Up close and personal with World Champion Ben Agboke

Brief personal Profile

• Name - Ben Agboke
• Age - 29. Date of birth 11/02/72
• Qualifications - 9 GCSEs, 3 A' Levels, BSc. (hons) degree in Environmental Science and PGCE
• Occupation - School Teacher
• Birthplace - London
• Height - 6 ft ½ inches
• Off season weight - 17½ to 18 stones
• Pre-Contest weight - 15½ to 16 stones
• Family details - I'm of Nigerian descent. I live with my Fiancée Jennifer. I have 2 younger and 2 older brothers and 3 older sisters (yes I'm one of many!). All my brothers have big legs.

Contest history (Heavyweight category, ANB competitions unless stated otherwise)

• Debut - 3rd South Eastern Qualifier 1996 May
• 1st South Eastern Qualifier 1998 Aug
• 4th British Finals 1998 Oct
• 2nd European Championships (Spain) 1999 March (UIBBN)
• 7th British Finals 1999 Oct
• 4th South Eastern Qualifier 2000 Aug
• 1st Central England Qualifier 2000 Oct
• 1st British Finals and Overall title 2000 Oct
• 1st World Championships (Holland) 2000 Nov. (UIBBN)

My 2000 Season:

• When I came 4th at the ANB South East I was a little disappointed but not despondent. This competition for me was my first of the season and I was experimenting with my new pre-contest regime.
• I was obviously elated when I won the ANB Central. I had tweaked my new pre-contest regime slightly after placing 4th at the ANB South East.
• When I became the British heavyweight champion I was ecstatic. It was for me 'mission accomplished'. I knew that if I got my pre-contest formula right I would be in with a good chance of winning.
• Winning the Overall title was the icing on the cake, I was overcome with emotion and glad that I had finally really proven myself.
• Winning the UIBBN heavyweight world title in Holland was truly a sensational feeling. It was great to have the opportunity to represent the country and do well in the process.

Off-season training:

I train 5 times a week and I train with light, medium and heavyweights depending on how I feel and what exercise I'm doing. I stick to basic compound movements such as squats and deadlifts.

Mon - day off
Tues - chest, abs and skipping
Wed - lower back, hamstrings and biceps
Thurs - day off
Fri - shoulders, triceps and abs
Sat - quads and calves
Sun - back and running.


Pre-contest training:

My pre-contest training is very similar to my off-season training. The main differences are the inclusion of more isolation exercises and 2 more cardio sessions. I train six times a week in the pre-contest phase.

Hobbies:

I like reading, listening to music, playing pool and soccer.

Idols:

I do not have any idols but I admire anyone who gives 150% effort to whatever it is they are trying to achieve.

Inspirational bodybuilders:

I'm inspired by any true natural athlete - Mike Williams (British and World Natural masters Champion), Andy Palmer and Nigel Davis (WNBF Professionals) spring to mind. All of these gentlemen are great natural bodybuilders.

Role models:

I feel that as a school teacher and a bodybuilder I am a good role model for children. Hopefully they will see that education and sport are complimentary to each other and that it's important to have a balance of both for good mental and physical health.
Future goal - My aim for the 2001 season is to obtain professional status.