Page 6 - FITNESS STYLE 1 IN MARCH 2024

Gu

Dian

EWA: When did you first start
participating in sport?
GU DIAN: My first competition was in
July 2018 in Beijing for a CBBA national
competition. While training with my
coach, he suggested, ‘Why not prepare for a
competition?’ The competition was only two
months away. I agreed right away because I
enjoy challenging myself. Initially, I thought I
was going to compete in Men’s Physique, but
then my coach told me about a new category
called Men’s Fit Model.
Back then, the Men’s Fit Model category
stage was a bit chaotic. No one knew how to
pose or dress up in suits, and there was almost
no information available on the internet.
Interestingly, many athletes were striking
Men’s Physique poses while dressed in a full
suit and tie. My agent made comments about
how bodybuilders don’t know much about
fashion or how to wear a suit properly. At
that moment, I made a decision: I would
“ not to allow stereotypical jokes about athletes.
put in a lot of effort to prepare for the next
competition three months later, determined

After working hard to prepare for the
competition, the athletes deserved the respect
that came with an established category.
In October 2018, I won my first national
championship for Men’s Fit Model, though
The most challenging
athletes, and the category itself was still very
aspect of preparing for
controversial.
competitions is mental it was still an open category with only nine
EWA: Who were your early influences
health. Initially, I mainly or role models in the field?
focused on training GU DIAN: I would say my biggest influence
was my dad. Growing up and seeing the
and meal preparation, fitness magazines he brought back from
Europe and having many chances to meet with
prioritizing my physical bodybuilders due to his work really allowed
condition. However, after me to admire the human body as a child. I
remember I wanted to look like the people in
five years in the category, the magazine as a kid. I could even say I was a
I’ve learned that preparing bit jealous of them.

for a competition starts by EWA: What would you consider to be
the highlight of your career so far?
looking inside first. Finding GU DIAN: The highlight would definitely be
peace and joy within the time I won the championship for the 1st
IFBB Fit-Model World Championship in Riga,
yourself becomes essential Latvia in 2019. I was thrilled to score the Gold
Medal considering it was my fist time competing
before dedicating months outside of China. What’s more, I was more than
to shaping our external honored to be the fist Male Fit-Model to be
on the IFBB Fit-Model World Championship
appearance.” poster for the year of 2020 because of my title. It
felt like a dream come true.

4 FITNESS STYLE