Top > Sport > 2006 > April > 2006-04-23

Batley Aims for Bodybuilding World Title in Russia

Alvi Batley, who won two prizes at last year`s World Show, is positive that she can outperform the world`s best at the Universe Bodybuilding Show in the Ladies? Light category in Russia in August. The petite 37-year-old has her sights on the title, any she will not give up easily. "Last year was a very good year for me, and this year was kicked off with a good win at the SA Classics last month. Next up is the African Games in Bloemfontein to which I have just been invited.?

Batley?s achievements are even more significant when one considers that she?s a diabetic who needs five insulin shots a day. Her achievements and physical performance, in light of her medical condition, have been so exceptional that top South African sports researcher Dr Tim Noakes has made Batley a subject of his studies. "He phones me regularly to check if I am still at it, and continually expresses amazement at my body?s performance under such strain.?

Born on St Helena Island, Batley and her family moved to South Africa when she was only two. When she was 16, she joined her sisters in the US to afford her a better education. While working in a gymnasium one day, she saw top bodybuilder Gladys Portuguess, who at the time was married to iron-pumping movie star Jean- Claude van Damme. ?I had already been interested in body development while studying personal training, but seeing Portuguess was an inspiration. I wanted to look like her and I decided there and then to start bodybuilding in earnest.?