William ' the conquerer ' Uelese

1. Height: 1.80m

2. Contest weight: Between 102-104 kgs, ideally I need to be around 95-97 kgs come finals day.                 

3. Off season (normal) weight - ranges between 110-115 kgs, I try to avoid getting any heavier than this as it means having to diet longer for a show

4. Years you've been weight training: Seriously for the last 7 years, before that I dabbled a bit as part of my rugby training

5. . How many shows have you competed in - incl in NZ? How many in UK.
 

I competed about 5 times back in NZ with the NZFBB between 2002 - 2003. My first show was the 2002 Wellington Champs in which I won the novice over 90kg class and then just lost out on the Overall in my first show. My next show I decided to move up to the open over 90kg class at the CNI's which I won as well. From there I placed 2^nd in the Heavyweight class at the 2002 NZFBB finals and was lucky enough to make the Australasian team for the following year. I went on to place 3^rd at the Australasian's in 2003. 

Since moving to the UK I have competed in 9 shows including 2 finals in 2008. I placed 2^nd in the Heavyweight class at the BNBF (British Natural Bodybuilding Federation) finals, and placed in the top 6 in the heavyweight class at the NPA finals. This year (2009) I won the Heavyweight class at the BNBF Welsh and Central regional qualifiers.

left: William with his lovely partner Annie (who also competes)

We live in Kilburn which is North West London, about a 20min bus ride from Central London. We train in Soho Gym in Camden and for a Central London gym it caters wells in terms of gym equipment, free weights and good staff. Most London gyms cater more towards general health and fitness so there is always a leg press or a leg curl machine missing with loads of cardio gear instead. They do target the general market which is great but for our sport specific needs we needed to shop around a bit.

The further you go outside of London the more likely you will find a more typical, old school bodybuilder gym which are just fantastic. I had a workout one time at Temple Gym in Birmingham which is where Dorian Yates trained for years while he held the Mr Olympia title for years. It is set in a basement with concrete walls and the gear is just basic and simple, but effective. The gyms don't seem to open as early back home, but a few do cater very well in terms of bodybuilding food, not just shakes and bars but full meals too such as rice, chicken breast & veges  or oats with egg whites.      

8. What's the bodybuilding scene like in UK?  if you can tell us about how many organisations there are, if they're run well etc - if the shows are run the same as they do in NZ. 

Well, I don't know if they are better or worse, we have been away from the NZ scene for some time now I really couldn't compare. But obviously, a bigger population means a bigger following with more competitors which in affect keeps the standard very high. There are the main federations such as UKFBB (affiliated to the IFBB) and NABBA too. However there are strong natural federations which we what we compete in, the BNBF (British Natural Bodybuilding Federation) and the NPA (Natural Physique Association). We are heavily involved with the BNBF as competitors and behind the scenes too. There have strict testing procedures in order to keep the federation and the sport as clean as possible. The shows are run to a similar format back home with but all the routines are done at night only, it is purely pre-judging during the day. The shows are very professionally run, from the introduction of the judges through to the music, lighting, trophies to the sponsors and stalls at the shows.      




9. What surprised you most about the scene there? If it did.

I don't think anything has surprised me, but I am impressed with the standard amongst the natural competitors, especially amongst the juniors, lightweights, middleweights and masters. There are some very good female competitors too in both figure and physique. You do have some competitors that move across to UKFBB and NABBA shows as natural competitors and they fare quite well so fair play to them. There is the odd shock at the UKFBB and NABBA shows as you see some behemoths there, it's a different crowd altogether but there isn't that divide there. There is a lot of respect from UKFBB and NABBA competitors towards natural competitors and vice versa too. We have many friends and associates from all federations so you're never frowned or looked down on despite your background or choice.   

I think the pound stretches a lot further than the NZ dollar, so you can get a lot more for your money here. In terms of supplementation, being more accessible to the US there is a lot more range on offer in the UK so I do find supplements quite reasonable. In terms of fresh meats and produce, you cannot beat what is on offer back home. We were home just recently and you notice the taste and freshness in foods such as fish and beef. It's not quite the same in the UK, unless you live in the country. Most supermarkets stock their own brand of goods etc so that's always a cheaper alternative if you wish.

Well, where do we start? Well, much like home, with the Stewarts, the Browns, and the Ligaliga's and many others back in NZ. We also have a strong network of Kiwi, English, Scottish and Irish competitors and supporters whom are very close and fond of now. The sport and federations have been very supportive of us both competing here in the UK. We have some very close Kiwi friends that compete here too, such as Trudy Wood from my hometown Manurewa, Auckland and Anita Albrecht also originally from Auckland. We have been very lucky that we have met some amazing people and formed close friendships through the sport that will be with us forever.

12.  When's your next show?  Will you comeback to come in NZ?

Unfortunately this year I had to withdraw from the BNBF finals due to unforeseen circumstances back in NZ. We had to fly back to NZ for 2 weeks at short notice and dieting and training became difficult and my focus and priority changed. I could still have carried on but I know for a fact I would not have looked my best come finals time but I think I have made the right decision. It was a real shame as it's the 10^th Anniversary year for the BNBF and there is a pro card up for grabs in the Heavyweight class which entitles the winner to compete win the Yorton Cup in Washington DC later in November.....ah well, there's more to life than bodybuilding and there's always next year.  

13. Do you miss NZ!!!!  What do you miss most?

Of course, we'll always miss home. That's where our family and friends are, but we also know home will always be there for us when we decide to come back. I do miss my family and it's especially hard missing out on little ones growing up, it's weird on our recent trip back you get these little ones calling you Uncle William and Aunty Annie and it really hits home that they know all about you but you hardly know them - that is pretty tough. I do miss Mum's home cooking, taro, chop suey, raw fish...you know what I mean, true bodybuilding food!!

14. What's your philosophy and ambition within the sport?

I pride myself on being a 100% natural bodybuilder, it's the direction I have always taken and ultimately for me it's about pushing my body as far as I can in a fair and level playing field. I have a huge respect for any bodybuilder, regardless of their choice in the sport because it requires just as much determination and commitment by anybody to train, diet and prepare to get on stage.

It has been an unfortunate end to my competitive year however this has just motivated me even more for next year.

The off season now allows me to work on my weaknesses and hopefully make some improvements towards qualifying for the 2010 BNBF finals. I have a goal to win a National title in the UK and further beyond that, should all go well look to compete on an international stage as part of a team from the UK.

As for competing in NZ, I would never rule this out. It's where it all started for me, and I still have a lot of friends and colleagues involved and competing with the NZFBB so to be able to do that again with them would just be fantastic.