MBOMBELA – You would expect a guy like Angelo Picoto, who recently featured on the cover of Men’s Health magazine, to be somewhat full of himself.
But this chopper pilot and ex-motocross champ from Mbombela, who currently lives and works in Mozambique, is anything but that.
These days he flies VIPs and tourists around to popular destinations which include the luxurious White Pearl Resort in Ponta Mamoli.
The Men’s Health Cover Guy competition is like a national election, with plenty of votes and nationwide coverage.
Picoto was recently announced the winner after thousands of votes, and ended up on the cover of the September issue of SA’a best-selling magazine. “There is no achievement that beats this one,” says Picoto.
Some now describe him as the local hero, and his phone has been buzzing ever since the magazine hit the shelves.
Even Armand Du Plessis, 2014 Mr South Africa, commended him on the great cover photo.
He is described as having ‘the perfect look’ and ‘an ambassador’ by the magazine, and impressing the judges with his overall attitude.
The September issue of Men’s Health is selling like hot beefcakes in Mbombela as friends and family buy up copies.
Picoto describes himself as a really chilled guy who likes be with his friends and spends time keeping fit. He tries to participate in as much sport as he can, enjoys being active and outside and calls his job a “paid for” hobby.
You could say that he’s a little bit of an adrenaline junkie. Needless to say, due to the nature of motocross, he used to be pretty skinny and had long hair.
“Winning this competition did not happen overnight. I had to follow an extremely strict diet for seven months and I have figured out just how far one’s body can go. I am so blessed to be the winner of the cover competition.”
Men’s Health described him as not just a guy with rippling biceps and abs. He’s also an ambassador for Men’s Health, someone who embodies the qualities of the fit, healthy, positive lifestyle.
Abs are built in the kitchen,” he says, hence he eats only clean foods.
His training methods include heavy lifting with supersets and callisthenics sessions, six days on, one day off and some day he would even work in double sessions.
Up until four months ago, he had no trainer, and he says that there is no shame in seeking professional help.
“All you need to do is make a mindset change and stick to it. Do it for yourself, because no one else has to live your life. Making small diet changes can already make a huge difference.”
Now one for the ladies. Lowvelder asked Angelo if he is single, and what his perfect date would be.
The truth is, he is single and he describes the perfect date as nice and romantic, but he’s also the type of guy who would eat pap and wors with his hands if he had the chance. Oh and if you ever get to go on a date, he likes sushi, a lot.
Photos supplied by Men’s Health.
Lowvelder asked Angelo a few questions on camera
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