A bodybuilding record, set 57 years ago by Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been smashed by 19-year-old Anton Ratushnyi.
Ratushnyi has become the youngest person to earn a coveted ‘pro card’, which means he is no longer classed as an amateur bodybuilder. He secured his pro card after winning three National Physique Committee (NPC) titles in succession, with the latest coming in Texas last weekend at the NPC Nationals when he took the IFBB Classic Pro and was named overall champion.
Schwarzenegger was the previous youngest person to receive a pro card, gained after he won the Mr Universe title in 1969 aged just 20.
After his win, writing on Instagram, Ratushnyi (anton_swl) wrote: “With overcoming lots of adversity over the last year, I can’t stress enough how important it is to believe in yourself and stay true to yourself no matter what others think of you.
“I’m so glad that I decided to pursue my true passion and didn’t let negativity get to me. I took the risk to prep again and challenge myself mentally, physically, and emotionally to not just succeed in bodybuilding but grow as a person that would be worthy of inspiring this new generation.”
Ratushnyi has proved inspirational. He regularly posts on Instagram about his training regime and diet, as well as his dedication – and in just two years he has put on an incredible amount of muscle.
Having beaten Schwarzenegger’s record the sky is the limit for Ratushnyi. Will he reach the heights of the famous Austrian? Watch this space!
