By Sally Rawsthorne
The Morning Show’s Larry Emdur has taken out the coveted title of Men’s Health Celebrity Man of the Year, while professional paddleboarder Damien Rider was awarded the much-anticipated Men’s Health Man of the Year. The sixth annual search for Australia’s most accomplished and physically fit man was concluded at an awards ceremony at Sydney’s Simmer on the Bay hosted by Fox Sports’ Matt Shirvington. Fitness and looks weren’t enough to get Rider and Emdur across the line and onto the cover of the May issue of Men’s Health, editor Luke Benidictus said: “We’re not looking for a male model, we’re looking for a model male”.
Emdur beat Home & Away’s Kyle Pryor, Olympian Michael Klim, personal trainer Luke Hines, illusionist and Mediaweek friend Cosentino, former St George Dragons player Matt Cooper and V8 Supercars Driver James Courtney to the title. “It was really hard, I worked really hard at this. On our 20th wedding anniversary, I wanted to give my wife back the body she married,” Emdur told the whistling and cheering crowd. Following his 50th birthday late last year, he lost an impressive 13 kilos in 12 weeks in the lead-up to the awards.
Seven West execs Jackie Frank and Peter Zavecz were on hand last night, while Seven News’ Sarah Cumming was broadcasting the Sydney weather from the black carpet. Seven’s Tom Williams and Sally Obermeder were also in attendance with their Daily Edition EP Sarah Stinson, as were Michelle Bridges, Steve “The Commando” Willis and celebrity chefs Hayden Quinn and Dan Churchill. Other Pacific execs included Men’s Health editor-in-chief Bruce Ritchie, commercial director Gereurd Roberts and group sales manager Anne–Maree Mulders.
Guests left the function with giftbags heavy with sponsor products including products from Michael and Lindy Klim’s Milk men’s skincare range, Lynx shower gel, styling foam and styling clay, an H&M belt, Durex condoms, a Muscle Milk Protein Shake, a Seiko Catalog and a copy of the May issue of Men’s Health.
Photos [clockwise from top left]: Cosentino, V8 Supercar racer James Courtney, NRL legend Matt Cooper, The Morning Show presenter Larry Emdur, professional paddleboarder Damien Rider, former professional swimmer Michael Klim, cookbook author Luke Hines, and Home and Away’s Kyle Pryor