NTPowerHouse Talks

FULL NAME: Jojo Ntiforo

BIRTHDATE: 3rd December 1973

BIRTHPLACE: Kumasi, GHANA

BROTHERS AND SISTERS: 4 brothers
(3 older 1 younger)

PRESENT HOME: New Mexico, USA

MARITAL STATUS: Single

HEIGHT, WEIGHT: 1.78 m (5'10'')
Contest weight: 97 kg (213 lbs)
Off season: 122 kg (270 lbs)

He has one of the best physiques and looks like Lee Haney with his great shape and proportions. He's determined to reach the upper levels of the IFBB and we think he has the potential to do so very quickly. Jojo is from Ghana, very easy going, very personable, and despite his busy schedule he has kindly granted NTPowerHouse this interview.

Jojo, where are you from? Are you Ghanaian or American?
I am Ghanaian. Born in Kumasi Ghana in December 1973, however my family moved to the US in 1975.

Do you still travel to Africa? do you have African friends?
I have not been back to Africa yet, but I do plan to visit soon. There are not too many Africans where I live in New Mexico, but one of my weightlifting partners and close friend Cyril Muyonga is from Kenya.

Some IFBB champions are blamed for not being natural bodybuilders, do you share this opinion?
The IFBB is the largest bodybuilding federation in the world with somewhere around 150 countries affiliated with the organization. With such a highly competitive field along with high stakes prize money and sponsorship, many athletes will do what ever they can to gain an advantage over the field. I find that competitors with lesser genetic potential will often push the envelope by doing things to the extreme which is very dangerous also bad for the sport. If they were to incorporate more strict drug testing, it would separate the truly genetically gifted from the rest of the field which I feel would be to my advantage.

Are you a personal trainer? do you have another job?
Yes, I am a personal trainer as well as a professional bodybuilder. My brother Korbie and myself run a personal training studio called Training Innovations. We help all different types of clients from athletes to people just wanting to lose weight.

What are your next plans?
I plan to compete again August 26 at the IFBB Europa show in Dallas Texas. Hopefully I will be able to make a big impact and move up the pro ranks.

Anything else you would like to add to encourage your African brothers to train?
Keep training hard and always set short term as well as long term goals. I think we Africans, and specifically West Africans have the best genetics and potential for building great physiques. It is only a matter of time before there are more IFBB Pro bodybuilders from Ghana.

What about your training and nutrition?
My training philosophy is very intense with heavy weights while utilizing good exercise form. Also I train no more than 5 days per week to allow the body to recover. As for nutrition, I like to maintain a high protein diet with plenty of meats, while keeping carbohydrates moderate. I also consume a lot of vegetables and water to keep my system clean.

What are your favourite African foods?
My favorite African food has always been Joloff Rice. I also like Koko.

Do you use protein powders? do you think they are necessary for our guys in Africa or natural food can replace them conveniently?
I do use protein powders and I find them useful however, I don't think they are necessary. Consuming a diet rich in natural foods is always the better alternative.

How did you get your IFBB Pro Status? did your life change since then?
I earned my IFBB Pro status by winning the United States NPC National Championships in 2002, defeating the best amateurs bodybuilders in the country with perfect scores on all of the judges score cards. It was a dream come true. Since then I have received a lot of publicity through magazines and the Internet. My life has definitely changed in that a lot more people recognize me and I get a great deal of respect within the bodybuilding community.