Peter’s pride

A local man has scooped first prize after only recently taking up bodybuilding, writes Calum Telfer .

Peter Baird (34), from Rasharkin, won his class at the UKBFF bodybuilding Northern Ireland Championships.

It was his first ever major competition and he was delighted at his success..

Peter was up against six other bodybuilders in the height and weight category at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast on Saturday 4th August and was “over-the-moon” with his win!

Peter, who owns NI Supplements on Church Street, Ballymoney, felt that his hard work had paid off after a year of hard training.

Just like the commitment and dedication applied by those taking part in the Olympic Games in London, Peter had sacrificed nearly all his free time to training as he would do a cardio session before work and gym afterwards.

He never gave up even when he wondered if coming home late from Sammy’s Gym (in Ballymoney) every night was worth it?

Peter also trained all day Sunday, his only day off but his commitment paid off as he has qualified for the UK British Championships in October. Unfortunately, Peter finds himself in the dreadful situation in which he cannot take part in the Championships as he is relocating his business to Belfast and due to the work involved he won’t be able to train.

“It just isn’t possible for me to combine both relocating my business and putting in the time needed for training. I am disappointed but I have commitments and my work has to come first, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be resuming my interest in bodybuilding in the future,” Peter told the Times.

Speaking about his great achievement Peter said that he “hoped he could inspire his customers onto achieving what they want when he could at thirty-four”.

Another local man, David Henderson (26) from Coleraine, also travelled to Belfast and won the Beginners class.

David, who trains at the Atlantic Barbell Gym, hopes to attend the UK British Championships in Manchester.