Hende-Mari crowned as WFF’s Miss Universe

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Hende-Mari crowned as WFF’s Miss Universe
Hende-Mari Strydom was crowned as the World Fitness Federation (WFF) Miss Universe in Orlando, USA last week after winning the Performance Figure title. PHOTO: DANNY D'MELLO

Bloemfontein’s Hende-Mari Strydom was crowned as the World Fitness Federation (WFF) Miss Universe in the Performance Figure division in Orlando, USA.
The 32-year-old Strydom and Wilaiporn Wannaclan (Thailand), who coincidently is the president of WFF in Thailand, were called back twice for what is termed as a “pose down” in the sport, before the judges made their final decision.
Strydom was eventually crowned Miss Universe Performance Figure by the narrowest of margins, after eight of the fifteen judges gave the South African thumbs up and the other seven cast their vote in favour of the contestant from Thailand. Kristine Belverte of Latvia claimed the bronze medal.
Strydom spoke to Courant from Orlando and said: “I was overwhelmed when they called me to step forward as champion. It felt so unreal, but I am very thankful. I walked on air for at least two days afterwards.”
She furthermore explained that the competition, under the umbrella of the WFF, is not focused on heavy body-builders, but rather fitness body-builders and sport models who take part in categories according to their weight and height. She added: “My division can be described as smaller and softer and the last thing I have as an objective is to build a manly figure.”
Strydom, who weighs in at 55kg and is 1,69m tall, is the only South African who managed to win at the event in Orlando and to be awarded a WFF pro- card. This means that she may only compete in professional shows and not at national level anymore.
She explained: “I am from now on obliged to represent the South African WFF at
international level. Professional status is the highest accolade a fitness athlete and/or body-builder can be awarded in the WFF, but it is extremely difficult to stay on top. For this reason, I will first take a break and complete my MBA before I start training seriously again.”
Strydom also told Courant that the sad part of her Orlando Miss Universe competition tour was that they went out to celebrate her pro-card and opted for pancakes rather than a nightclub and it was at the same time that 50 people were gunned down in the biggest one-man massacre at the Pulse restaurant only a few kilometres from where they were celebrating.
Strydom’s Miss Universe title is more impressive when you consider that she only took up body-building in 2014. – Rufus Botha

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