A former steelworker in Ebbw Vale who took up bodybuilding seriously after he was made redundant has won a Mr Universe title.
And grandfather-of-three Gerald Williams, 55, beat men more than 25 years younger than him in the process.
Mr Williams won the 65kg category in the contest in Philadelphia, USA.
It is the 11th bodybuilding prize he has picked since he lost his job when Corus' Ebbw Vale plant shut three years ago.
"I'm really chuffed," said Mr Williams, who lives in Ebbw Vale and works as a leisure centre fitness instructor for Torfaen Council in south east Wales.
"I've always been keen on keeping active but when I was made redundant after 36 years I decided this was my opportunity to see if I could be a winner.
" I've been dieting for 15 weeks but with Christmas coming I'll be having a drink or two and we'll have to see what happens afterwards "
"In October, I won the Mr Wales contest and that allowed me to enter the Mr Universe. I'm really proud to have won it."
In his category of the World Physiques Federation contest in the US he beat three other bodybuilders, including two men aged 31 and 35.
"Afterwards the Italian man - who was the younger - came over and shook my hand and congratulated me. I think I was the oldest competitor there"
Mr Williams was cheered on in the competition by his wife Diane, a keen supporter of his bodybuilding efforts.
"My son Lee usually turns up too and helps me 'tan up' for the event but he couldn't come this time," said Mr Williams.
The rest of the family - including his three young grandchildren Aimee, Kian, and Milli - also support his bodybuilding exploits for which he normally follows a strict diet including chicken, turkey, broccoli and jacket potatoes.
He also power walks for 45 minutes each morning around the lakes near his home and works out with weights in the gym four times a week.
But having achieved the ultimate of Mr Universe Mr Williams is not sure how much further his bodybuilder exploits can go unless he gets sponsorship.
"I've been dieting for 15 weeks but with Christmas coming I'll be having a drink or two and we'll have to see what happens afterwards."
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