When Michal Ihnat arrived in Fermanagh nine years ago from his native Slovakia, little did he think he would become the holder of a Mr. Northern Ireland title.
Michael Ihnat, back delivering the mail in Enniskillen after winning the Mr. Northern Ireland Title.<<
Michal was the winner of the Mr. Class One section at the National Amateur Body Building Association’s Northern Ireland championships held in Belfast on Saturday, appearing in only his second competition.
Standing six feet two inches tall, Michal’s bronzed and muscular body has a powerful presence.
On Saturday, he achieved one of his dreams to lift the trophy for his category for the tallest body builders in the competition.
His love for the sport which he says has now become a lifestyle, all began in Slovakia when he was 16. But since arriving in Fermanagh nine years ago at the age of 21, he has concentrated on honing his body to be successful. He explains how it takes sheer dedication and commitment 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
“I have to eat every two hours and so if I go out to the park with the kids, I have to bring a meal with me. I have to plan ahead and cook because you can never miss a meal to become a champion and to succeed,” explained Michal.
So in a typical day, Michal will have seven meals, starting off with 15 egg whites for breakfast and the same again for the last meal of the day. In between, there will be meals with high protein level such as chicken wings and chicken breast, turkey and white fish altogether getting through around three and a half pounds of meat a day. For carbohydrates, he will have sweet potato, potatoes, rice and oats. For good quality fats, he will use flaxseed oil.
“It’s plain and tasteless,” he says.
His physical training takes up several hours a day and more leading up to competitions when training is really intense. He will undertake weight training as well as circuits. He trains regularly in the Lakeland Forum and also has unlimited access granted to him at Total Rebuild gym in Lisnaskea for which he is extremely grateful.
Peaking for competition, Michal will aim to have his body fat down to around three per cent so every portion of food has to be measured.
For the 24 hours before a competition, he stops drinking water to help tighten the skin and to enhance the muscles. That together with special tanning processes, ensures the body builders such as Michal look so powerful in competition.
“You need to be in really good condition and that your body fat, your size and muscle are in proportion and there is complete symmetry,” he says, speaking as a champion.
If you think you might have passed Michal in the street, you might be right. Michal is a postman and in addition to his early starts around Enniskillen, he also works as a personal trainer.
He and his wife, Mechelle, have three children; Joshua (5), Michaela (3) and Jordan (7 months old) and living near Brookeborough, he says Fermanagh is very much his home now.
Michal now has the honour of representing Northern Ireland at the World Championships on June 7 .... in Belfast.