A Co Derry personal trainer is celebrating after being crowned the first ever British Natural Bodybuilding Federation Northern Ireland Champion. Mairtin Gillen, from Dungiven, walked away with the accolade after competing in the prestigious bodybuilding competition, which was held in the North for the first time ever. The 31 year-old (pictured) also picked up first place in the men’s heavyweight class and a place in the finals which will be held in Perth, Scotland on Sunday, September 25. What’s more impressive is the fact that Mairtin, who works in Dungiven Sports Pavilion, only took up bodybuilding in the last few years. Previously, he he had success in strong man competitions. Speaking after his wins, he said: “I really enjoyed the competition. It couldn’t have gone better for me. It was a perfectly run show and everything went like clockwork for me.” Mairtin even had his own team of supporters who travelled to Belfast to cheer him on. “Car loads of people from home came to the show to cheer me on and that felt really good when I was on stage. My mum and dad, family and wee godson was there so they all spurred me on to do well. “I couldn’t believe it when I won. It was just amazing and it was even better when Conor Power of Crawford Fitness, who sponsored me and also the category I was competing in, presented me with the heavyweight trophy.” Mairtin was competing along his training partner and friend Matt Norrb.
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