Rugby great Jonah Lomu has unintentionally found a new sport to tackle. Despite his self-proclaimed "year-round tan", he will be slapping on tanning oil as he prepares for his first bodybuilding competition at the weekend.
It is an unlikely sporting comeback for the 63-test rugby All Black, kidney transplant patient and new father, but one he has loved, the Dominion Post reported. Two years ago, Lomu tipped the scales at 142kg. On Saturday night he hopes to weigh in at 114kg for the Wellington body building championships.
He now boasts 50cm biceps and will compete against three others in the over-90kg novice section.
Lomu said he never dreamed of entering a bodybuilding competition.
"I just started out wanting to get back in shape and it's just gone from there. 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."
In November, the 34-year-old heads to France for another shot at rugby with second-division Marseille.
Lomu conceded that being coated in oil on Saturday night would be a new experience.
"I've got the year-round tan but they reckon I need this."
