The bantamweight category was for under 60 kilograms.

``There was some good-quality competition because of strict drug testing,'' Seng Lay said.

``When I got there I thought I had a good chance but sometimes the judges can be looking for anything, so you never know you have your doubts.''

Seng Lay started competing in bodybuilding two years ago after a mate told him to give it a go.

``Since I got into it, I have found it really interesting,'' the 29-year-old from Ingleburn said.

``The more you get into it, the more you find out how enjoyable it is.

``I've been going to the gym for nine years but since I started body building I have had to be very dedicated.

``I eat small portions of food and very bland food.

``I'm not going to give away all of my secrets, though.''

Seng Lay said the WNBF looked for natural bodybuilders. Since 1990, the federation has been testing competitors for performance-enhancing drugs, and it has a strict policy of

penalty enforcement against those caught cheating.

``When you train for these things, you have to train for yourself because you have no idea who could turn up on the day,'' Seng Lay said.

``I felt pretty good coming into the competition and I was

hoping to place in the top three.

``I suppose training for a

competition like this does have an effect on your social life because it's hard to go out for a drink or to a restaurant because of the strict diet.''

Seng Lay said when he placed in bodybuilding competitions, it made training worthwhile.

``To win something is like a cherry on top of a cake,'' he said.

``Sometimes my family doesn't understand why I do this so it really shows them what I can achieve and why I train so hard. To me, getting into a competition is an achievement in itself.''

Seng Lay will compete at the South Coast on Sunday for the national qualifiers.