Green Valley’s Ek Khammountry named NSW bodybuilding champion
It all began with a dare a few years ago. Now, Ek Khammountry has a coveted title to his name after winning the NSW championship in bodybuilding.
It all began with a dare a few years ago.
Now, Ek Khammountry has a coveted title to his name after winning the NSW championship in bodybuilding.
The Green Valley resident and Mounties personal trainer recently took out the NSW State Arnold Qualifier Championship title in the men’s physique division — an achievement he describes as a “relief”.
“All the hard work and preparation and planning — it’s just a massive relief,” he said.
At competition level, Khammountry weighed in at 81kg with three per cent body fat.
The 33-year-old is now eyeing the national title and hopes to compete internationally in the future.
It has been a long journey for Khammountry, who was born in a Thai refugee camp during 1985 and arrived in Australia as a baby when his parents fled war-torn Laos.
As a child, his enthusiasm for sport was endless.
“I’ve always been a very sporty person. My mum has a military background,” he said.
“I was good at every single sport that I played. I just adapted to it quickly.”
He eventually became a personal trainer, working at Mounties’ Ignite Gym and training in his own time.
In 2014, a friend dared him to enter a bodybuilding competition. Back then it was a joke; today it is his sole focus.
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“I had no idea how hard it was going to be, mentally and physically,” he said.
He credits his success to the support of his coach Chris Thomas, of Alpha Ethos, lifestyle coach Leo Bello and Ignite Gym colleagues.
“Don’t listen to any naysayers. Just follow your own path,” he said.
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