A University of Lancashire sports student is a champion bodybuilder after winning a national competition.
Rebekah Gray, 19, triumphed at the PCA Physical Culture Naturals competition in the ‘Ladies Toned Figure’ category, beating off nine other finalists at the event in Wolverhampton.
It is the first season the second year sports therapy student has competed and the first time she has qualified for a final.
“I can’t explain how it felt to hear my name called out”, said Rebekah. “I was competing against far more experienced athletes and this was the first time I’ve made it to a national final so I didn’t expect to win. I’ve worked so hard and pushed myself to the limit for this competition so it’s an amazing feeling to see it pay off.”
I’ve worked so hard and pushed myself to the limit for this competition so it’s an amazing feeling to see it pay off.– Sports therapy student and bodybuilding competition winner Rebekah Gray
Rebekha, who grew up in Bootle but has lived in Fulwood since 2022, has spent the last two years preparing for the event and even had to contend with a broken arm a year ago. She has been a keen gym goer since the age of 15 but only discovered bodybuilding two years ago when she met her coach Matt Owen who suggested she had the perfect physique for the sport.
Since then, Rebekah has juggled her studies with an intensive training schedule spent at the University’s Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre and Next Level Gym at Preston’s Capitol Centre.
She said: “My training differs depending on whether I’m in off-season or getting ready for a competition.
“Preparation for this event started nine months ago. I tend to train five days a week and stick to a very clean, calorie controlled diet. Just before the competition I was restricted to 1,000 calories a day and that was really tough but it’s only for a short time. I did reward myself with a cookie after winning so I do have the odd treat.
My ultimate aim is to become a professional bodybuilder whilst running a sports therapy practice alongside it.– Sports therapy student and bodybuilding competition winner Rebekah Gray
“Studying sports therapy has made a big difference to training and injury prevention because it helps me to understand my body and improve my performance.
“In turn, bodybuilding will help me in the future as a sports therapist by giving me in-depth knowledge of weight training, recovery and anatomy.”
The ambitious student now has her sights set on future competitions and aims to one day qualify as a professional bodybuilder.
She added: “Winning my first final has really boosted my confidence and drive to succeed. It’s a demanding sport but I love the process of bodybuilding and put everything into it to get the results.
“My ultimate aim is to become a professional bodybuilder whilst running a sports therapy practice alongside it.”
