Bodybuilding: Bay bodybuilder targets the Universe

Aaron Vaisigano with his trophy haul from the National Amateur Body Building Association nationals which saw him qualify for Mr Universe. Photo / Paul Taylor

Hawke's Bay's Aaron Vaisigano laughed as he recalled his introduction to bodybuilding.

"During my days as a basketballer at Taradale High School I realised I was too small for my position so I took up powerlifting. Two years later I found bodybuilding."

That discovery has paid off big time. Nine years later at the age of 28, Vaisigano, will travel to Cebu in the Philippines next month with the aim of becoming Mr Universe.

"I want to be like Arnold Schwarzenegger and get into acting and modelling. Arnold was my hero when I was growing up and he still is," Vaisigano said referring to the Austrian-American Terminator actor who is a former Governor of California.

A personal trainer at The Lab Health & Fitness in Napier, Vaisigano, qualified for the November 14 Mr Universe by winning the Mr New Zealand Physique title at last weekend's Auckland-hosted National Amateur Body Building Association Championships.

As the Open Men's Physique class winner, Vaisigano had to beat seven other Physique class winners for the Mr New Zealand title. "I was up against all age groups, teens, competitors in their 20s and people over 40. It was a case of third time lucky in winning my class, the first time I had won Mr New Zealand and next month will be my first appearance at Mr Universe," Vaisigano explained.

"My height was an advantage and I had a good stage presence. While others looked like they were in pain I just smiled," the 2015 Mr Hawke's Bay and Mr Auckland title-winner said. It will be a similar process in Cebu. Vaisigano will have to win his class, which is his goal, and then beat the other class winners to become Mr Universe.

"I don't know how many other competitors I will be up against in Cebu but I know I'm the only Hawke's Bay member of a 33-strong Kiwi team travelling to the Philippines," Vaisigano said.

The format in Cebu will be similar to what it was in Auckland. During the pre-judging day show Vaisigano will complete his eight compulsory poses and in the evening a minute-long individual routine to music of his choice.

"I prefer R&B music because it is laid back and chilled. It reflects my personality," he said.

Vaisigano pointed out there are no shortage of sacrifices on the bodybuilding scene.

"I sacrifice everything except my health. I have to be disciplined about what I eat but I can eat more going into competitions like plenty of kumara, brown rice and chicken breasts."

When Vaisigano returns from Cebu his next outing will be as a guest poser at the November 28 New Zealand Wheelchair Body Building Champs in Hamilton. He will also conduct a seminar at the event.