Lomu swaps boots for body oil
2009-09-15
Wellington - Former All Black legend Jonah Lomu has swapped his boots for tanning lotion in an unusual bid to rekindle his rugby career.
The 34-year-old, once the most feared man in world rugby, plans to make a comeback in France later this year but another sport has grabbed his interest in the meantime.
As part of his regime to get fit and shed some unwanted weight, Lomu has started bodybuilding and likes it so much he has entered his first competition this weekend, the Dominion Post reported on Tuesday.
"I just started out wanting to get back in shape and it's just gone from there," he told the newspaper. "I've always loved lifting weights - just ask the All Blacks - so it's been a lot of fun. I can't wait to get up there on Saturday."
A devastating winger, Lomu played 63 Tests for the All Blacks between 1994 and 2002 and was the headline performer at the 1995 and 1999 World Cups but his brilliant career was cut short by kidney disease.
His weight ballooned to 142 kilograms but after getting back to the gym he will tip the scales at 114kg when he makes his bodybuilding debut on Saturday, coated in tanning oil.
"You do look in the mirror at your body and it's amazing how critical you become," he said. "I'm seeing myself in a different shape. It's been hard work but anybody can be a bodybuilder, it's all about discipline."
If everybody does it, is it still cheating?
