From Mackay To Mexico

Bodybuilding Bronze For Aussie Couple

Ken Ware grew up in the tropical north Queensland heat but said nothing compared to the humidity he experienced in Mexico.

The prominent medical practitioner, now based on the Gold Coast, was recently in Central America with his wife, Nickie, competing in the World Fitness Federation Universe, often considered the pinnacle of the bodybuilding calendar.

For the 66-year-old, it was his first competition since 2008, while Mrs Ware also recently returned to competition after a 12-year hiatus.

Born and bred in Mackay, Mr Ware started bodybuilding while playing rugby league for Brothers in 1982, entering his first competition in Brisbane in 1983.

“Coming from Mackay, to go down to Brisbane to compete against the who’s who was a big ask but I actually won that competition and came second in Australia in my first outing.”

That’s what started what Mr Ware called a “whirlwind run”, achieving high rankings and impressive results across the world, all the while living in north Queensland, where he later met Mrs Ware.

“I was completely alienated from the bodybuilding fraternity, so it made it special,” he said.

“Mackay has that thing about it, there’s people I grew up with who have gone on to achieve great things, so it just has that atmosphere that keeps you very humble.”

Mr Ware’s journey led him to winning the title of Mr Universe in 1994 which, other than competing in Australian Titles in 2008, was the last time he’d competed before this year’s titles.

“It was a big break, but we know what we’re doing, we’re always healthy and well and doing lots of good training so we didn’t have to change too much,” he said.

“We feel very enthused now, all those memories start to come back, and it makes me feel much, much younger.”

The pair spent two weeks in Mexico preparing and competing, Mr Ware in the ‘Grandmasters’ and Mrs Ware in ‘Super Bodies’, both earning themselves bronze medals.

“It was great to be up and compete in a Universe again and experience the vibe of the competition,” Mr Ware said.

“It was a really high standard.

“We came back and we’re looking almost better two weeks later than we did on competition day so that’s given us the incentive to dig in.

“I’m very excited about Nickie’s future and that keeps me on task as well.”

With a reinvigorated passion, the couple continue preparations for competitions in October, although Mr Ware suggested they will be his last as he continues Gold Coast-based NeuroPhysics Therapy Institute.

“We need the break away from our day-to-day stuff, because we’re always working with broken people, very hard cases and people who have very high needs in terms of getting their health back on track, so it’s our way of escaping and looking after ourselves first and foremost,” he said.

“That’s the primary reason we do it, just to look after ourselves so we can offer better help to other people.”

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Ken and Nickie Ware, who met in the Pioneer Valley in 2000, recently returned from Mexico with bronze bodybuilding medals. Photo supplied

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