A BLIND and disabled Cwmbran man has qualified for a UK-wide bodybuilding championship final next month as the only non able-bodied competitor.

Neville Bonfield, 33, who is registered blind and has just two fingers on each hand, had to make his own special wrist straps so he could train.

Mr Bonfield qualified for the UK British Bodybuilding Championships final after coming second in his category in the Welsh Championships on Sunday.

The fitness fan, who can only see blurred shapes after being born with sight problems, is a former 100m sprinter who competed in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and the 2006 games in Melbourne.

Mr Bonfield, from Chapel Street, Pontnewydd, started bodybuilding seriously in 2010 after a hamstring injury forced him to retire from running.

The under-80kg intermediate bodybuilder said: “If I can do it, anybody can do it. I was born with two fingers on each hand and two toes on each foot which affects my balance, so I have difficulties with certain exercises.

“I’ve overcome this by learning different techniques and have adapted as I’ve grown older and also learnt through my running.

“Everyone else in the tournaments I’ve taken part in has been able bodied. I’ll be the only disabled person on the stage.”

Mr Bonfield said he treats body-building like a full-time job, training twice a day at Goode’s Fitness Gym in Cwmbran and sticking to a strict diet of seven meals a day. He also trains with bodybuilding professional and Olympian James Llewellin at the Powerhouse Gym in Aberdare.

Promoter of the Welsh Championships, Mike Gelsei, said: “More than 500 competitors enter the British Championships, so regardless of whether he’s disabled or not, he has done fantastically well.”

Mr Bonfield, who is grateful for the support of his partner, Angharad Davies, competes in the UK final on Sunday, October 12 in Nottingham.

He is appealing for sponsorship from any individuals or businesses who would like to help him with his costs.

Those interested can contact 07584 626416.