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Wesley crowned as the master of the UniverseDate: 15.06.2003
Posted by: Anabolic Info Team United Kingdom
Don't dare suggest to newly-crowned Mr Universe Wesley Clarke that by winning the world-renowned contest, he is following in the footsteps of movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Arnie, star of the Terminator films, shot to fame after winning Mr Universe competitions in the 1970s, but 2003 champion Clarke, by day a mild mannered accountant, wants to distance himself from the days when there was no distinction made between bodybuilders using drugs and "clean" participants.
And while, not wishing to suggest that Arnie's muscles came about from anything other than hard work and a desire to succeed, Clarke is strictly clean and proud of it.
The 39-year-old, of Chesterton Road, Plaistow, won the WNBF Pro Natural Mr Universe Heavyweight title - for drug-free bodybuilders - in New York on Saturday and had to undergo rigorous testing, including a lie detector, to prove he is clean.
Clarke said: "People always think of Arnold Schwarzenegger when you talk about Mr Universe, but there was no regulation back then and that's something these competitions are trying to get away from. Having to go through a lie detector is a bit strange, but all the tests go to show how seriously they take trying to keep the competition drug free."
To develop a body worthy of being Mr Universe, competitors obviously have to work out religiously but have to follow a strict diet as well (See Wesley's average day's food below).
Saturated fats and alcohol are out, as are carbohydrates after 5pm, so Clarke works hard at maintaining his weight at around 14st and then coming down to around 13st 1lb for competitions.
"I'm not one of these blokes who will just eat all around him, get ridiculously fat and then trim down for competition, which is what so many people do", he said.
"I suppose people may look at what I eat and think it's a lot but when you're burning some off and turning the rest into muscle, it's not so much."
Clarke only turned professional last year and was entering just his second pro contest after finishing 12th overall in November's World Natural Bodybuilding Federation World
Championships - the second best ever ranking by a Briton.
But far from heralding untold riches, turning professional just means Clarke can compete for money and winning Mr Universe netted $1,500 - around £910.
He added: "The term professional is a bit of a misnomer because of the prize money that's available, but it's all about prestige really, rather than trying to make a million."
The right recipe for a big build up
IT'S hungry work being a Mr Universe champion and a regular day's eating, containing five or six meals, goes as follows:
Breakfast - cereal, three-egg omelette, beans, fruit and water; mid morning meal - protein shake, sandwich, more fruit; lunch - a small chicken, 500g steamed rice, peas; post lunch meal - sandwich, protein drink and fruit; evening meal - fish, chicken and vegetables. |
© Anabolic Info
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