Mr Muscle's still going strong at 78

Syd Ward competed 50 years ago, left, and at age 78 he's still bodybuilding. Photo / Herald on Sunday

When Syd Ward started lifting makeshift weights to make himself bigger during rationing in World War II, he had no idea it would become a lifelong passion.

Ward, 78, won the Mr Auckland title in 1960 - and marked the 50th anniversary of his victory by finishing second in the over-50 category at yesterday's Auckland Bodybuilding Championships.

He honed his shape with up to two hours of weights, six times a week, at Newmarket's cityfitness gym.

"I'm having to work around a few problems now, aches and pains and arthritis and I need to have longer breaks."

Ward, who dedicated yesterday's efforts to late bodybuilding mates Stan Deacon and Len Coker, said he loved training, but wasn't interested in the "dreaded" bodybuilder's diet.

"I'm at an age where I've got one foot in the grave, why encourage it and put the other foot in the grave with ridiculous dieting."

His bodybuilding career started in England: "I started when I was 15. We started lifting blocks of concrete and bricks hoping it would make us big and strong. We were all skinny, never getting enough to eat."

He said the secret to his success was staying away from drugs used by some bodybuilders.

"I don't drink, I don't smoke. I've looked after myself, but I've enjoyed myself.

But he was looking forward to one treat last night - homemade cheesecake.