MOUNT Gambier natural bodybuilder Cindy Itzerott has returned from world competition in the United States with a swag of medals and trophies in her respective classes of competition.
Itzerott competed in the International Natural Bodybuilders Association/Professional Natural Bodybuilders Association World Cup, claiming first place in the figure novice, plus second in both the figure classic and figure open.
She also competed in the Natural Olympia events where she claimed the honours in the physique novice and second in the figure classic.
The events cater for natural bodybuilders, rather than those who use certain drugs to improve their bodies, with regular testing conducted to ensure competitors stick to the required regime.
Itzerott represented Australia at the events, going away as part of the national team and said the competition was “pretty intense”.
“It was pretty amazing to do so well,” she said.
“It takes a lot of hard work and effort, but was definitely worth it.
“I want to go back and do it again now.”
After just three years in the sport, the result was even more impressive, with a hard road leading to the competition.
Itzerott said it took a lot of discipline, not just with exercise, but with nutrition as one of the major factors leading to success.
“It is a way of living with the food and the exercise,” she said.
“I just fell in love with it, plus you feel good on top of it.
“You learn about your body, what it likes and what it does not like, how it responds to training and the food you put into it.”
“I would probably put in around 20-24 hours a week split across training, then you add food prep and it bumps it up a bit as well.
“It is almost like having another part time job, but I enjoy it.”
Itzerott said exercise for her was easy, but the commitment to the sport required some balance.
“I still eat some junk food and have a few drinks, but I do not do it all the time,” she said.
“In my off season I am a lot more relaxed.
“There is a lot of time, effort and money you put into it and it is hard to stay focused sometimes.
“But when you are close to a comp you can see the stage, so you have to keep focused.”
It is that focus that has taken Itzerott to the pinnacle of her novice career in such a short time and she now has a new goal in sight, which will present a whole new challenge.
“My goal will move into the pro division,” she said.
“This competition was a pro/amateur show, so you get to watch all the professional athletes.
“What I saw on the stage, it is a huge step up to the pro ranks.
“I will have to do some substantial growing and I’m confident I can get there.
“I would like to say I could turn pro in a year, but it will probably take two before I am even close to being competitive.”
However, Itzerott was not far from gaining a professional card after her performances.
“If you win the open overall you get a pro card and the event I did for that, I missed out by one,” she said.
“The woman who I was competing against won just about everything she was in, got a pro card and won the pro event.”
While it all seems like an incredible feat, Itzerott still has more she wants to achieve.
“I have reached the pinnacle in my novice categories, but you are never happy,” she said.
“There is always something you want to improve.”
