The Ulladulla athlete and McDonalds manager took out fourth place in the Clash at the Coast Physique Titles held at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club on April 18.

More than 40 competitors, including first-timer Steve, took to the stage in men's fitness, physique and bodybuilding divisions and women's fitness, figure and bikini divisions.

Steve, 22, said he decided to enter the competition after a mate suggested he give it a go.

He had never thought about entering bodybuilding competitions, but looked up more information and began training twice daily, six days a week for two months in the lead up to the competition.

After working hard to reach his peak condition, Steve was shattered only 10 days out from the event when his grandfather Alf Colbran died suddenly of a heart attack.

Steve said he idolised his pop and was shattered by his death, but decided to enter and do his best in his memory.

“I did it for pop,” he said, “and I did it for me too”.

“I shed a tear back stage before I went on.”

A multi-skilled sportsperson, having playing cricket, junior rugby league and Oztag, Steve has been working out seriously since he was 18 and more recently began controlling his food intake, cutting out all sweets and counting his daily calorie intake to shed six kilograms before the hitting the stage.

During his workout at Anytime Fitness, Steve also took out the gong for the longest plank, after holding the position for 21 minutes, out doing his nearest competitor by seven minutes.

In tip top condition, he impressed the judges at Batemans Bay with only five per cent body fat and a mean six pack.

On the day of the competition Steve learned there was no novice division scheduled as he was the only entrant, so he entered the open category against men that were 20 kilograms heavier and experienced in competition.

Steve was surprised to place fourth and said he put in 110 per cent, working out as well as holding down a job.

“I was the first to walk out, so it was pretty nerve wracking,” he said.

“I didn’t really know what i was doing and didn’t know the poses or what I was being judged on, so I just did my own thing and it paid off.

“I’m pretty happy with the result.”

A panel of five judges rated each contestant and an enthusiastic crowd cheered as Rhoda Hummerston of Batemans Bay was crowned Ms Clash at the Coast and Aaron McCormack was awarded Mr Clash at the Coast.

Steve said his life basically consists of working full-time and working out.

He plans to enter the Batemans Bay competition next year and is considering entering similar events in the region.