining her diet.
“Dieting requires a lot of will power, especially when you’re surrounded by people who do not understand or have the mental ability to do the same. I’ve always heard the occasional ‘you only live once, eat what you want’.”
She has also heard remarks that women should not lift weights.
“It has been a challenge to block out the noise to keep focused. But, at the end of the day, bodybuilding, for me, is mind blowing. Each challenge has made me stronger.
“This journey is about constant growth that leads to success.
"While body building was perceived as a male-dominated sport, this is really not the case.
"All bodybuilding federations have welcomed women into the industry, and I was always treated with the utmost respect. Everybody is in it for the love of the sport.”
She said she drew inspiration from fellow South African athletes including Amas, Lara-Kenyan Thomas, Samantha Naidoo and Annelize Döhne.
Ramdhani, who is studying part-time towards a certificate in fitness, recently placed second in her first IFBB novice show.
She attributes her success to her parents.
“I am grateful to my amazing mother and dad, who give me love and support to pursue anything in life. My dad has been the biggest role model, and is the backbone of all my achievements.”
What keeps Ramdhani motivated?
“I constantly remind myself about what I want to achieve, the goals I have set out. This goes for everything. Once you remember your ‘why’, there is no room for fear or excuses.”