A bodybuilder from Cinderford has been crowned Mr England by the Independent Bodybuilding Fitness Association (IBFA UK) this August 2026.
Edward Bundy from the Forest of Dean came out on top for his class after what he described as ‘years of training, discipline and preparation’.
IBFA UK supports grassroots clubs and competitors and specialises in what it calls ‘old school bodybuilding’ – with categories for men, women, juniors, and people with visible disabilities.
Competitors are judged on criteria including muscularity, definition, symmetry, proportions, shape, and stage presence – with Edward taking home the trophy for the men’s classic tall category.
Edward is also the owner of IronMasters Gym in Cinderford and is proud of the community that has been building around strength training in the area.
Following his win, he now plans to expand IronMasters – opening a new Performance and Endurance Centre with a focus on functional fitness, endurance training and athletic conditioning, in the unit directly opposite the existing site.
The original IronMasters will remain, but will become the IronMasters Strength and Power Centre, with its focus being on bodybuilding, powerlifting, and strength training.
Taking to Instagram to announce his victory, Edward said: ‘This weekend I stepped on stage and came away with the title of Mr England in men’s classic tall. A result I’m incredibly proud of, but one that didn’t happen on the day.
‘It was built through months of early mornings, hard training, boring meals, tired legs, low energy, doubt, discipline and showing up when it would have been easier not to…
‘To every member of IronMasters Gym – thank you. Watching you all turn up, grind, stay consistent and keep pushing is a constant inspiration to me. You all help keep the standards high.
‘IronMasters is more than a gym. It is a place where people prove things to themselves every single day, and that energy pushed me more than you probably realise.’
