Inverness bodybuilder's latest success can help propel him to professional status
An up-and-coming Inverness bodybuilder is celebrating a fresh national success that could help him strong-arm his way onto the professional scene.
Jack Gunn, who co-owns The Forge gym on Carsegate Road, emerged triumphant in his medium weight class at a major federation event at Hamilton Town Hall.
The 25-year-old’s impressive showing in front of Glasgow judges on August 28 followed an earlier season triumph where he was judged top heavyweight at the 2BrosPro MK Classic at Slough’s Braywick Leisure Centre in May.
That success also earned him a valuable sponsorship deal with the sports supplement firm Rawr Nutrition. The latest victory will increase exposure and open new doors once the Inverness athlete completes a long “off-season” spell of growth and bulk-building work that could last at least until late next year.
The dream, beyond then, is to become a professional level competitor.
“It was a phenomenal day in Hamilton at an incredibly well organised event,” Mr Gunn said. “It was a different federation to my last success.
“The Physical Culture Association (PCA) is one of the biggest and best emerging federations in the UK.
“They run a regional qualifier in Scotland, PCA Scotland, and within that the main body building class is broken into three height categories, with me in the medium class with six others. I managed to win that, which was pleasing as there were some good competitors in that class from south of the border. The standard was really high.
“Although it qualifies me for the British event, I’m not actually going to accept. In the scheme of things, I’m as well to knock it back now for the off-season as that’s an important time for growing and progressing. I want to re-focus on my goal of turning professional – that’s still the dream for me.
“I’d say I’ve taken some strides with this victory. Every win helps.
“It doesn’t necessarily in itself help you become pro, but it gives you more competitive experience, more feedback and more exposure as well.”
The sponsorship deal, as well as offering financial support, is valuable in other ways towards that burning ambition.
“It is a stepping stone,” Mr Gunn said. “For me, it is as much about networking because Rawr sponsors professional athletes. Being in the same kind of contact groups as them can only help towards my goals.
“After my previous success, I said that was it for the season, but the build-up had been about 27 weeks and it seemed an awful lot of working time to just do one competition. I’m really glad I decided to go for the PCA Scotland as it was a great event and occasion.”
Mr Gunn was joined in Hamilton by gym business partner Dean Sutherland who competed well in his class, while The Forge manager Louise Cooper finished an impressive third in her section.
“At the earliest, my next competition will be the end of next year,” he said. “It is just the time it takes to make the improvements. There is a lot of work in it.
“Given that everybody had been forced to work at home for long spells with lockdown, it is quite impressive to see what people have done this year with the bare minimum. The PCA Scotland event was probably one of the highest standards of class I’ve been involved in.”
