Derry man secures first place in 'historic' bodybuilding competition in Lisburn

A Derry man placed first in a 'historic' bodybuilding competition in Lisburn.

Ray McDaid secured the victory in the 2BrosPro Ross Byrne Emerald Classic Masters competition. 

It was an incredibly proud moment after years of hard work for the 42-year-old. 

He said: “It was harder to process this win than it ever was for the losses, as with the losses there was a drive to push on and improve to be better. 

“The amount of support and the lovely messages I received for winning have been overwhelming; some of them have brought me to tears. It has been nice.”

Mr. McDaid had taken a break from bodybuilding for a sustained period after becoming disillusioned with the fitness industry. 

However, he returned to the sport to regain some control in his life once again, feeling he had been lost. 

He said: “I actually made a comeback a couple of years ago when my dad passed in November and I was coming 40 in March, and I had a wee bit of a mid-life crisis, so I felt I wanted to be on stage again, and it was needed as I was losing so much control, and bodybuilding gave me that control again. It gave me the structure I needed in my life. 

“I’ve been trying to get that win since I was 40 for the last two years, competing at competitions regularly about three times a year. In those competitions I had finished second, third, and fifth down in Limerick, so I have been beating on the door for the last few years.”

The 42-year-old finally secured his maiden victory since returning in a historic event at the start of August. 

He said: “It was a historic event. I wasn’t prepared for it, as I was getting ready for another competition. 

“But then I came third in a competition at the Millennium Forum, and I was a bit upset. I only finished third at this event in May, so the announcement of this competition gave me the perfect opportunity to put the work in to do what I needed and finish the job.

“This competition came up out of the blue; it is the first time the NPC worldwide, the IFBB Pro League, ever came to Ireland.”

Mr. McDaid was elated that all his hard work had paid off and that he had managed to turn this sport into a business since returning to it two years ago. 

He has attributed this to the change in view around society that it is no longer just an egocentric venture by athletes, but a hobby people have to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

The 42-year-old said: “I have found my vocation since I got back into the fitness industry.

“It has allowed me to build a business, and the personal training, particularly online, allows me to coach people all over Ireland. I have been able to not only build my physique but also the business. 

“The industry is always changing, and you are always learning, and I am always looking to work on my mentoring and upskilling over the past few years, and the more you learn, the more you realise you don’t know. But it is so much easier to access the information to learn and to teach.”

As his clients and friends praised his performance and victory, there was nobody more pleased for Mr. McDaid than friend John O’Connor. 

The former bodybuilding judge said: “Ray is a dedicated lad and a good-natured guy. 

“I met Ray about 15 years ago, and he just came across to me as a nice lad. I watched him train too, and I could see he was a very strong fella. 

“He had finally made it, and he won the masters there, and I’m over the moon for him. 

“I’m delighted for him because of who he is as an individual; he is well mannered and provides an example for his family.”