Bodybuilding: 5 for Arnold Classic in Johannesburg

Five bodybuilders will represent the nation at this year's Arnold Classic Africa Bodybuilding Championship in Johannesburg, South Africa, from Friday to Sunday.

Heavyweight champion and current Man Ghana, Cyril Kofi Adjah, middleweight Godwin Frimpong and William Osei Kankam and lightweight Michael Adu Parnell will be joined by female bodybuilder Barbie Bamfo, a bikini athlete, for the event.

Abdul-Hayye Yartey, the leader of the Ghana team and an executive member of the Ghana Bodybuilding Association, was hopeful that the team would perform creditably in the competition, having scooped five medals at last year's tournament (three silver and two bronze).

"This time, we will bring five gold medals as we are well prepared and the athletes are psyched up for the tournament," he told the Graphic Sports.

The Arnold Classic was instituted across the world by a renowned bodybuilder, actor and one-time Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

He revealed that two months ago, a Ghanaian bodybuilder, John Anum, competed in an Arnold Classic Ohio (USA) and placed sixth out of 13 competitors, which was an impressive feat.

He expressed gratitude to sponsors Iron Man Supplement and Caraboa Energy Drink for their support to the Ghanaian team.