By Gary Chappell
ONE of the best Masters bodybuilders in the UK has revealed plans to compete in the 212 category at the Masters Olympia by 2026.
Nader Zareinoor, who has taken the Over 40s category by storm this season, says he is in the gym three times a day. This a routine which has helped him secure 11 victories this season – with six overall titles and three pro cards. These are with the PCA, IFBB Pro and NABBA.
He is due to compete as a PCA Pro at their inaugural Masters Pro during this Sunday's British Championships in Telford.
Zareinoor's face lights up when he talks about his first love – competitive bodybuilding. He has been competing since he was 20 years old, taking in competitions in Iran, Kuwait and Thailand. But has enjoyed most success during his 40s. This year alone stands testament to that, with last Sunday's [October 13] overall victory at the NABBA England a standout win.
Asked how he has managed to avoid looking fatigued on stage after so many competitions in one season, he said: "Because this is my life. I love it. Competitions all the time, all week, all month. I'm ready for competition.
"This weekend [Sunday, October 20] I compete in the Masters Pro division at the PCA British Championships. And the following week [Saturday, October 26] I will competing in the IFBB Pro show, the Night of Champions in London.
"Then the following weekend (Sunday, November 3], I compete as a NABBA Pro at the Mr Universe competition at the NEC in Birmingham. Then the last competition this year is on November 17 in Milan, Italy, at the NPC European Masters. There I will try to win an IFBB Pro League card, which means I can try to qualify for the Masters Olympia. Then my season is finished."
His season might be finished but that is when the hard work begins for Zareinoor. He has set himself the goal of adding about 10 to 15kgs of lean tissue in order to step on the big stage either next year or the year after.
He said: "I must rest [from competition] for one year because I need to push my weight higher up. I need to add about 10 or 15 kilos. This is because I want to compete in the 212 category at the Masters Olympia. After one year, I'm ready for competition."
Despite just seven days between his NABBA England victory and the PCA British Championships, however, he has already gained 3kgs of lean bodyweight. In fact, he looks more muscular – and lean – than when he won two 2Bros shows back in March.
Oct 13: NABBA England Over 45 – 1st and overall [NABBA Pro Card]
Sept 15: UKBFF British Finals Over 40 – 1st and overall [IFBB Pro card]
Sept 8: UKBFF South Coast Over 40 – 1st and overall
Sept 1: BPA English Grand Prix Over 40 – 1st and overall
Aug 4: IBFA A1 Classic Over 45 – 1st
July 17: BPA Impact Classic Over 40 – 1st and overall
May 26: PCA Universe Over 40 – 1st [PCA Pro Card]
May 25: PCA Universe qualifier Over 40 – 1st
May 5: BPA Masters AllStars Over 40 – 2nd
April 6: 2Bros Ben Weider light-heavyweight – 1st
Mar 23: 2Bros Condition Coaches Kingdom Classic light-heavyweight – 1st
He said: "Every week I'm better than before. At the 2Bros I was about 87kg but now I'm about 92 or 92kg. I just eat eggs, chicken, fish, then when I'm near competition, vegetarian food."
Like all masters of their craft, however, he would not reveal his secrets. "Like everything in life, you don't reveal everything at once. You always have an extra piece hidden for all the people so they get surprised."
He was able to reveal that his heavily muscled, rugged physique is built with three trips to the gym per day – six days a week
He said: "In the morning I go to do cardio, then in the afternoon I train one small muscle, then I go back in the evening and train one big muscle. Six days with one day rest. After I compete, I have one day free and the I start preparing again after that with my diet."
Confidence is something that is not in short supply. Which comes as no surprise, given the titles and number of victories he has enjoyed this season.
Talking about the pro Mr Universe on November 3, Zareinoor said: "I'll go and do it, I'll take gold and bring it back home."
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