麻豆社区

A positive life change made three years ago continues to pay off for Ben Wondga.

The 37-year-old Whitehorse bodybuilder finished third in his first competition earlier this month at Chandos Pattison Auditorium in Surrey, B.C.

The event 鈥� Knight of Champions 鈥� was promoted by B.C. bodybuilder Tamara Knight and sanctioned by the B.C. Amateur Bodybuilding Association.

The five-foot-eight, 181-pound Wondga finished third in the light heavyweight category, in which five participants competed.

鈥淭o be honest, I didn鈥檛 know what to expect,鈥濃�坔e said of his first-ever bodybuilding competition. 鈥淚 felt like I鈥坢atched up pretty good against the guys I was up against. They were all bigger and heavier than me 鈥� and they all had more experience.鈥�

For his efforts, Wondga took home a trophy and prizes such as supplements and training equipment. He also earned the right to compete at the B.C. provincial bodybuilding championships.

鈥淭here was a lot of stress, but once I鈥坈ompleted the contest, I鈥檓 so motivated to keep going,鈥濃�圵ondga said, noting he was on a strict diet for four months before the competition.

鈥淎nd knowing what I鈥坘now now, I won鈥檛 be so high strung next time. I鈥檒l actually be able to enjoy it.鈥�

Wondga, a member of the Kluane First Nation, currently teaches at Jack Hulland Elementary School. On the side, he runs his own personal training business 鈥� Bodies By Ben and Personal Punishment Productions.

He has spent over half his life living in the territory 鈥� in both Haines Junction and Whitehorse.

In 1998, he served as captain of the Yukon Claim Jumpers 鈥� a now-defunct junior hockey team in Whitehorse.

鈥淚 was always an athlete growing up,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥坧layed lots of hockey, but ended up with quite a few injuries.鈥�

The injuries hurt, and Wondga hit the local party circuit.

Wondga said it was three years ago when he made the decision to get fit.

He wanted to 鈥渟et a good example鈥� for his young family so he quit the party scene and returned to the gym.

鈥淚t鈥檚 culminated in this,鈥� he said yesterday. 鈥淚 try to send this message to the children that I teach: if you have goals, there鈥檚 nothing that can stop you if you set your mind to it. And you鈥檙e never too old to chase your dreams.鈥�

Wondga expressed his thanks to Peak Fitness owners Cliff and Erin Schultz for their support of his bodybuilding pursuits over the past eight months.

鈥淲ithout their sponsorship, none of this would have been possible,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t felt good to know that I could compete with those guys after not a very long amount of time. ... It鈥檚 really gratifying for me.鈥�

The competition saw Wondga take the stage twice.

In the first round, he completed a series of compulsory poses. After moving on to the finals, the same series of poses was required, followed by a one-minute routine set to music.

鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of like compulsory posing with a little bit of flair,鈥� he explained.