Who is Darryn Onekawa?
Professional bodybuilder Darryn Onekawa hails from Rotorua, New Zealand. In 2003, he made his bodybuilding debut by taking first place in the INBA South Pacific Champions competition.
Short Career of Darryn Onekawa
Darryn Onekawa developed his career throughout the years and now works as a motivational speaker and professional bodybuilder.
Darryn, however, did not have a smooth path to success. He battled a very severe form of depression between 2012 and 2017. resulting in him giving up bodybuilding and putting on more than 40 kg of unhealthy weight.
Darryn overcame the sickness, though, and went on to become one of the top bodybuilders from New Zealand.
Body Measurements of Darryn Onekawa
| Full Name: | Darryn Onekawa |
| WEIGHT: | 255 to 265 lbs.(115.7 – 120.2kg) |
| ERA: | 2000, 2010 |
| PROFESSION: | Professional Bodybuilder |
| NATIONALITY: | New Zealander |
| HEIGHT: | 5’11” (180cm) |
Accomplishments
Competitions
- INBA South Pacific Champs Novice Men Tall, 2003, 1st place
- NABBA Nationals Open Men Tall Class, 2005, 1st place and Overall Open Men’s Champion
- IFBB Elite Pro Show 3rd kiwi, 2008, 5th overall
- NZFBB Central North Island Champs Open Men’s 100kg, 2009, 1st place & Overall Men’s Champ
- NZFBB Nationals Open Men’s 100kg, 2009, 1st place & Overall Men’s Champ
- Grand Prix Australia, IFBB, 2011, 7th
- Grand Prix Australia, IFBB, 2012, 4th
- Arnold Classic Australia, 2017, 6th
Biography
Darryn’s Childhood
Darryn Onekawa was raised in Rotorua, New Zealand, where he was born. where he has ever since resided.
Darryn experienced bullying as a child due to his underweight and “thin” appearance, which made him angry.
Darryn began playing rugby for Rotorua High School as a way to get his frustrations out.
However, I was 14 years old. Darryn’s father encouraged him to pursue bodybuilding as a different form of exercise. While Darryn was ill at home one day.
He was given the 1989 Mr. Olympia tape by his father. This “seeded the seed” for bodybuilding in him, as Darryn put it.
At the age of 17, Darryn started lifting weights three years later. As he puts it, “I had played a lot of rugby at school, but I wanted something else to keep me occupied.” -Daryl Onekawa
His Competitive Career Has Just Begun
Darryn Onekawa soon developed a body that grabbed the attention of everyone around him as a result of a series of events. Darryn was subsequently approached with the suggestion that he attempt competing in a bodybuilding show.
“Someone came up to me and suggested that you try having a bodybuilding show, and the rest is history,”
Darryn then began competing in every single local bodybuilding contest he could find.
Getting a Pro
after years of rank-climbing competition. 2009 New Zealand Nationals Overall and in his category belonged to Darryn. He was so eligible for the Pro Card.
Darryn describes what it was like to turn professional in the following way: “It was a sensation of total ecstasy. I was quite happy.
For me, getting my IFBB pro card is like being chosen to be an All-Black, just as for someone else who has always wanted to be one. -Daryl Onekawa
Formula One Australia
At the IFBB Grand Prix Australia in 2011, Darryn made his professional debut. He finished the competition that day in seventh place.
He participated in the same show again a year later, improving his placement by three spots.
Darryn’s Battle Against Depression
Unfortunately, Darrnyn’s life wasn’t “sunshine and rainbows” during this time. Darryn experienced a series of life events that led to his profound despair.
which resulted in him quitting bodybuilding and locking himself up entirely for the following five years. Darryn put on almost 40 kilograms of extra weight during the procedure.
It came to the point where I was clutching a fistful of pills when the thought ‘I’ve got to be there for my kid’ rushed through my head and terrified the very daylights out of me. I had to take action. -Daryl Onekawa
Darryn began regaining control of his life after suffering from depression for five years.
But as Darryn noted, “Depression is not something that you’re like ‘yeah you’re all right now buddy, off you go, thanks a lot, cheers’ and you wake up one day and you’re OK. It’s something you carry around with you always.
Resuming bodybuilding
Darryn began getting ready for his return to bodybuilding in 2017. Only 16 weeks away, the Arnold Classic Australia, he determined, would be the venue.
Darryn didn’t let the brief window of time stop him from changing his body, though. He was able to shed all the extra weight and regain his former, lean figure in this brief period.
In the highly tough 2017 Arnold Classic Australia, Darryn outperformed himself by placing sixth.
Darryn claimed that his daughter and return to bodybuilding helped him overcome his challenges after the event.
The bodybuilding competition was something to strive towards and use as a tool, according to Darryn. For me, it was about achieving goals and improving both emotionally and physically.
“We occasionally lose sight of the work we put in to get where we are. I decided to compete again in 2017 after taking a 5-year hiatus.
I shed a total of just about 40 kilos during the 16 weeks, going from 158 kg of fat to 120 kg at 4%. You can accomplish it if I can. Set a goal and move forward with it!
Training
Five Training Hours
Darryn used to train up to five hours a day when he was at his best. He did two aerobic workouts a day, one in the morning and one in the evening.
Then, one primary strength-training session that occasionally lasted three hours.
Darryn kept his training simple, focusing on compound movements for adding mass and isolations for sculpting particular body areas.
Exercise for Darryn’s Shoulders
- Seated Shoulder Press, 3 sets of 8-12 reps
- Seated Side Delt “Swingers”, 3 sets of 8-12 reps
- Arnold Dumbbell Press, 3 sets of 8-12 reps
- Front Barbell Raise, 3 sets of 8-12 reps
- Upright Row with a Cable, 3 sets of 8-12 reps
- Rear Delt Cable Flys, 3 sets of 8-12 reps
- Dumbbell Rear Delt Flys on an Incline Bench, 3 sets of 8-12 reps
Nutrition
Whether he enters competitions or not, Darryn maintains a straightforward and reliable nutrition plan. He’ll make an effort to include a lot of vegetables in his diet while eating lean, healthy foods.
When preparing for a competition, Darryn will eliminate items heavy in calories, like fats and carbohydrates.
Darryn’s diet before the competition;
- 1st Meal (8:30 A.M) – 10 egg whites, porridge, and a protein shake
- 2nd Meal (10 A.M) – tea, five egg whites, tuna, and sweet potato
- 3rd Meal (12.30 P.M) – chicken breast, sweet potato, and a protein shake
- 4th Meal (2.30 P.M) – 5 egg whites, tuna, and sweet potato
- 5th Meal (4.30 P.M) – chicken breast, sweet potato, and a protein shake
- 5.30 P.M – Pre-workout, BCAAs
- Snack (post-workout) – Protein Shake
- 6th Meal (8.30 P.M) – Chicken, protein shake, green beans
- Bedtime Snack (10.30 P.M) – Protein Shake
A Typical Breakfast for Darryn Onekawa
Here’s another variation of Darryn’s breakfast;
- Protein: 5 egg whites, 2 scoops of vanilla whey
- Vegetables/Carbs: broccoli, celery, spinach, carrot
- Fruits/Carbs: oranges, apple
- Other: wheatgrass, spirulina
“Winners never quit, that’s all I know. Life throws its fair share of hurdles at us. Quite often when we fall it’s because there’s something down there we need to find.
Never give up….it may take a few goes and sometimes it may seem that it will never get easier, but stay strong and believe in yourself!!!”
Influences and Idols
Darryn battled depression for five years before finding the willpower to get better thanks to his daughter. According to Darryn, his daughter gave him the courage and inspiration he needed to face any challenge in his life.
Dorian Yates, the illustrious bodybuilder, is another source of inspiration for Darryn. Here’s what Darryn had to say about Dorian:
“Without a doubt, the person who has influenced me the most in bodybuilding was when I first began working out.
Although it’s sometimes not a good idea to meet your heroes because you can be disappointed, that was not the case with Dorian Yates, who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting multiple times. A true gentleman and champion. -Daryl Onekawa
“Bodybuilding is a marathon, not a sprint, is the one thing I’ve learned through the years. to take in the scenery and keep in mind the little things in life that are important.
What Is There That Darryn Onekawa Can Teach Us?
Bullied all through his school years, and afterward struggled with depression. Darryn Onekawa has demonstrated to us that no obstacle is insurmountable.
by learning from people like Dorian Yates and drawing courage from his daughter. Darryn has advanced significantly during his life and bodybuilding career.
His tale serves as a reminder that your thinking is your worst foe. Nothing can prevent you from achieving your life goals if you can gain control of it.