WITH his bulging biceps, thick ropes of veins and abs of steel he looks like a superhero ripped straight from the pages of a comic book.
In fact, Sibusiso Kotelo could be called the Hulk of Joburg - a 1,86-m tall, 138-kg block of rock-hard muscle who has his sights set on becoming the best bodybuilder on the planet.
The 31-year-old is no stranger to record setting: he's the first black South African to get a card from the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness, which makes him eligible to compete as a professional.
"It was a life-changing experience because it validated the work my coach and I put in and will help us reach our dream, Sibusiso tells YOU. "We also made history because not only was I the first black South African pro bodybuilder, I was 27 at the time, which made me the youngest South African to get a card."
His mission now is to go to the Mr Olympia contest, the bodybuilding world's most prestigious competition.
"And I'm going to win it," he announces, chatting to us at the Unique Physique gym in Sandton where he trains and works as a trainer. "It's been my dream since I started bodybuilding. You have to win a pro show to get an invite to Mr Olympia - it's where the cream of the crop compete.
"Mr Olympia is in Romania in October, but I'm targeting the 2024 competition so I'll be doing the Japan Pro bodybuilding championship in November to hopefully win and qualify."
Sibusiso's success didn't come overnight. When he arrived in Joburg from Durban, his hometown, all he had to his name was a car "and R152 in the bank".
He was living in his car and sometimes sleeping in the basement of the gym he was training at.
Sibusiso was only just starting out as a bodybuilder and although he had a small sponsorship with a protein-shake manufacturer, it wasn't paying the grocery bills.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 7 September 2023-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 7 September 2023-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
DIDDY'S DISGRACE
A video showing singer Cassie being attacked by Sean Diddy Combs reveals the disturbing reality of their relationship
THE BABY-FACED ASSASSIN
Manchester City’s Phil Foden is fast becoming one of the top talents in the English Premier League
OODLES OF POODLES
Kaz’s latest dog show triumph is the culmination of years as one of the world’s top trainers of the breed
MY LIFE IS PURE HELL
A reader wrote to YOU recounting her harrowing experience of living with a narcissist for decades. Pieter Van Zyl relays her story
THE LOTTO CURSE
Over the years Andy Carter has helped 2 000 lottery winners adapt to life as newly minted millionaires. Here he shares the worst mistakes he’s seen people make and reveals why instead of being a passport to freedom, a jackpot win can actually make things far more complicated
IT'S NOT YOU IT'S ADHD
We ask experts to explain the rise in late diagnosis of the condition in women
BITTER SWEET
Arina was diagnosed with cancer while carrying her miracle baby and made the tough choice to start chemo while pregnant
SHE'S GOT THE POWER
Monica Lewinsky was on suicide watch after the humiliating Bill Clinton scandal, but she has now turned her life around and become a force to be reckoned with
IT'S ALL OVER!
For 26 years she was the Bok coach’s support system on the side lines – travelling with him for work, taking care of the kids and celebrating his world cup victories. Now Rassie and Nicolene have divorced
JUST NO WAY THIS IS GOING TO WORK!
Separate houses, time apart, fundamental differences – fears are mount for Ben and Jen’s marriage