Spot quiz: What Bermudian came second in his height class in the 1966 Mr. World competition?

Answer: Burnell Muhammad.

After 14 years living in Italy and travelling the world, the bodybuilder and highly skilled martial arts teacher returned to the Island recently, visiting with students and old friends. He says his study of Zen Buddhism has changed his outlook on the world and that he is now at peace.

He now runs a large school "just outside of Milan but you can say Milan", Italy. At 68, he is as fit as a fiddle and still has the bulk of a champion bodybuilder.

"I'm here to let Bermuda know that I'm doing well," Mr. Muhammad said. In 1963 and 1964 the then Burnell Williams placed third medium height category in the Mr. Universe competition run by the International Federation of Body Builders.

Two years later he entered the Mr. World competition and placed second in the short height category.

The former Mr. Bermuda bodybuilder would later run a martial arts school, teaching hundreds of students from around the Island.

"I have a kickboxing and martial arts background and I used to be a gym instructor, and so we do everything," he said. "The Italians are wonderful people. They give me great respect and I feel comfortable among them.

"For the Italians, one of their main things is that when they meet you, they immediately say "you must come to my house and have dinner". It's wonderful. The only problem that I had was with the language. It took me a couple of years to speak it well.

He added: "I've never seen a more close knit family. They live for family which is beautiful. It's very seldom that you would see an old folks home, very rare."

But Mr. Muhammad is glad to be home, even if it is for a short time.

"People have been looking at me and saying 'is that you Burnell?' It's amazing," he said. "I guess they're expecting me to look like this (making a gesture of an overweight person). Grey hair and all even. I guess I'm full of surprises.

"Just as I once turned over my school to my students here, I've turned over my school in Milan to my students to practice Zen philosophy. For 12 yeas now I have been studying Zen because I twice had the privilege of meeting the Dalai Lama, who for those that don't know is the world spiritual leader of Zen.

"It's not a course, it is consciousness. We believe you are only in the here and now. The past is the past and the future may never be. For us, speculation is a comfort. Before, I was always living for my wants and desires. I have cast all of that out, and I live for my needs."

Mr. Muhammad has travelled to the mountains of southern China in his quest and teaches Zen twice a week in Milan.

Mr. Muhammad explained that his transformation extends to all aspects of his life, saying he meditates all the time, even when cleaning house.

"Ultimately, I would like to open up a school for the study of Zen here. But as I know from the martial arts and from Zen itself, a teacher is only a raft to get you to the other side. I say sink the raft and be on your way. The person I was before is gone. Destroyed. My negative outlook has disappeared and that is beautiful."

One of the early lights in the development of martial arts in Bermuda, Mr. Muhammad cites American Moses Powell for his support as he gained knowledge of the martial arts way of life. He also had warm praise for Bermudians Howard Caisey and 'Blondie' Spencer for starting him in bodybuilding.

"Howard Caisey got me ready for my first Mr. Universe in 1962 in New York. And Blondie, he went with me in 1962," he said, smiling warmly.

When asked about that experience, Mr. Muhammad said: "It's funny, now. But when I left, people said I was crazy, that I was sick to even try. When I left I didn't feel good, you know, a small island boy, you're a dreamer.

"But through all of this, I have to thank God. I am thankful that I have reached this religious belief, which is the greatest thing. More than bodybuilding, more than the martial arts. My spiritual 'body' is far more greater than my physical body."

Mr. Muhammad has renewed contacts with Alvin Lee the Sensei of JCB Jujitsu School of Survival Arts and Princeton and Jerry Bailey of Jujitsu International, to whom he turned over his school and have grown to develop their own schools.

With his newfound perspective on life, this 'small island boy' is concerned for the changes in Bermuda he sees after 14 years abroad, saying: "I see a lot that is not good (for Bermuda)."

Mr. Muhammad explained: "While I see a lot that is good, and a lot of changes, especially buildings on the streets, I also see a lot of stress, particularly in the young people.

"People are not laughing like before, and there is a lot more negative mindedness," he said. "If you've been away you see the difference and its the kids that I'm most concerned about.