Malcolm Cooper Wins 2023 WNBF Professional Universe, Earns Mr. Universe Title

The title is Cooper’s first Universe victory.

Written by Chris Colucci Final up to date on Oct 10, 2023

The World Pure Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) held considered one of its most recognizable contests of the 12 months, the Professional Universe, on Sept. 23, 2023. The Professional Universe is held in excessive esteem by many followers of the game, largely as a result of the winner walks away carrying the title of “Mr. Universe” — a championship synonymous with traditional bodybuilding courting again to the Nineteen Forties underneath quite a lot of bodybuilding federations.

The WNBF held its first Professional Universe contest in 1990. In the latest version, Malcolm Cooper got here away with the 2023 Professional Universe victory. Cooper weighed roughly 174 kilos (79 kilograms) when he took the stage towards eight high-level rivals.

Previous to getting into his first newbie bodybuilding contest in 2016, Cooper reached a physique weight of 260 kilos (118 kilograms). The willpower and focus required for such a major private transformation is probably going a driving power behind his aggressive success.

In a contest recap posted on his Instagram web page, he referenced the mandatory dedication and consistency, writing:

“PRIDE… not in an end result… However satisfaction within the earnings… The work. The sacrifice. The intent. The main focus. The hearth. The tears. The research… This weekend was cumulative in some ways…

However we’re not. Finished. But.”

The 37-year-old athlete has a background not solely in bodybuilding, however in powerlifting as nicely. He seems to nonetheless keep one foot on the earth of power sports activities, as he posted an Instagram story showcasing a deadlift of 525 kilos (238.1 kilograms) — thrice his body weight — carried out simply days after profitable the Universe title.

Cooper’s first skilled bodybuilding contest was a runner-up debut on the WNBF Pure Muscle Mayhem in Oct. 2021. Together with his victory on the Professional Universe, Cooper now formally qualifies to enter essentially the most prestigious WNBF contest of every calendar 12 months — the World Championships, scheduled for Nov. 18-19 in Seattle, WA. Cooper final appeared on the World Championships in 2021 the place he positioned fifth.

Featured Picture: @wnbfofficial / Instagram