A KEIGHLEY man qualified for the national finals of a contest run by the United Kingdom Drug Free Bodybuilding Association.

James Watkinson, who lives off Oakworth Road, won the Tall Men’s Physique category of the Northern Counties section of the competition, which was staged near Manchester on September 2.

He is through to the national finals, which will be held in Coventry on October 21.

Mr Watkinson, 30, who works as a personal trainer and has only been competing in bodybuilding for two years, said: “I’m absolutely elated. This is the result of two years hard graft. I used to have a 42-inch waist and weighed over 16 and a half stone.

“Doctors told me if I didn’t take care of myself I was on a fast track towards obesity and diabetes. I’ve trained simply through changing my diet and exercising, enabling me to win physique competitions.”

In July, Mr Watkinson, who trains at Keighley’s Workouts Gym, took part in the Caledonian Classic bodybuilding contest in Scotland.

He came fourth in his category despite his training being badly affected when he was hurt in a road accident in Hebden Bridge in April.

He said: “As a personal trainer I compete to inspire people by showing them anyone can achieve great results, having gone from ‘chubby to champion’ through structured nutrition and exercise.”