THE REAL MALTESE SUPERSTARS

Welcome to our Real Maltese Superstars interview series.

This is where we go out and find the real deal – the unsung local heroes that are out there busting their chops to get to the top of their game.

No special favors, no concessions, not who they know – just good old-fashioned hard work to get to the top.

Those are the kind of people we like.

Then, we ask them questions other interviewers don’t – just cause we are like that.

We keep it cool and have a ton of fun doing it too.

So, let’s get right to it.

 

THE LUKE DEBONO INTERVIEW

Despite his hectic schedule, we managed to spend some time with the ever-gracious Luke Debono, fresh from his historic win at the Arnold Classic Europe 2016.

We wanted to see what the newly-minted pro bodybuilder and Ph.D. student was really like behind the scenes, not only as an athlete but also as a person.

We hope you enjoy reading this candid interview as much as we did making it.

So here you go. Let’s dim the lights, pump up the volume and let the big man loose.

Don
Good morning Luke.

Luke
Good morning Donatello, and thank you for having me.

Don
So let’s get started immediately. Tell us something about you. Who is Luke Debono?

Luke
I am an ambitious PhD student and Pro Bodybuilder willing to invest in my education and help my county gain a good sporting reputation within bodybuilding around the world.

Don
What are your best and worst character traits?

Luke
I am very ambitions and sometimes selfish, but I think my intentions are always genuine and good. Sometimes my ambitions can cause me to become a perfectionist which could be seen as a very bad character trait because it makes you less practical.

Don
What got you into bodybuilding?

Luke
I attended a local bodybuilding gym at the age of 14 to put on some weight as my water polo positioning was becoming an issue due to other players being able to literally push me out of position in the pool. I started a regular plan trained as hard as I thought I could. I had an ankle operation after a few months and after being dropped from the water polo team continued inside the gym and never looked back.

Don
What have been your competition wins so far?

Luke
I have 3 National Junior titles. An Overall Mr Malta title. A European Junior Overall Title, a European runner up silver medal in the -100kg Category and an Arnold Classic Europe 100kg+ and Overall Win.

Don
What is your take on the state of competitive bodybuilding here in Malta?

Luke
I think that thanks to a more supportive and enthusiastic committee the athletes are improving year in year out because they are getting more support and all the necessary knowledge from organised seminars that are necessary to prepare athletes better. I also think that the recent successes are motivating athletes to work harder as they are realising that Malta can actually be successful in bodybuilding and fitness competitions.

Don
Describe a memorable reaction you have had to your physique.

Luke
Since I started training twice per day my body has simply improved dramatically.

Don
Do you have an unforgettable life experience that you would like to share?

Luke
That must be the recent adventure in Barcelona. Winning the Arnold Classic Europe 2016, both my category and the overall, giving me the pro card in front of the Maltese fans and my dear parents.

Don
Do you have any interests outside the gym?

Luke
Yes, I love motorbikes and adore travelling and learning new languages. Norway is a country on my mind at the moment. I enjoy reading, especially biographies of successful people, it is fascinating to see certain common character traits that such influential individuals have. I recently finished a biography on the life of Ayrton Senna and I was simply blown away. I highly recommend it, by Tom Rubython.

Don
What are you core life philosophies?

Luke
I believe in simplicity, humility and hard work. Honestly, I am not an avid fan of the spotlight and prefer to be a background person working in silence and prioritising what is really important in life.

Don
I know this is a usual question but I always find it interesting. What are your favourite bodyparts to train and why?

Luke
Legs, this is because I know that bodybuilding shows are mainly won on the quality of the lower body, especially the hamstrings and glutes.

Don
Conversely, what are your least favourite bodyparts to train and why?

Luke
I don’t really love training shoulders because I struggle to feel that pump that most people talk about within that particular muscle. Nonetheless they are surely never skipped.

Don
Talk nutrition to me. There are 10,000 fads out there. What do you believe in?

Luke
Moderation and variety. Buying non branded foods helps with the budgeting but in reality, moderation in the portions and variety are essential.

Don
What has been your biggest failure?

Luke
I feel that on one occasion, I was really being unsupportive towards my brother in on particular life event when he really needed it. This remains to be my biggest failure as a human being.

Don
Conversely, what has been your biggest accomplishment?

Luke
I feel that learning to live independently abroad, and managing my time and my resources has been the greatest skill achieved and hence, my greatest achievement in my life so far.

Don
What motivates you?

Luke
I think pushing my boundaries in all aspect of life, education and sport motivates me to carry on with what I am doing.

Don
Is there a person you would love to work with?

Luke
I would love to work for an institution that can help educate people, such as a university or a renewed organisation. Not an individual in particular.

Don
Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now?

Luke
I literally have no idea, I never imagined I’d where I am now so it would be foolish to even speculate where I will be in 10 years’ time. But hopefully healthy, happy and well.

Don
And now, let’s go for the famous Pivot questionnaire. What is your favorite word?

Luke
Excuse-me?

Don
What is your least favorite word?

Luke
Mawx

Don
What turns you on?

Luke
Blonde hair.

Don
What turns you off?

Luke
Swearing and indecent behaviour.

Don
What sound or noise do you love?

Luke
Sound of a V twin bike.

Don
What sound or noise do you hate?

Luke
Loud music coming from cars.

Don
What is your favorite curse word?

Luke
As a graduated physical education teacher I must tell you that I do not curse whatsoever.

Don
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Luke
I would love to be a lecturer at a University, just like my father.

Don
What profession would you not like to do?

Luke
Driving a taxi or a bus, I cannot sit down for very long.

Don
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

Luke
No comment.

Don
What would you like engraved on your headstone?

Luke
“You’re late!”

Don
Luke, that has been a seriously fun interview. Thank you so much for your time. Wishing you all the best for the future. Keep carrying the bodybuilding torch high. You do your country proud.

Luke
Thank you so much Don. A big salute to all at The BodyForge. See you in November.

PS: Did you enjoy this interview? Please let us know. Feel free to share your opinions and your comments below. As always, we respect everyone’s opinion, but keep it clean and civil guys.

PPS: Know anyone who deserves the be on Real Maltese Superstars? Have any burning questions you want answered? Get in touch using the form below and let us know. We’ll get right back to you.

 

 

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