Jonah Lomu finds success with bodybuilding

First it was Sonny Bill Williams in the boxing ring. Now its Jonah Lomu trying his hand at a sport other than rugby. The former All Black superstar donned a bright blue speedo and plenty of oil as he flexed his muscles in an amateur bodybuilding contest in Wellington a few nights ago.

Lomu has shed an impressive 35 kilograms since he began preparing in March. He now weighs in at 115kg, which is about what he weighed when he first made the All Blacks at the age of 19.

Lomu, now 34, also showed that he has a few moves, which included dropping down into the splits. After all that hes been through physically over the years, hes got himself in great shape and has shown great determination.

He came second in two categories, including the mens open over-90kg, and the mixed pairs. That meant he's done enough to qualify for next months competition.

As well as intensive gym work, Lomu has also been on a strict diet in which hes cut out carbohydrates to the point that hes been blacking out.

It takes you to a place where you find yourself. By you being carb-depleted and so forth, you start using parts of your mind that I don't think you might have used before.

"The only times I've really gone to these places is when I played with the sevens, with touch or played for the All Blacks, when you know you need to find that extra step to make that extra tackle."

Hes been inspired by his partner Tracy, who was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago.

"We're getting up there and just showing that she's a breast cancer survivor, I'm a kidney transplantee, and there's life after all the surgeries and all the dramas if you're willing to actually work hard for it."

Lomus other motivation has been that hes planning to make a comeback with French side Marseille Vitrolles, so this has been a great way to get in shape for when he moves to France in November.


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