Robert lands NI bodybuilding title

Robert Allen, who lives outside Cullybackey, scooped the Novice Mr Northern Ireland title at the recent National Amateur Body-Building Association (NABBA) championships held at Belfast’s Ulster Hall.

The 30-year-old locum pharmacist caught the judges’ eye from the line-up of 13 finalists, to complete a remarkable journey which began for Robert as a youngster.

“I’ve always been interested in weights and physique – I remember my mum taking me to Camerons and getting my first set of dumbells when I was still at primary school.

“Then as a teenager I started going regularly to the weights room at the leisure centre and when I went to university I started doing bodybuilding training.

“I had also started to train at Al Smyth’s gym in Cullybackey and it was he who gave me the focus and enthusiasm to carry it on.

“I have to thank Al and also Paul Stewart, who has been my regular training partner for about eight years because the help they have given me has been invaluable, as has the support I’ve had from my friends and family.

“I had never thought of entering competitions until they suggested it to me a few years back – I thought ‘ there’s no way you’ll get me up on a stage’!

“But I did the Northern Ireland first timers championship in 2011 and came second out of 27 competitors so I carried on from there and I’m over the moon to win the Novice Mr Northern Ireland title.”

Robert’s success in the NI event sees him qualify for the NABBA British finals in Southport later this month.

“I’m quite laid-back about the whole thing – the standard there will be even greater than the Northern Ireland finals so I’m not expecting too much but it will be a terrific experience,” added Robert.