A YORK gym owner has been named Mr World at an international body-building contest.

Stuart Garrington, 29, of Rawcliffe, won the top title at the National Amateur Body-Builders Association World Championships in Dublin.

He has now set his sights on the Mr Universe competition – a title famously held by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Mr Garrington, who owns Ebor Fitness in Fulford, said: “It was the most amazing feeling to win. There was such a high quality of competitors there.

“I was definitely the best I have ever looked on stage. Being 6ft 2ins, I have got a big frame to fill. Everything went right in the preparations.

“This is the biggest title I have won, the only thing better is the Mr Universe title. I’d like to win the British title next year and defend the world title.”

Family and friends, including fiancée Verity and parents Pauline and John, were in the audience to see him win.

During the competition Mr Garrington had to do a one-minute routine showcasing his strongest poses as well as being asked to do comparison poses with other competitors.

To get himself into top condition Mr Garrington said he has spent the last 22 weeks eating a strict and carefully calculated high-protein diet of eight to nine meals a day and has trained six times a week, each time working on a different part of his body.

He stepped up his cardiovascular work in the weeks before the competition to burn fat and increase muscle definition, he said.

Mr Garrington, who started body-building at 15, has previously held the title of Mr UK.