Dallas bodybuilder Robert Brown "heartbroken" as positive Covid-19 test ends WNBF World Championships dream
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A LOCAL bodybuilder has been left "heartbroken" after a positive Covid-19 test ended his dream of competing at the WNBF World Championships.
Robert Brown (23), from Dallas, was due to be part of a 22-strong Team GB squad at the competition in Las Vegas tomorrow.
However, Robert returned a positive lateral flow test on Monday, which was followed by a positive PCR test on Tuesday, putting paid to his dream of competing at bodybuilding's most prestigious event.
The former Forres Academy pupil's symptoms are mild and he remains in quarantine.
This is now the second time Robert has qualified for the world championships and not been able to take part.
Robert was invited to the event in 2018, only to find out he was two weeks too old for the category he qualified in.
"I don't know who, but someone out there doesn't want me to compete at the worlds," he said.
"I'm gutted and heartbroken. I worked all year for this. To be shot down at the very last minute is just horrible.
"It will be hard to watch and see everyone over there competing but I will be watching via livestream.
"Once tomorrow is over, I'll be over it."
Despite the setback, Robert is determined to make it third time lucky and compete at the WNBF World Championships within the next few years.
Robert, who now lives in Elgin, added: "There's no way I'm not going, but it will probably be 2023 when I come back.
"Hopefully my invite will get carried over into 2023, but there are a few blurred lines as it would require a change of category.
"This was my last year to compete as a junior, so the next step up will be into the men's category.
"It's a step up in standard so it'll need a year of hard work to put on the muscle that will be needed."
The World Championships take place in a different city across the USA every year, with Robert now having been denied trips to Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
While at home, he is keen to use the time to look back on what has been a great season for him personally.
He added: "It's good to reflect on the season. It's been a great season, but in my head it's not a complete one.
"This would have been the icing on the cake and the cherry on top.
"But I've got all the information I need to progress when I return, and my future goal remains to win a British title, get to the finals again and gain that pro status."
