9:13am Thursday 12th November 2009
By Rob Meech
DARREN Hallett celebrated becoming a father for the second time and then struck gold at the NAC Open British Cham-pionships – twice.
The 39-year-old, who is affiliated to Future Physiques in Weymouth, won the Athletic Two category in Man-chester before capturing the overall gong.
Only 10 days earlier his wife Laura gave birth to their daughter Ava Louise, but despite sleepless nights aplenty, Hallett eclipsed all expectations.
He said: “I’m chuffed to bits to come home with two trophies and couldn’t put it into words. I wanted to go there and win my class but I wasn’t expecting to win it overall. It was incredible.
“I went to the world championships in June for experience because it was only my fourth competition and was told by a judge what areas I needed to improve on.
“I put my heart and soul into getting into the right condition. That same judge said to me last week that I was going to make a big impact because I had done everything and more that she had asked.
“The last couple of months have been a whirlwind but I kept going. You get out what you put in and getting up at 6am after four hours’ sleep and doing an hour’s cardio is down to dedication.”
Hallett’s rise in the world of bodybuilding has been meteoric. Despite training for 20 years, in the competitive arena he is still a novice with only five events under his belt.
Now the family man, who will compete in a UKBFF British Finals qualifier in Middlesex this weekend, is out to cause a stir at Mr Universe in Hamburg, Germany, on December 5.
He said: “I would love to make the top six in Hamburg but I’ve got my heart set on finishing in the top three. To do that in just my sixth show would be unbelievable, especially representing Great Britain.
“I feel that if I can be in good shape with everything that’s going on at home, such as looking after the baby, then I can achieve anything.”
He added: “My wife Laura has been the backbone and it was she who encouraged me to enter competitions and gave me the confidence to compete. She’s been with me every step of the way.
“Future Physiques have helped me and supported me and I need to say a big thank-you to FX Logistics for sponsoring me and paying for all my travel costs. George Tucker, the butcher, has also supplied me with meat.”
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