Big boy!



At 24, Dana Baker is a youngster in the world of bodybuilding, but he’s making strides in the performance sport.


Baker recently won the super heavyweight division of the Canadian National Bodybuilding, Men’s Classic Physique and Bikini Championships in Winnipeg.


“I’ve been improving every show and I’m one of the younger guys doing it,” he said. “Most of the guys I’m competing with are in their 30s.”




More than 350 of the best bodybuilders and bikini competitors in the country participated in this event. Baker’s weight class had more than 25 competitors.


“I’m kind of an entertainer,” he said. “I really enjoy the stage part.”


On top of winning his weight class, Baker finished third overall. The top-two finishers earned cards to compete professionally.


Baker is now the top-ranked amateur bodybuilder for the 220 pounds and up division. He weighs 235 pounds while on stage.


Baker got into bodybuilding in high school when he felt he needed to get stronger to improve his basketball game.


He tore his ACL in his senior year, which ended his high school basketball career, so he continued to lift weights.


This was Baker’s fourth time competing at a national level, but this is the first time he came first in his weight class.


In March, Baker went and competed in the Arnold Classic, an international bodybuilding festival, and finished third in his weight class.


Baker trains at least twice a day and eats six meals during preparation for a competition.


“It’s a big thrill because the whole goal is to push yourself to get to the lowest percentage of body fat that you can,” he said.


“(Bodybuilding) asks everything from you.”


Baker was not the only Haligonian to have success in Manitoba. Jonathan Shreve finished third in the heavyweight division.


Keiva Bundy finished fourth in the light heavyweight division. This was the first time in a national competition.


Prince Boabang finished a personal-best sixth in the heavyweight division.


Andrew Dudka finished within the top-10 of the masters division.