A Rotherham strength coach has earned the chance to represent Great Britain at the 2027 IBFA Mr Universe competition after impressing judges at a bodybuilding contest in Barnsley.
Matthew White, founder of MW Strength & Performance, secured his place on the British team following a standout performance at the IBFA GB Barnsley Colliery Classic, held at Harborough Hills Social Pub.
Athletes who impressed at the competition were invited to compete for Great Britain at the international event in Italy, with White receiving his qualification after competing in two classes.
Kyle Vice, from the IBFA GB Barnsley Colliery Classic, said White’s condition and stage presence had been “nothing short of outstanding”.
He said: “Matthew has great potential to go further in this sport and will be a strong competitor in the physique category.
“It was a pleasure to have him on stage at my show and an even greater pleasure to hand him his invite to compete for the Universe title in Italy.”
The qualification marks the latest achievement in White’s career in natural bodybuilding, both as an athlete and a coach.
Over the past two years, he has helped guide natural bodybuilding star Ed Akay to the Natural Mr Universe title, a World Championship silver medal and three British championship victories.
The pair reversed roles ahead of the Barnsley competition, with Akay becoming White’s posing coach and spending hours helping him perfect his stage presentation.
Akay said: “After all our success over the past two years, it felt surreal acting as a coach for a guy who gave so much to me.
“Matthew’s drive is insane and seeing him find such a high level of success in his tenth season as an athlete is amazing. We are definitely doing the skill exchange of a lifetime.”
The competition also carried a personal connection for Akay, whose father is Barnsley-born author KJ Akay.
His Amazon number one book, The Fruits of Victory, tells a story rooted in post-war Barnsley. Akay encouraged White to enter the Barnsley Colliery Classic, believing the town’s significance to his family could prove to be a good omen.
White returned to competitive bodybuilding in 2026 following several years away from the stage. He won the Junior Masters title at the UKUP Natural Championships before securing his Mr Universe qualification in Barnsley.
