James Nikander, stage name Musta Barbaari, won the Finnish championship at the Nordic Fitness Expo.
In Lahti, James Nikander aired the victory of his own length race in the mens physique series. Tommi Mankki / NFE
– I can say that the emotions came to the surface. The night before, I was just thinking that now we are going to finish the work that was left unfinished when I was younger. However, I used to aim for success really hard in fitness sports.
James Nikander, 32, was last seen on fitness stages in 2015, so the break was really long. At that time, he achieved the SM bronze in mens physique. Now the color brightened to golden.
He made the decision to return exactly one year ago.
– That’s when the feeling started to rise. I visited in January Johanna Hermans and Sherko Eliassia. That’s where it started.
Hermans and Eliassi are among the top Finnish athletes in the sport, and Eliassi got excited about mens physique in the first place thanks to Nikander, so the circle was successfully closed.
Far from race condition
This is how James Nikander was at the beginning of the year. James Nikander’s home album
At the start, Nikander was really far from race condition, despite the high-quality soles made earlier. The attached photo was taken by Eliassi from his visor at the beginning of the job.
– Sherko sent me a picture there a week ago. I looked to see who the hell that guy was. It was quite a mess compared to my current condition – quite a transformation was made.
Nikander says that he has lived the last year largely on the terms of fitness sports.
– I set out to wake up the old Barbarian, who still exists. Then the condition went up and got tougher every week and month.
In 2015, a young cockerel was seen in Lahti, who was very fast. Now the comments are much more thoughtful and the atmosphere is calm despite the victory.
– Thank God that there has been spiritual growth. I don’t want to stay where I am, but to develop in every aspect of life and improve myself. Finding my own path and my own voice. Now we are strongly moving towards it.
Difficult years
James Nikander will represent Finland at the World Championships. Tommi Mankki / NFE
Nikander’s life management was sometimes in search. My health was bad and I also consumed too much alcohol, although the situation did not progress to an alcohol problem.
– Now the consumption of alcohol is very moderate, but after this victory I am going to drink one beer, he laughs.
Next, the journey continues to the World Championships.
– Let’s just keep going hard on the same tracks. It’s fantastic that I get to represent Finland.
Nikander believes that he will continue competing even after this competition season. In addition, he is currently working on new music.
– Let’s see what kind of music comes from there. There’s probably room-oriented music, but I’m an artist, so it’s what the heart wants to let out – a lot of emotion.
Black Barbarian’s hit song first at the gym, last at the gym was published exactly ten years ago.
It is not forgotten.
– I still hear about it constantly, he says with a laugh.
– But I accept it with joy and warmth, a small smile on the corner of my mouth.
Selim Vainikka won the WC overall competition between the height categories in mens physique. Tommi Mankki / NFE