Xolani Ndimande has made history as the first black man to qualify for the Kettlebell World Championships. Now, he has to get there!
Story Hayley Dennyson Pictures Brett Blignaut
Growing up in a family of 12 in Shongweni, Xolani Ndimande dreamed of being an accountant or a professional soccer player, but life took a different direction and today he is part of an exciting new vision – to grow kettlebell sport in South Africa.
“These are exciting times,” says Xolani. “Kettlebells make you strong and healthy, but they also offer so many opportunities. Without them, I wouldn’t be planning to leave African soil for the first time!”
So what are kettlebells? Kettlebells were first used in the marketplaces of Eastern Europe to measure weight over 400 years ago, but become popular as a way to develop strength and endurance, particularly in Russia. Kettlebells, as a sport, is very technical, offering a workout for the body and mind.
“Try lifting two 24kg weights, over and over, for 10 minutes. It’s incredible how hard you have to work to overcome the discomfort and keep your mind calm,” says Colin Harris, owner of Flux Fluid Motion and the man responsible for introducing Xolani to the sport.
Unlike some other sports, which focus on strength for one explosive move, kettlebells refine natural movement, making it more economical.
“There’s huge scope for SA to excel in kettlebells,” says Colin, who has worked with top sportsmen, including Chad le Clos and Freddie Michalak. “For me, it’s a golden opportunity to teach and inspire people.”
Colin (and Flux Fluid Motion) is affiliated with the International Union of Kettlebell Lifting (IUKL) and works with in-house biokineticists to ensure that anyone training at the gym is well looked after.
Colin, himself, is an accomplished athlete, having competed at the highest level in martial arts and taking part in the Kettlebell World Championships in 2015 – the first time South Africa has been represented. “It was difficult gathering the funds to get there, but competing and being part of the international kettlebell community was worth it,” he says. “The sense of camaraderie was amazing and I got to meet some of my heroes.”
The World Championships see competitors take part in three types of lift – jerk, long cycle and snatch – with the aim to complete as many repetitions as possible in 10 minutes, all with perfect technique. Colin came fifth in his division and ninth overall, competing against hundreds of contestants from around the world, including Russia and the USA, where kettlebells attract huge attention and investment. “Finishing 10 minutes with two 32kg bells was the hardest thing I have ever done,” he says.
To ensure that he keeps himself and Flux Fluid Motion at the forefront of exercise science, Colin works closely with Russian coach and honoured master of sport, Arseny Zhernakov. “It’s my long-term goal to achieve the ‘master of sport’ accolade.”
Xolani and Colin have known each other for a long time, but it was only a couple of years ago that Xolani joined the Flux Fluid Motion team. In that time, hard work and dedication have seen him achieve great progress. “I find Xolani’s passion and hunger to succeed inspiring,” says Colin.
“It is so amazing, I never thought my face and name would be on television or in the newspaper! Now all people from across the world will know Xolani,” smiles the mild-mannered man. *
To help Xolani get to the Kettlebell World Championships in Kazakhstan this October, call Colin on 081 550 2226.
