When Wayne Doyle was 30, he made a promise to himself to enter a body-building competition every 10 years.
After turning 40, he kept that promise and then again, competing at the age of 50.
On that occasion he ended up winning a New Zealand title.
He was offered a place on the New Zealand team to compete at the world championships in Germany, which he politely declined.
Now, having turned 60, Doyle once again kept his promise, shedding 10kg over 10 weeks to compete at the South Island Body Building Championships in Dunedin earlier this month.
Doyle went on to win his section and will now need to maintain his form after qualifying for the national championships in Invercargill next month.
He said a lot of work went into his most recent effort.
"I started cutting up about 12 weeks ago.
"This meant rejoining the Rok Gym, then gradually reducing my calories while increasing fat-burning cardio workouts."
It had already been a busy year for Doyle, who at the beginning of the year broke the New Zealand group decathlon record and was named the Masters South Canterbury Sportsperson of the Year.
He was also involved with writing and directing the recent Mallet Man musical performed at Timaru Boys’ High School.
"It’s been a busy year all right, but very rewarding," Doyle said.
Getting into shape was not the hardest part of preparing for a body building competition, he said.
"The worst part is probably having to get a fake tan sprayed over your body," Doyle said.
"And maybe having to wear tight budgie-smugglers on stage."
