SAPS member and SA top bodybuilder Mokgoshi humbled by National Excellence Award
Mokgoshi also came out guns blazing as he was recognised at the SAPS 9th National Excellence Awards under the theme: Encouraging Innovation and Rewarding Excellence for his Service.
South African police officer Sergeant Hansie Mokgoshi at the 9th edition National Excellence Awards. Picture: Supplied.
JOHANNESBURG – Not only did he reign supreme at the 2023 International Federation of Body Building and Fitness (IBFF) World Championship in Koper, Slovenia.
He was recently honoured and lauded as a remarkable cop by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
At the same time, he is not resting on his laurels because partaking in Mr Olympia is his next ambition this year.
Meet Sergeant Hansie Mokgoshi, who is fixed on winning after he raised the bar and attracted competition.
“I woke up the sleeping lions by winning that title everyone is now prepping against me, I will only stay in my lane and drive at my speed, I believe in this saying, 'if it’s not broken don't fix it'," he said of his gold medal victory at the IBFF World Championships.
“I am humbled, and this award came as a surprise, but it means that the journey is only starting, I'm going back to the drawing board and setting up a new game plan for the future, to be a champ is easy but to maintain the status of being a champ takes a different kind of character and attitude."
Mokgoshi also came out guns blazing as he was recognised at the SAPS 9th National Excellence Awards under the theme: Encouraging Innovation and Rewarding Excellence for his Service.
“You win and stay hungry for more. Thank you to SAPS Miniter Bheki Cele, National Commissioner Gen: Masemola and All Senior Management for the recognition of the hard work I've put into my preparation for the world championship,” he said at the ceremony.
The 43-year-old originally from New Eersterus, Hammanskraal told Eyewitness News that he would defend his title this year.
“I woke up the sleeping lions by winning that title everyone is now prepping against me, I will only stay in my lane and drive at my speed, I believe in this saying, 'if it’s not broken don't fix it'."
Mokgoshi, a police officer working at the SAPS Tshwane Academy as a physical fitness trainer had to fight to get back to his competitive physics. This is after undergoing an operation for a shoulder injury in 2018, shortly after winning the Mr Universe title in Italy and obtaining his pro-card.
“I made a comeback in 2021 at the IBFF All Africa Cup and got 2nd place. I was motivated and started to work a bit harder, focusing on my weak points to improve my physique. Then I competed again at IBFF All Africa Cup 2023 on 16 September, and I got 1st place and got an invitation to the IBFF World Championships in Slovenia where I won the PRO overall lineup.”
READ: Hansie Mokgoshi dominates at the IBFF World Championship in Slovenia
The SAPS member grew up with a father who was a bodybuilder and boxer in the 60’s and 70’s.
At the age of 10, he chose Kyokoshin karate - a style of stand-up, full-contact karate from Japan.
Mokgoshi possesses a 1st brown belt in the discipline. He then fell in love with bodybuilding and took part in his first World Championship in France in 2010 where he came 4th.
“The career we choose needs fit and mentally healthy people, already what we encounter when on duty is stressful and depressing. Let’s take part in sports and gym to distress for the sake of families.”
Mokgoshi told Eyewitness News that he sees a need to get youngsters into bodybuilding as it fosters discipline and will help remove the youth from the streets, and teach them about a healthy lifestyle that removes them from drugs and gangsterism.
“I will be happy if I can see more of the upcoming athletes rise in the ranks and uphold the SA flag high it's about time for me to work towards competing in Mr Olimpia, that is my next stop.”