Ed Akay, the Natural Mr Universe champion, helped long-time coach Matthew White secure a spot at the 2027 IBFA Mr Universe competition in Italy.
The pair have worked together for six years, forming one of natural bodybuilding’s most successful coach-athlete partnerships.
Ed Akay, Natural Mr Universe Champion, said: “After all our success over the past two years, it felt surreal acting as a coach for a guy who gave so much to me.
“Matthew’s drive is insane and we are definitely doing the skill exchange of a lifetime.”
Matthew, who coached Ed to his Mr Universe title, returned to competitive bodybuilding in 2026.
He has since won the Junior Masters class at the UKUP Natural Championships and impressed judges at the IBFA GB Barnsley Colliery Classic, earning his place at Mr Universe.
Kyle Vice, from the IBFA GB Barnsley Colliery Classic, said: “Matthew has great potential to go further in this sport and will be a strong competitor in the physique category.
“It was a pleasure to have him on stage at my show.”
