of bodybuilders

Bodybuilding

Knight of the order of bodybuilders

By Shailendra Singh

BODY building in Fiji ffas never had a big following and interna tionally, the country has lagged far behind in the sport.

But now, there is rdason for optimism in the Fiji body building squad that is preparing for the South Pacific Games in August.

The team is being coached by Brisbane-based Billy Knight Tuinasaqalau, the most famous and pro lific Fijian bodybuilder ever.

Born in Ba, a town in the Western part of Fiji, Knight is the only bodybuilder in history to win the prestigious Mr Australia title for three consecutive years in'T9Bo - It was in Australia, where Knight migrated 22 years ago, that opportunities opened up and his sports career took off.

Now the Fiji Amateur Body building Association (FABA) has called on Knight to impart some of his knowledge to his fellow countrymen, and he agreed with out hesitation.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m very honoured to be invited,” he said.

A mammoth task awaits Knight, who has already had some sessions with the Fiji team. But those that have watched him at work have no doubt the team is in

good hands.

At 45, and married with four children, Knight displays the energy of someone half his age. The optimism and enthusi asm with which he has set out to do his job is quite encouraging for the Hedging

Faba.

“I’ve dropped all schedules ffor 1995 for this. This is the biggest and best chal lenge of my life,’ Knight said.

While his first look at the Fiji team wasn’t very encouraging, Knight can see

Hie said less than 10% of the body builders were in the running as far as international standards went and 90 per cent were not aware of what they should be doing.

But he added his clinics should put that right. “I’ll get them in the best shape of their lives,” he promised.

Knight’s accomplishments both as a competitor and administrator are prolific.

He has finished in the top four and top six twice in the Mr Universe and was sec ond in the World Games in 1981 in San Jose, USA.

He held the position of national presi dent of the National Amateur Bodybuilders of Australia from 1983-87 and was World vice-president from 1984- 87.

In between, he has been national coach and manager and addressed sever al high profile world body building seminars and exhibitions apart from giv ing radio and television interviews throughout Australia.

Through body building, Knight has

travelled extensively to the Philippines, Egypt, England, France, Germany,!

Austria, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Hawaii/ New Zealand and the United States.

He also had the chance to train under his mentor, the legendary four-time Mr Universe winner, Bill Pearl, in the United States, and body building icons like Bertil Fox, Tom Platz, Casey Viator, Chris Dickersen, Tom Belknap, Lance Dreher and Jeff King.

The 1994 Mr Universe winner, John j Terrelli, is a former training partner and j student of Knight.

Having been un contact with thou sands of bodybuilders from all parts of the world, Knight believes Pacific Islanders have great potential.

He said facilities and expertise are somewhat lacking but there is an ? abun dance of natural foods, and island people

are genetically endowed for the sport.

“They have naturally good legs, big arms and chest without even training,” he said.

“We have an advantage over other countries in that the atmosphere here is very stress-free, relaxed and happy. It’s difficult to perform where there is a high level of stress.”

But knight added that facilities have to be improved. “Like any other trade in the world, you can’t do your job without the proper tools. “The reason for our stand ing is because we don’t have the facilities to start with,” he said Another problem with Fiji body builders, and those of the South Pacific, is lack knowledge, said Knight.

“The sport is a combination of train ing, diet, nutrition, supplementation and recuperation.

“After training, enough sleep is need ed to allow the body to grow otherwise all that hard lifting is wasted,” he said.

Knight’s sporting interest is not con fined to bodybuiding. He is a keen follower of both rugby league and union.

He is the successful coach of the New Farm United 7-11 year age group soccer club and the assistant junior netball coach at Holy Spirit School, New Farm.

Initially, Knight came to Australia hop ing to make his mark in boxing. His interest in music led him to body build ing. ‘“Because I used to perform on stage, I always took an interest in dressing well and looking good . 1 started using weights and found that body building gave me everything I wanted.”

Knight hopes his involvement with Fiji won’t be just for the South Pacific Games.

He has given the Fiji Government a pro posal for a national fitness council.

The proposal aims to spread aware ness about good nutrition and exercise to people from all walks of life and set up training centres around the country, ■