Tumise is only 18 so he’s juggling A-level studies, too
He may work in McDonald’s but a Welsh teenager has wowed bodybuilders from across the UK with his bulging muscles and impressive physique.
Juggling A-levels, a job and applying for university, 18-year-old Tumise Ogunmilua is no ordinary student.
Training up to six days a week to look his best, the St Julian’s College pupil has been named the top bodybuilder in the UK under the age of 20, and is now preparing to travel to Miami next month to compete in the world finals.
After a life-long fascination with the world of bodybuilding, Tumise attended his first show at the age of 12, going along to support and help his mother’s friend and Mr Britain title-holder Sam Fomba.
From there he signed up for a gym at the age of 14, transforming from a lanky six foot one teenager to his current figure which could put many professionals to shame.
Tumise, from Newport, said: “I’ve always been a skinny child. From a young age I was taller than the other kids with narrow shoulders and skinny arms and I really wanted to change that.
“I’ve always been really interested in lifting weights and building muscle since the age of five. For my 12th birthday I got a small weight set as I wanted to fill out my form. ”
With the help of his coach Gareth Fernquest, Tumise finally gained enough muscle and confidence to compete for this first time in July this year, sailing to success in Wales before competing in the British Natural Bodybuilding Federation Finals last weekend.
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He said: “It’s crazy, at the start of the year it was just a thought. I always put myself down and didn’t believe I could do it.”
Leaving the house at 6am, a typical day starts with a morning training session before school, lifting up to 90kg to train individual body parts.
Travelling straight to college lessons are followed by homework and revision before working up to three days a week at McDonald’s including weekends.
Tumise said: “I feel like I need to support my family as I eat a lot of food and go to the gym and I don’t want to stress my mum out.”
“A lot of people ask me how I cope working at McDonald’s as a bodybuilder as it’s completely opposite.
“I don’t want to have to have that feeling that I’ve cheated myself when I am dieting for a show so I try by best not to touch any of that.”
While many his age may be more likely to end up with a burger and fries, for Tumise keeping to his regime is much more important.
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He said: “In the morning it’s oats without milk, just water and zero-calorie sweetener.
“For my lunch I have rice and steak mince and the same for dinner and then before bed I have rice cakes.”
Before shows Tumise’s routine steps up even further, with all-important tanning rituals for all bodybuilders to show off muscle definition and prevent wash-out under the harsh lights.
The day of the show a special glaze is applied leading to the big moment standing on stage.
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Tumise said: “I never thought I would be standing on stage in a thong but bodybuilding is something I’ve wanted to do but never believed I could.
“In the qualifiers I just thought everyone was looking at me but everyone watching the show knows what you are going through and are so supportive.”
Following a last-minute pull-out from a sponsor for the Drug Free Athletes Coalition World Final in Miami, the teenager is now trying to help raise funds to allow him to travel across to compete in November.
With both his gym and school holding fundraising campaigns, to help he has been overwhelmed by support from friends and family.
Despite his love of the gym and building muscle however, Tumise’s goal is to attend university next year to study mechanical engineering.
He said: “If I’m not in the gym or at McDonald’s I’m probably revising as I want to go to uni.
“I really want to go to university and have that experience but bodybuilding will always be a part of my life.”
