Bermudian bodybuilder Mikle Dill says a fire has been lit inside him after competing at the NPC Worldwide Olympia Amateur Italy in Milan.

The 25-year-old, who opted to quit rugby in pursuit of a bodybuilding career this year, finished a highly respectable fifteenth in the men’s classic physique at the prestigious event.

Dill, who finished second in the novice class and third in the classic physique open class in his maiden show at the NPC National Qualifier Tri-City Classic Bodybuilding Championships in Columbus, Georgia in April, says his hunger to succeed within the sport is only growing with every event he competes in.

“It was a really encouraging result,” said Dill, whose long-term aspiration is to secure a coveted pro-card.

“I felt like I was absolutely looking the best that I’ve ever looked and so to place where I did against some of the guys I was up against shows I’m on the right track.

“I feel like I’ve shown that I can belong among that calibre of people and this is just the start so it’s really promising. Although I didn’t win, I feel like it was a success to place where I did at such a prestigious event.

“I still feel nervous before going on stage, but once I’m on it I feel like I turn into someone else. My confidence is growing with every show and I feel confident every time I step out there.

“I’m fully dedicated to being successful in this sport because I absolutely love it, a fire has been lit inside me.”

So strong is Dill’s desire to succeed at the highest level, that he will be taking next year off from competition in order to work on the required improvements to his physique before returning to the stage in 2025.

“In the last show the judges didn’t give me any official feedback as such, but from what I was told afterwards there was a need for me to bigger in general, including my legs, and just to be more conditioned,” he added.

“I’ll be taking the next year off to fix what I need and to be able to get to the level I need to be at in order to be as competitive as possible and give the judges no reason to deny me a better placing.

“There are definitely areas I need to work on, but I don’t take that as a negative. In this sport there are always areas you can improve on and I’m the sort of person who is always striving to improve.

“I’m fully into doing what is needed to get better, I’m excited to try to keep improving and I’m already excited to get back on the stage in 2025.”