Story:Amer Khan
The Messenger catches up with local hero and firefighter, Delroy Galloway. Del won Silver in the World Firefighter Games in August in Korea in the natural body building competition.
From boxing to bodybuilding
Delroy got into bodybuilding at the age of 35 after a 12 year career as an amateur boxer, “After I finished boxing I put a bit of weight on – OK, a lot of weight. I went from 11 stone to over 15 and I needed to do something.”
Del started training and visiting bodybuilding competitions. At the British Finals in Coventry, he asked a stall holder about how to get into competitions. He pointed straight to Lloyd Stewart, of Lloydies Gym. “It was a real journey, literally, I went all the way to Coventry to find Lloyd and he only lives down the road and his gym is only five minutes from my house.”
Delroy’s competition stats are impressive:
NPA Yorkshire Championships 2006 1st Place
NPA British Finals 2006 1st Place
NPA Mike Williams Classic 2007 1st Place
NPA British Finals 2007 1st Place
NPA Mike Williams Classic 2008 2nd Place
NPA British Finals 2008 1st Place
UIBBN World Finals 2008 4th Place
World Firefighter Games 2008 1st Under 80kg (Gold Medal) 1st Over 40s (Gold Medal)
World Firefighter Games 2010 2nd
Under 80kg (Silver Medal) Strict regime
Delroy gets lots of support from his wife Kathryn, who prepares all his food, for the strict regime of eating and training. Del said, “Age is nothing but a number. I’m more disciplined now that I’m older, and you need that, you need to be structured and consistent to keep to the training regime.” He regularly trains at Lloydies Gym, off Carlisle Street, undertaking cardio sessions at 5.30am.
Never give up
When Del’s not winning body building competitions he is a watch manager at Aston Park Fire Station, Red Watch, where he is the officer in charge of the fire engine. Del explained that getting into the fire service was a difficult task and took several attempts before making it at the age of 27. He said, “I don’t give up. I’m obsessive. When I want something, I go for it. Firefighting is the best job in the world. It is a very rewarding career.”
Global competitor
Del’s already thinking about competing in the World Police & Firefighter Games 2011 in New York and the World Firefighter Games in Sydney 2012, and hoping to take a team with him. “Korea this year was fantastic, there were 10,000 firefighter competitors. It’s a great opportunity and I’d like to set up a group and to encourage other firefighters to take part in these fantastic family-friendly events.”
Smoke alarms save lives
The fire service is not just reactive but proactive in preventing fires in the first instance. Delroy went on to say, “We fit free smoke alarms – to me, not having a smoke alarm is like leaving your front door open, a practice you just don’t do. Fitting smoke alarms saves lives. Push the button not your luck.”
Free smoke alarms
To receive a free home safety check, call 253 2314 or text “FREE” to 87023.