Jay and Gavin shine at fitness competition

Jay Dunlop (25) and Gavin Darragh (20) both members of energie fitness in Coleraine, have just returned from competing in the Northern Ireland Model and Fitness Association competition.

For both, it was their first ever competition, and Jay landed a medal in the over 21 Mr Athletic category, finishing runner up in a very competitive class of 14 entrants.

For Gavin, the day was bitter sweet. He was not placed, but he took confidence and experience from the competition, and is gunning for glory at the World fitness competition in Dublin later this year. The pair spent hours in the gym in the run up to the event and were forced to follow a strict diet.

Jay described the competition as an ‘amazing experience’ and praised his trainer Glen McClelland who told Times Sport that Jay was ‘ in perfect condition’ on the day. Glenn added that, Jay, who had never even been to watch a competition, never mind compete was ‘dedicated, determined and a pleasure to work with’ in the run up to the event. Jay expressed his thanks to Glen, and sponsors energie fitness and local butcher Oran McAtamney. Looking back on a video of his performance Gavin said he was ‘pleased’ with how he performed on the day, but admitted that he had only given himself ten weeks to prepare for the competition. “I have put on about eight kilos since the competition, but I am back on a strict eating and training regime and I am ready to give the competition in Dublin this October my best shot.”

Gill David, General Manager of Energie Coleraine said he was proud of the pair and added that it was pleasing that the Coleraine gym was one of few who had two competitors in the competition.