2007 Musclemania World Junior Bodybuilding Champion
Biography About 150 miles east of Puerto Rico
lies a little-known tropical paradise roughly three miles
wide and 16 miles long. Thirteen thousand residents call
this unique British territory "tranquility wrapped in blue."
But it's name -- Anguilla -- is beginning to become a bit
better known in bodybuilding circles because of its youthful
"ambassador of fitness," Darren Gumbs. Gumbs, 22, a veteran of more than a
dozen IFBB and NPC competitions across the Caribbean, Europe
and the United States, won his most recent title --
Musclemania World Junior Champion -- this past November. He
views this accomplishment as a door to a new
opportunities. "I started weight training at the
age of 16 because of encouragement from a personal trainer,
Joseph Pradel, also known as Big Joe," Gumbs said. "Before
that I was active in a lot of competitive sports, including
track and field, soccer, basketball, cycling and
cross-country running. I had a good genetic base and figured
weight training would enhance my athletic
performance." Gumbs' first competition -- at age
17 -- was the 2002 Mr. K-Max Classic on his home island. He
placed first in the juniors, second in the lightweight class
and third overall. His high placings and compliments from
friends after the show spurred his interest in more
bodybuilding competitions. "I continued training, this time
for the Anguilla bodybuilding championships," Gumbs said. "I
trained a bit harder, ran on the beach for cardio, had my
mom prepare special meals for me, and worked out twice a
day. After putting in the hard work I, for the first time,
became the Anguilla junior and overall champion, earning me
the title of Mr. Anguilla." Darren's success in bodybuilding
also earned him the strong support of his father Derek
Gumbs, Technologist, Lecturer, Consultant and Evangelist;
his mother Juliane Gumbs, Accountant; and his two brothers
and a sister. "They are very supportive and
encouraging," Gumbs said. "Sometimes they would watch me
train, flex, and, as time went on, my younger brother
Darrell started working out with the potential goal of maybe
doing a show. And, as I did more shows, my mom prepared and
cooked every meal." Within less than a year Gumbs left
Anguilla to compete in two more shows, one in Trinidad (The
Eastern Caribbean Bodybuilding Championships) and the other
in Nassau, Bahamas (The IFBB Caribben and Central American
Championships.) "The show in Trinidad was the first
time the Anguillan flag was raised and national anthem
played overseas at a bodybuilding competition; maybe at any
sort of sport competition; I'm not sure," Gumbs said. "It
was a great feeling, not just because I came in first, but
because, at that moment, my nation came first." But while Anguilla's idyllic
tropical environment beckons tourists from across the globe,
it's small size, low population base and relative isolation
leave an aspiring bodybuilder with few options. So Darren
realized that in order to achieve his dreams and ambitions
he would have to venture to more distant shores. "I talked with my parents and we
had an aunt who had recently moved to the United Kingdon
(U.K.). She told my mom that the British educational system
was very good. I decided to take a trip to see for myself,"
Gumbs explained. "Her sons were close to my age, so I felt
comfortable to stay there awhile." Gumbs completed classwork there in
gym instruction, personal training, sports massage, computer
aided design and acting. These choices, he said, fit in with
his career goals and interests. In the meantime he competed
in more bodybuilding shows in the U.K. and other places in
Europe. "I competed in the U.K.
bodybuilding championships in two years and became the first
runner-up in the junior division," Gumbs said. "I also
competed in events in Poland, the Czech Republic and
Hungary. And, in 2005, I made a trip to the U.S. to compete
in the NPC Excalibur where I placed first in the lightweight
class." Between 2005 and 2007 Gumbs decided
to give his body "a little rest from the constant pounding
of weights." He finished up his schooling and traveled
several times to the U.S. to reunite with his family in
Florida and Georgia. After visiting with another American
friend, Joe Lobell, Darren decided to do the Musclemania
World in California where he would face other natural
competitors in his age group. "I've heard and seen what steriods,
in particular, can do to an individual," Gumbs said. "And to
avoid being a statistic or being another person in the
records to go down bad, I just decided to stay natural. And,
of course, I don't have to worry about getting
arrested." And there were other factors that
influenced Gumbs' resolve to go the natural
route. "I've always been fast, lean and
strong," Gumbs said. "To be funny about it I only realized I
had good genetics when I stepped on a bodybuilding stage for
the first time. I was always good at sports. My best time in
the 100 meters was under 11 seconds. I did a lot of
different things athletically all through primary school and
high school. When I was told I had the genetics to succeed
in bodybuilding, it was a funny thing to hear. As I recall
Flex Wheeler told me that after my first Anguilla
show." Gumbs' Christian faith has also
played a role in lifestyle and bodybuilding
philosophy. "My parents always encouraged me to
be the best I could be, in school, in sports and in life,"
Gumbs explained. "And they would always quote to me to have
faith, trust in God, and believe, because God helps those
who help themselves." Gumbs recalls one particular event
that tied together his religious upbringing, his athletic
ability, and his current bodybuilding and acting
aspirations. "Back in 2001 during the summer
season the church I attended had special programs involving
young people from the age of 30 and below. We were split
into two groups and would 'battle' one another on aspects of
the Bible, sports and drama," Gumbs said. "As a key member
of my group I did everything, but little did I know that the
play I would be participating in would steer my future for
years to come. "My group did the Samson and
Delilah play," he continuied. "I was chosen to play the role
of Samson because of my body structure. I was fairly built
as a young man because of all the sports and exercises I did
at a very young age. So I looked the part. That play was so
funny. As a result I performended the part of Samson with
such intensity it was almost effortless. At that point
Joseph (Pradel), who was in the crowd, approached me about
training, and that's where it all started." Six years later, Gumbs has found
his place on stage, not yet as an actor, but as an
accomplished natural bodybuilder. Someday, he hopes, all the
world will be his stage.
Contact Darren by email for photo shoots or other information