BODYBUILDER Daz Hallett has admitted that winning the Mr Universe title for a second time meant more to him than his first triumph in 2013.

Hallett took the International Bodybuilding & Fitness Association (IBFA) crown in the athletic under 173cm class in Italy last weekend – but his preparations for the event were far from easy.

After clinching the Mr Universe title two years ago, the owner of the Fitness World Gym in Southill had to have three shoulder operations in total, meaning he couldn’t start training again until last July.

Then, weeks before this year’s contest, the 45-year-old tripped at home and chipped a bone in his wrist, leaving him having to train through the pain barrier as he got ready to travel to Sapri.

“A lot of people said I had been out for too long after the shoulder operations,” he said. “But I knew if I could get back in the condition I was in when I won it before then I would stand a good chance.

“Not only was I in the condition as I was in two years ago, I was in a better condition.

“The competition was very good and if I had gone back like I was in 2013 then I doubt whether I would have won it.”

He added: “The second time means more because it shows it wasn’t a fluke in 2013.

“Also one of my dreams was that my two girls could be there and they came on stage when I won.”

Hallett says he wants to go back in 2016 to defend his trophy.