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I'll be back to best

26/ 4/2007

BODY builder Paul George is well on the way back to his best after coming to terms with a personal tragedy - and he is tipping himself to emulate Arnold Schwarzenegger's biggest sporting achievement.

The 45-year-old from Swinton has his sights set on following Schwarzenegger into Mr Universe glory at the end of October. And if he achieves his goal it would be the perfect tribute to his father Colin, who died last year following a long battle with cancer.

George said: "I took a year out of the sport last year when my dad got very ill with cancer. It was a very traumatic time and his death took a lot of getting over. But I'm focused on competing again now and I have five or six events coming up this year.

"It is definitely my biggest year since I won my pro card in 2004. My shape and condition are getting back to as good as they've ever been and I'll be going to the NABBA Universe competition looking to win.

"That is the Mr Universe event that Schwarzenegger is famous for winning.

"It would be great to sit back at the end of my body building career and be able to say that I won the Mr Universe title.

"But I've still got 20 years or so left in this sport yet. Body building isn't governed by age. It's governed by mentality."

George took up body building 25 years ago and was a five times world champion and an eight times British champion at amateur level.

He has competed against all of the big names in the professional ranks but financial restraints have limited his impact on the pro circuit, where most of the events take place abroad - particularly America.

The Mr Universe event will be held at Southport Theatre and Floral Hall on Sunday, October 28, and the other big dates on the horizon for George are the Mr Caledonia competition in Airdrie, Scotland, on Saturday, May 12, and the PDI Night of Champions in London on Sunday, October 14.

George has also agreed to make special guest appearances at the North West County Championships at Southport Theatre and Floral Hall on Sunday, April 29, and the North East County Championships in Hartlepool, County Durham, on Sunday, May 6.

And he has arranged to give nutritional advice to the junior boxers at the Irlam Amateur Boxing Club.

George runs the Olympic Gym at Bridgewater Mill, Eccles, and he recently had his biggest television role playing the part of a stripper in series four of Channel Four hit Shameless.

Anyone interested in joining George's gym should contact: 0161 707 7161.