Hard Work and Discipline Paid Off for Bodybuilder Corina Dettke

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

SOLOMON Islands bodybuilder Corina Dettke’s years of hard work at the gym and strict dietary discipline paid off when he earned the silver medal at the recently concluded XVII Pacific Games 2023 in Honiara.

Corina, 29, came in second in the athletic physique under 165cm competition finals in the women’s physique category at the recently held competition at the Maranatha Hall, east of Honiara.

“It means a lot to me as the first female bodybuilder in the Solomon Islands to perform, representing my country on home ground. I feel like I am accomplishing one of my goals.

“I really feel proud of all the sacrifices I put into my training leading up to the games. It’s also just another stepping stone towards the gold medal. Since our facilities come in last minutes, my training.

“I only prepared for five months. I also got sick with the flu during the competition, but I just did my best. I know I only gave probably 60% for this show. However, I am still happy to win silver for my country,’’ Corina told RAWSPORT.

The Solomon Islands female champion bodybuilder set her sights on the 2024 South Pacific Bodybuilding Championships in New Caledonia.

“The New Caledonia Bodybuilding Federation has told me to continue with my training because they will organize the next bodybuilding show for the South Pacific Bodybuilding Championships in 2024.

“I just need more support because I don’t get a lot of support either; I am not a sponsored athlete. I am responsible for myself. So everything I do for bodybuilding comes out of my own pocket,’’ she said.

Corina’s immediate goals are to become the first Solomon Islander female to win the Pacific title in bodybuilding and to focus on her career and purpose, continuing to make her family proud and serve as a positive role model for her country in and out of the sport.

She thanked the Solomon Islands National Bodybuilding Federation (SIBF), the National Government, and Prime Minister Sogavare for being part of the country’s bodybuilding team.

“It’s really good to see him. I was really proud to receive my medal from him. I would like to thank the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS) for assisting me in my training to gain as much knowledge as I can in a short amount of time just to get to the stage.

“I really feel happy for my fans and supporters that have watched me grow in my bodybuilding journey and to continue to watch me grow to make it to the Pacific Games. I thank them for seeing my journey and how far I am going. Because it is not an easy journey, but I never give up.

“My goal as a Miss Solomon and first female bodybuilder is to become the first Miss South Pacific of Bodybuilding. That is my aim. I would not stop unless I achieved that goal,’’ she said.

Corina is not new to winning national and regional bodybuilding titles, and she believes that the power of self-discipline was the main factor in shaping her bodybuilding career from day zero.

She described how staying disciplined had played a significant role in her journey as the first woman in the Solomon Islands to compete in the sport of bodybuilding.

“I’ve made sacrifices to maintain my level of self-discipline since joining sports a couple of years ago, like avoiding parties and distractions when with friends,” she said. “Surrounding myself with supportive people and maintaining a positive environment has been crucial.”

“My spirituality and mental health have also been sources of strength,” she added.

In 2017, she began training at the gym and noticed there were no female athletes in the sport of bodybuilding.

“So, I decided to forge my own path. I’m someone who follows through on my ideas, and I’m determined to put in the work to achieve my goals,” Corina said.

For Corina, her family had no idea about her involvement until they saw her face in the local newspaper when she won the bodybuilding title of Ms. Solomon in 2018.

Over the years, she has gained significant muscle mass, which has taken time and dedication to build and maintain.

“My current statistics would include my weight, body measurements, and other physical parameters that are continually evolving as I progress in the sport,” Corina said.

Being a woman in a male-dominated sport and growing up in a Melanesian country where wearing a bikini in public was considered taboo, Corina said she faced a lot of challenges and criticism, but she didn’t let that deter her.

For now, Corina’s goal is to continue excelling in the sport and represent her country to the best of her abilities.

“I take pride in being a 100% natural athlete, avoiding any performance-enhancing drugs, smoking, or drinking. My focus is not only on physical training but also on mental health. Maintaining a clear and positive mindset is crucial. My training program is tailored to my body type and specific physique goals, with the aim of bringing an improved package every time I step onto the stage,” she said.

Corina’s diet is personalized to suit her body’s needs and primarily consists of low carbs, plenty of fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat.

“Staying hydrated is essential, so I consume about 5 liters of water daily. I do not consume alcohol or smoke,” she said.

Corina was born and raised in the Solomon Islands by her parents of mixed Melanesian, Polynesian, and European roots. She is the eldest of two younger brothers.

When Corina’s inspirational journey into the bodybuilding sport began, she was 23 years old. She was greatly influenced by her younger brother, Bo Dettke, who was an active supporter of bodybuilders in Honiara. Additionally, her brother supported the country’s bodybuilding team, which participated in the Honiara South Pacific Body Building Championship in 2017. Rocky Teklem made history in 2017 by becoming the first person from the Solomon Islands to win the South Pacific Body Building Championship as the overall winner.

Corina became the first female bodybuilder in the Solomon Islands to win the Miss Solomon title in the 2018 Solomon Islands National Bodybuilding Federation (SINBBF) Championship. She placed second in the 2018 Fiji Oceania Body Building Championships. She went on to win the title of Miss Solomon Islands Physique in 2019 and 2023.

She attended Woodford International School from kindergarten to grade 9 and graduated in 2009. After completing her studies abroad from 2014 to 2016, she graduated with a degree in business management. In 2018, she transitioned to becoming a full-time bodybuilding athlete and also took on the job as marketing manager and supervisor. Currently, she is pursuing her studies in health and nutrition in Australia.

“Additionally, I aim to complete my studies in health and nutrition and, hopefully, give back to fellow Solomon Islanders in the future,” she said.