A gym boss who lost a leg in a shooting has won a bodybuilding championship in Mexico after months of intensive training.

Muscleman Paul Villafuerte Suarez, 37, had to have his left leg amputated after he was gunned down more than eight years ago.

The resilient gym owner told local media that sport was crucial to his recovery from a deep depression following the incident.

Now he’s scooped the gold medal in the bodybuilding category of the Miss and Mister Natural Mexico competition, according to local media reports from Monday, 17th October.

Paul’s gym, Las Barras Praderas – The Prarie Bars – is in Naucalpan de Juarez in Mexico.

He now boasts more than 153,000 followers on Instagram and opened the public fitness centre street gym to give young people a healthy escape from gangs and drugs.

The inspirational gold medal winner went on to thank his followers and gymgoers alike for their support.

He said on Instagram: “Tired, hungry, thirsty, but it was done, band. We won first place.”

One elated gym user replied: “You motivated me to get ahead of my depression and I admire you a lot.”