Bodybuilding: Gymshark – Ryan Terry British Championships 2023 |19 October 2023

Bodybuilding open middleweight champion Dorasamy

Gold and silver medals for Wallace Dorasamy

•          Targeting constant improvement instead of chasing Pro-card

Despite his recent exploit where he won a gold and took silver medal at the Gymshark Ryan Terry British Championships 2023 held last weekend at the Manchester Central Convention Complex in Manchester, England, local bodybuilder Wallace Dorasamy said his priority is to improve his performances at each competition, instead of chasing a Pro-card which he said will definitely come at the appropriate time.

At Gymshark Ryan Terry British Championships, Dorasamy competed firstly in the open bodybuilding middleweight class where he clinched the gold medal, and secondly in the men's classic physique where he finished second to settle for the silver medal.

Hosted by 2BrosPro, the British Championship is to encourage a new generation of posers to step forward, whether they are a total newbie stepping on stage for the first time, or a seasoned bodybuilder competing for a Pro-card.

The competition has a variety of men's and women's categories for all levels to take part in.

For his second appearance at the competition – after finishing third last year – Dorasamy has been under the guidance of coaches Jamie Do Rego and Tara de la Fontaine.

In the history of Seychelles’ sports, the surname Dorasamy is most commonly associated to football where Wallace’ father Bernard and uncle Vincent, affectionately known as ‘Tolor’ have inscribed their names in the book as local legends, while Che and  Carlos ‘Jakim’ Dorasamy – both Wallace’s cousins – have also made their contributions to the sport.

It is therefore no mystery that Wallace started is sporting journey with football at a very young , coached by his father Bernard, before joining the St Michel youth ranks, but had to sadly give up football after sustaining several injuries.

It did not take long for him to find his true calling, realising that he was not carved to be a footballer, as per the Dorasamy tradition, realising that lifting iron was born to do.

Speaking to Sports NATION, Wallace explained that it was during his football days that he cultivated the sense of discipline which is key to success in bodybuilding.

For British Championships he said his preparations started since last year, until four month prior to the competition where he started to stream down, leading to the contest.

Compared to last year, Wallace explained that this year, the competition was on another level, with more competitors and new sponsoring brands.

He said he emphasised on his posing which was a major let down in the past, costing him dearly at various competitions.

“Posing is very important as it can cost against less-conditioned athletes, if you do not know how to portray your assets enough to convince the judges”, explained Wallace who added that it took him a while to understand the concepts and requirements behind bodybuilding.

“I had to make a complete overhaul in terms of my thinking, including the whole mental approach for being a bodybuilder”, noted Wallace who added that he had to drop his previous egocentric mentality and adopt a more passive approach, including spirituality and mental counseling to properly deal with all the stress involved in the sport.

Not wanting to fail people who have been behind him since day one he sought after professional help in terms of mental coaching.

He said, not to repeat previous mistakes, he decided to hire a professional coach, while putting God at the centre of everything he does, while adopting a good sense of communication with his coach which is based overseas.

Commenting on his progression and achievements following his new approach, he explained that he was previously chasing a Pro-card as he was still new in the sport, describing himself as ambitious and immature at that time.

Now, he said, his target is to improve his performance and assess how far he can go, and how better he can become as a bodybuilder.

“The Pro-card will definitely come at the right time”, said Wallace who added that right now, it is all about improvement and perfection and becoming ready to carry the weight that comes with the Pro-card.

“Getting a Pro-card means, going back down, prepare myself, and work my way up to compete among the elites”, said Wallace who explained that this is whole new process which requires good planning and preparations.

“ One should never leave something out, hoping that it will automatically fall into place later, as this will never happen”, said Wallace, noting that this is something he learned through experience.

The 32-year old builder noted that he appreciates all the support received so far, dedicating all his achievements to all those who have been behind him.

Other than his family members, he is also grateful to all those who, in one way, or another support him, with special mention to Michael Etienne of the Tropical Heat Gym, Barnsley Antat of Muscle Mindz, and Abdel Sylla for mental coaching.

Wallace’s next hurdle will be at the National Physique Committee (NPC) Pro-Qualifier competition which will take place in Cape Town, South Africa on December 1-2.

Roland Duval