
A 25-year-old Geelong man who was a self-confessed teenage “skinny little boy” has been crowned Mr Universe.
Calum von Moger, 188cm and 112kg when not competing, won the bodybuilding pro title at the World Fitness Federation Universe event, staged in La Ciotat on the French Riveria over the weekend.
Von Moger started working out as a high-school student to keep pace with his older brother.
After the win von Moger, who moved to Los Angeles last year, thanked supporters. “Especially to all my good friends and family at home that sent me encouraging messages and wished me the best luck. I appreciate it more than you know.”
GOD AND INSPIRATION: von Moger on his Christian faith and helping others
The weekend contest, which attracted more than 1 million viewers online, makes von Moger a third time winner. Previously, he won the Junior Mr Universe in Austria in 2011 and the Amateur Mr Universe last year in South Korea.
This year for the first time, von Moger hired a coach, Eric Di Lauro, to help him prepare for the contest.
After the win he thanked his family. “My parents, who are always sitting in my corner ready to reach out if I ever need it, and big thanks to all my fans whom I get so much support from every minute of the day.”
“And most of all I thank God for pouring his blessings out, keep me and you safe and placing all of you in my life.”
Nicknamed Schwarzenegger 2.0, von Moger bears similarities to Austrian bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, thanks to his Austrian and Dutch parents.
Speaking before the contest, he said: “It’s always a challenge when you’re up against the best of every country.
“But I am already so happy at the level I am at and the conditioning I have achieved for this show. Win or lose I know I gave it my all this time!”
Like many young men, von Moger spent a few years drifting after finishing high school. He tried studying, the army, skippering yachts, he failed to get into animal husbandry, tried landscaping, health food stores, lifesaving, adventure tour guiding.
Then the realisation hit: if he couldn’t go to the gym then he didn’t actually want any of these jobs.