The event took place earlier this month at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, where approximately 600 participants from the ages of 6 to 60 years old were hosted.

Eight police officials from the Northern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng participated in the championships.

Two police officers from the Northern Cape, namely Shadrack Vava and Sam Nkosi received bronze and silver medals in two of the categories.

Vava received a bronze medal in the Kata and Kumite categories, while Nkosi received silver for Kata and bronze for Kumite.

The SAPS team altogether received 8 medals - 2 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze - at the Championships.

The championships were hosted under the Arnold Sport Festival, which according to www.arnoldclassicafrica.com, hosts multi-sport festivals on six-continents each year, including the Arnold Classic Africa, which takes place in Johannesburg, Gauteng, each May.

The festival is co-founded by American actor, politician and former body builder Arnold Schwarzenegger (71), who was in the country for the festival two weekends ago.

While in the country, Schwarzenegger was seen getting kicked in the back by a South African man in a video that went viral on various social networks, including Twitter and Facebook.

The news of the attack also went on to make international headlines, however, the Terminator-actor said he would not be pressing criminal charges against his attacker but rather called on those sharing the video to focus on the young athletes that participated in the sports festival.

The Arnold Sports Festival USA is held in Columbus, Ohio, in March, followed by events in Melbourne, Australia, Brazil, Hong Kong and Spain.

All events feature professional bodybuilding and related contests, amateur bodybuilding, strength and combat sports, a large health and fitness expo and youth events that vary from continent to continent.

The SAPS encourages members to participate in sporting codes as it contributes to members’ physical and emotional well-being.  

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