Representative of Spain in the Natural Bodybuilding World Championship
This young man from Pozo Estrecho will represent Spain in the World Cup that will take place in Prague this Friday, November 18
Julián David Cruz Guerrero (2000, Pozo Estrecho, Cartagena) began bodybuilding under the influence of his father and grandfather. However, at the age of 14, he was unaware of the impact that this sport was going to have on his life, much less what he was going to achieve. Now, at the age of 22, he has already participated in five different competitions, such as the ‘XX Open Nacional Ciudad de Cartagena’ or the ‘WNBF Spain Championship’. But without a doubt, the most important, so far, was the ‘AECN Spanish Championship’ where, in addition to being third in two of the categories, he was selected to participate in the Natural Bodybuilding World Championship to be held in Prague on the 18th November, as part of the Spanish National Team. Something that he still does not assimilate and that his environment considers a feat, since he has barely been participating in competitions for a year. “Maybe it’s in his DNA,” jokes his father, recalling the time when he also practiced this sport.
But the thing does not end. This young man alternates this sport with various hobbies. He is a boxing instructor at the Pozo Estrecho civic center; He is studying for a higher technical degree in Dietetics and Nutrition, something that has helped him not have to depend on anyone to carry out his preparation, and since he was 16 years old he has been working as a municipal lifeguard on Entremares beach.
As he admits, what started by chance has become his passion, and it even helps him overcome the complicated situations he has had to face throughout his life. The hardest, the disease against which his mother has had to fight for several years. However, despite this, Cruz sees life in a positive way and trusts that all these difficulties will help him achieve everything he wants.
«Culturimo has a very important artistic component, since we want to convey elegance and beauty, in addition to showing all the work behind it»
-You started practicing this sport at the age of 14 under the influence of your father and grandfather. How did you start?
-I was a boy who wanted to spend all day playing on the computer, however, my father had practiced bodybuilding and began to encourage me to go to the gym with him. As a result of that I began to train and at the age of 15 I made the decision to take it more seriously.
– What was the thing that caught your attention the most about bodybuilding?
-The beauty and captivating power it has, and that my 14-year-old self loved. I remember seeing photos of my grandfather Manolo and my father, from when they started training and the great physical development they achieved. Famous bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger were also an inspiration. I really like what this sport brings, not only aesthetically, but also in terms of well-being and health. It allows you to have more strength, rest better and, above all, the confidence that feeling good about yourself gives you.
– Practice natural bodybuilding. Could you explain what this variant consists of?
-There are those who ask me if it is going to the forest and training there (laughs). Natural refers to the fact that no doping substances are used. We all know that in most sports some people cheat, or at least try to introduce these performance-enhancing drugs at the expense of health. Unfortunately in bodybuilding the use of these substances is widespread. For this reason, in contrast to this sporting environment, this variant arises, which consists of seeking maximum muscle development and symmetry without the use of any element that can be considered doping.
-He has participated in different competitions such as the ‘XX Open Nacional Ciudad de Cartagena’ or the ‘WNBF Spain Championship’. What is it like to participate in them?
-You have to keep in mind that natural bodybuilding is different from other sports. For example, in basketball or athletics in the days before, you don’t have to do anything different from what you do the rest of the year, which is training or doing a certain mark. In bodybuilding you have to do an extreme definition. There is a lot of work behind it, very strict diets; it is very special.
Many people think that the poses and everything we do on stage is just practicing, but it has a very important artistic component, since we want to convey elegance and beauty, as well as show all the work behind it. It is a transformative experience.
“I really like what this sport brings, not only aesthetically, but also in terms of well-being and health”
– In the ‘AECN Spanish Championship’ you were among the top three in two categories and you were selected to participate in the Natural Bodybuilding World Championship in Prague. How did you experience that moment when you found out you would represent Spain in this competition?
– I still haven’t assimilated it. I started this preparation with the intention of improving myself at a sporting level and learning. I didn’t expect to be on the podium or to be in any specific position. This is incredible news and I am very proud. At that moment I had a feeling of disbelief and excitement. It was very special and I will remember it for the rest of my life.
– The big event is on November 18. What does it mean for you to participate in the World Cup?
-For me, a country is the people that make it up, the customs, the culture; everything that surrounds it. That is why being able to represent him in a sport that has been severely punished, that continues to be a minority and that still has a long way to go, is a source of pride, especially on a personal level. For me it is very important to be an example for young people who practice bodybuilding.
– How do you face this competition?
-Many people tell me that I am going to win, but I tell them that it is not that easy. It is true that I have done very well at the national level and I have managed to finish third in some competition, which is a great position. There are many athletes who want to be there and who also have experience, so getting there is already quite an achievement for me. I hope to give my full potential, come out in the best possible shape and let the judges decide.
-He has said that the preparation has been a bit uphill for him since he takes care of his mother who is trying to overcome brain cancer, however, he also assures that bodybuilding helps him to get ahead.
-We have lived through very difficult times, but unlike what people may think, I see it as something positive because all the learning and difficulties we have, if we face it correctly, will make us stronger. I see it very reflected in sport because it is based on something that mentally requires a lot of effort. Everything I’ve been through with my mother has only made me stronger.
-What do you expect of your future in bodybuilding?
It’s a great question. I would say continue working as before. I think I have a genetic component to practice this sport, if I follow it with effort, that’s why I hope to get many podiums and gold medals.
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