The North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus has become a notable training ground for competitive bodybuilding under the guidance of coach Tshepo Baloyi. His work with student-athletes has produced provincial qualifiers, national representation and back-to-back USSA titles, raising the campus profile and offering Mahikeng youth a structured sporting pathway.
From athlete to coach: a steady climb
Baloyi, 29, began his involvement in bodybuilding in 2018 after encountering the sport through a friend. With an athletic background in cricket and volleyball from his schooldays at Mlokotwa‑Dube Primary and Daspoort Secondary, he moved from competitor to coach during a steady progression through provincial and university ranks.
Key milestones reported in his career include a provincial runner‑up placing in 2019, a second place in the under‑80kg category at the USSA in 2022 which led to selection for the USSA team at nationals, and then coaching the NWU Mahikeng Campus to consecutive USSA victories in 2024 and 2025. He was also named the NWU Mahikeng Campus Coach of the Year in 2023.
Numbers that matter for Mahikeng sport
The campus programme has increased the presence of Mahikeng athletes on provincial and national stages, with reported successes that include:
- 14 athletes qualifying from the NWU squad to represent North West at national provincial championships;
- 18 athletes taken to the nationals in 2025 under Baloyi’s coaching;
- Back‑to‑back USSA university titles in 2024 and 2025, and a narrow miss on a third in 2026 when the campus finished as runner‑up.
| Year | Result |
|---|---|
| 2018 | First local contest (entry to sport) |
| 2019 | Second place in provincial contest |
| 2022 | Second, USSA under‑80kg; selected for USSA team |
| 2023 | NWU Mahikeng Campus Coach of the Year |
| 2024–2025 | USSA champions (two consecutive titles) |
| 2026 | USSA runner‑up |
Discipline, exposure and local impact
Baloyi emphasises the strict, round‑the‑clock nature of competitive bodybuilding. He told campus media that the sport demands a committed lifestyle:
"Bodybuilding is an intense sport – it takes 24 hours of your life each day. To be a great bodybuilder you must be willing to learn and have a dedicated and committed attitude. You need to live a very strict life."
For Mahikeng this approach matters beyond trophies. A structured campus programme gives students a focused outlet, creates coaching jobs and increases the city’s visibility in university sport circuits. The steady flow of athletes from Mahikeng to provincial and national meets also provides a model for other sports on campus looking to professionalise their development pathways.
Looking ahead
Baloyi’s stated aim for the NWU Mahikeng Campus is to reclaim the USSA title and to achieve a three‑peat — a target narrowly missed this year when the campus finished second. He has emphasised the importance of national exposure for his athletes as a long‑term benefit for the programme.
The campus’ recent record indicates a maturing operation that combines athlete development with competitive ambition. For Mahikeng residents and students seeking a disciplined sporting pursuit, the bodybuilding programme now represents a credible option with a track record of lifting athletes to provincial and national levels.
As the campus attempts to rebuild momentum, local stakeholders — from university sport administrators to community clubs — will be watching to see if the Mahikeng hub can convert recent success into sustained growth and broader sporting opportunities for the city’s youth.
