BULKY Jacob Taylor is only two competitions into his bodybuilding career, but he has already been invited to compete against thousands of others in one of Europe’s largest events.

Hosted and named after Arnold Schwarzenegger, the man who brought bodybuilding to the masses, the Arnold Classic, in Madrid, boasts 4,000 competitors and 30,000 visitors.

And if the former Rhyddings Oswaldtwistle student is successful, he’ll be presented with his award by the man himself.

Jacob, 27, of Moss Street, Great Harwood, signed up for the army in 2009, and began powerlifting while serving in the 35 engineer regiment.

He said: “I never really thought about competing until last year. I met a trainer who took me under his wing and encouraged me to do it.

“I entered the Welsh Grand Prix, but didn’t really expect to do as well as I did.

“I ended up winning the under-90kg class, and was also crowned overall winner. From there, I’ve been invited to the Arnold Classic, which is a huge event in September, and I just can’t wait.”

Jacob says he loves the discipline and routine that the sport gives him, and finds the ‘monotony’ of it addictive, and something he couldn’t live without.

And, with his bodybuilding going from strength to strength, he has launched his own range of sportswear called Taylor Made Kings.

“Lots of bodybuilders launch a clothing range, which is weird considering that most of the time we have hardly any clothes on!,” he said.

“I changed my name from Jacob Heap to Jacob Taylor in 2012 out of respect for my stepdad who has done so much for me.

“He raised me from being two years old, so it seemed only right that it was his name that ended up on the clothes, and any trophies I won.

“It’s been going really well and I never expected it to be as popular as it is.”