Here are three incredible facts you probably don’t know about your fellow Tarsonians:
- At least two of them compete nationally in their chosen sport
- One of them will play at the Touch Rugby World Cup in Malaysia mid-April
- The other competes nationally in Pole Sports and is participating in the competition this coming Saturday
These two Tarsonians are Bradley Molefe and Alicia Heunis, respectively. Bradley, a marketing Call Centre Agent at Tarsus Distribution, has been playing touch rugby at a provincial level since 2009. He will be heading to Malaysia later mid-April to compete in the international Touch Rugby World Cup in Malaysia.
Alicia, an Administrator in Sales and Services at Printacom, has long been interested in dancing and fell in love with the sport of pole dancing. She spent three years practicing and honing her skills and has been competing at a professional level in the “Pole Sports” category as of 2019.
We sent them some questions about their activities; here’s what they had to say.
Alicia:
What sport are you participating in?
National Pole & Aerial Championships 2019
What made you get into the sport?
Since a young age, I always loved how graceful people looked when they dance, the confidence they have and the passion they performed with. I wanted to be them.
I was never able to do any dancing until I was 18 and did some Latin American and Ballroom dancing for a year. Due to moving to Bela-Bela, I had to stop.
After 2 years, I came back to Johannesburg and went for a trial class close to where I live. The studio is called Vertical Vixen. I fell head over heels in LOVE with this sport.
How many years have you been playing on a pro level?
I started competing this year. I have been working for three years to get myself to this level.
At what level are you competing?
Artistic Pole Amateur Division
Your highest achievement within the sport?
Going to Nationals this year. I am also competing in Arnold Classic Pole Icon in May
Your biggest challenge faced in the sport?
My biggest challenge was to realize that this is a long term goal to get to this point. We live in a society where we are looking for instant gratification and competing in this sport, is not only physical work but mental too and it takes time.
We need to be fair to our bodies otherwise we end up with injuries. Something that people don’t realize is that your skin needs to be conditioned, for example.
The pull on your skin in some tricks hurts so much sometimes that it gives you that “no, I will never be able to do this and get used to it” mentality.
However, it does get better and everything that you do doesn’t matter how big or small, brings you so much closer to your goal(s). Keep going and keep pushing. Consistency is key.
How are you feeling about the competition? Have you prepped to the best of your ability?
I definitely have been exercising and preparing so much for the 13th of April. For three years I have been building strength and mental fitness to get to this point and it is so worth it.
I am nervous but my excitement for this moment is so much more. A lot of work went into this routine, and I have so much love for what I enjoy doing.
Upcoming Competition
At 6 pm on Saturday, the 13th of April, Alicia will be competing at the National Pole & Aerial Championships being held at Evolution Dance in Blairgowrie, Johannesburg, in the Artistic Pole Amateur Division.
If you would like to support her, you can purchase tickets for the event here.
And if you’d like to see just what Pole Sports entails, check out this gallery of photos on the official Pole Sports Federation of South Africa site.
Bradley:
What sport are you participating in?
Touch Rugby World Cup
What made you get into the sport?
Rugby and social development
How many years have you been playing on a pro level?
I have been playing provincially since 2009, so 10 years.
At what level are you competing?
Senior Touch Rugby World Cup Malaysia 2019
Your highest achievement within the sport?
Silver in senior nationals 2018 and going to the World Cup 2019
Your biggest challenge faced in the sport?
As have not competed against Australia and New Zealand yet, Northern Gauteng and Western Cape were both quite a challenge.
How are you feeling about the competition? Have you prepped to the best of your ability?
Seeing as it is close, I am feeling fit, strong, and excited. I have been training really hard and continue to play and train every day.
There you have it! At least two of your fellow Tarsonians are also awesome after hours!
