The North-West University (NWU) will have another bodybuilder on the world stage after Letlhogonolo Baloyi was selected to represent South Africa at the 2026 IFBB World Championships in Santa Susanna, Spain. 

He joins fellow NWU bodybuilder Bokang Matsetela, who has also secured a place at the championships after winning two categories at the IFBB South Africa National Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships.

Letlhogonolo’s road to Spain started at the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Bodybuilding Championships. He competed in the men’s physique over-178 cm category and claimed first place. He then went a step further by winning the Overall Men’s Physique title.

The victories gave him momentum heading into the IFBB South African Championships, where he again competed in the men’s physique over-178 cm category. Letlhogonolo kept his winning form and secured first place at national level.

For him, the results reflect months of hard work away from the competition stage. “These results mean a great deal to me because they represent months of discipline, training, nutrition and preparation,” says Letlhogonolo.

He says moving from the university championships to the national stage pushed him to raise his standard rather than become comfortable with his earlier success. “Going from USSA to Nationals challenged me to push beyond what I had already achieved. I wanted to step on the national stage in even better form and prove to myself that I could continue improving.”

His performances at USSA and the national championships formed an important part of his journey towards selection for the world championships.

Letlhogonolo says he approached the national competition with the goal of improving his conditioning, presentation and overall preparation. Winning his category confirmed that the work had paid off.

His attention now turns to Santa Susanna, where he will compete against amateur bodybuilders from around the world while carrying both the South African and the NWU flags.

“Being selected to represent South Africa is an honour that I do not take lightly. It represents the hard work, sacrifices and consistency that go into bodybuilding, including the days when the work happens quietly and nobody sees it,” he says.

The opportunity is particularly meaningful because Letlhogonolo will represent more than himself when he steps onto the international stage. “What makes this opportunity even more meaningful is that I will not only be representing myself. I will be representing South Africa and the NWU on an international stage. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey.”

Letlhogonolo now hopes to use the world championships to test himself against international competition and gain valuable experience.

“Going to Santa Susanna is a reminder to me that the work you put in when nobody is watching eventually speaks for itself. I am looking forward to testing myself against athletes from around the world and giving everything I have to represent my country and university with pride.”

His selection adds another international milestone to NWU bodybuilding and follows a season in which the athletes from the university have made their presence felt at both university and national level.

Photo: Letlhogonolo Baloyi