\n Chris Drinkwater, 38, won the middleweight category at the UKDFBA (United Kingdom Drug Free Bodybuilding Association) Championships in Rugby, Warwickshire, last weekend before going on to claim the overall title.\n<\/p>\n
\n The victory also secured him a coveted pro card, allowing him to compete at the highest level of natural bodybuilding.\n<\/p>\n
\n The JD Gyms trainer, who has been lifting weights for 16 years, said the win was an emotional moment after a long and difficult journey.\n<\/p>\n
\n \n \u201cI was over the moon,\u201d said Chris. \u201cI was crying backstage.\n<\/p>\n \n “It\u2019s a difficult thing to put yourself through, but after losing both my mum and dad, it\u2019s been my main driver knowing they\u2019re watching over me. It\u2019s been a really personal goal.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n Chris first stepped on stage in 2023, entering a regional competition \u201cjust for the experience\u201d after encouragement from friends.\n<\/p>\n \n Despite being a newcomer, he won his class and went on to claim a world title in Manchester later that year.\n<\/p>\n \n Since then, he has worked under the guidance of coach Damien Lees, who has more than 30 years\u2019 experience in the sport.\n<\/p>\n \n READ MORE:<\/strong> Our commitment to Lancashire Telegraph readers after Blackburn Rovers ban<\/a>\n<\/p>\nChris Drinkwater, from Accrington, at a bodybuilding show in Rugby(Image: Chris Drinkwater)<\/em><\/span>\n<\/p>\n