A Man in A Woman’s World – Gabriel Toncean

Interview with Gabriel Toncean, “The Brain and Iron Fist” of the Romanian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation

Gabriel Toncean, the organized and meticulous man who believes in teamwork, is a promoter of sports of any kind and a firm and persuasive advocate for the constant movement in the lives of children from a very young age.

The motto ‘sports means health!’ represents him entirely.

Professor Gabriel Toncean, the president of FRCF since 2013, a former bodybuilder, event organizer, and experienced business manager, supports movement in all its forms as part of a healthy lifestyle through his own actions. Tell us about some of the projects you are involved in and how they contribute to raising awareness among people that movement means physical and mental health.

Fitness Festival, Miss & Mister Fitness are personal projects that I initiated in Romania to promote sports as a means to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, of course, we have all the national, European, and world bodybuilding and fitness competitions in which we participate as a federation.

However, I was not satisfied with Romania merely being present. I wanted us to become the hosts of these prestigious sports events. And we succeeded! Just this year, we organized the Balkan Championship and the Junior World Championship in Romania, thanks to the outstanding results achieved by Romanian athletes at the global level, as well as the support of the IFBB president, Dr. Rafael Santonja, to whom I am grateful!

All these events, both at the amateur and professional level, promote movement as a way to lead a balanced and healthy life and to achieve our goals.

As the president of FRCF, you set many objectives that you wanted to put into practice, and obtaining the right to organize the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship in Romania in 2020, which positions our country on the international competition map, was one of those objectives. What other significant achievements have been realized over the years, and what are your plans for the immediate future?

The next project is the Senior World Championship, which we hope to have the honor of hosting in 2022.

We have received a promise from the president of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB), Mr. Dr. Rafael Santonja, that he will support us during the IFBB Congress 2021 to become the hosts of this competition, which we intend to organize in Cluj-Napoca as well.

This news crowns the years of work we have put into FRCF. Organizing a senior world championship in bodybuilding and fitness is a premiere for Romania, an honor, and an obligation to surpass ourselves.

What is Gabriel Toncean’s experience when it comes to being on stage, delivering a speech, or presenting a trophy at a competition, and what are some memorable moments?

Being in the spotlight requires a certain amount of courage, and courage comes with thorough preparation and years of training. Personally, I have only been on stage as a representative of FRCF or as a public figure. But in these roles, I have had moments that I fondly remember.

The most recent one that comes to mind is from the World Championship in Spain a month and a half ago, where I had the honor, as an official of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness, to award the gold medal to Romanian athlete Marcel Manea. Marcel won the title in the category of ‘Master Men’s Bodybuilding, 40-44 years, up to 90 kg.’

‘Willpower united with patience always prevails’ is the quote that represents you and that you believe in. How would you apply this in your career, sports, and life?

Regardless of the goals you set for yourself, you need ambition, patience, and consistency to succeed. These are the principles that my parents taught me, and I have followed them throughout my life.

Of course, you also need a united team to achieve success. Everything is easier when you are part of a team! So, in addition to the principles mentioned earlier, we add solidarity and team spirit.

In general, for women, an important element of their physical appearance is having balanced and harmonious muscle mass, with a healthy tone and appearance. Which is the most highly regarded category in sports competitions that targets women?

By far, the most attractive category in competitions is Bikini Fitness.

Gabriel Toncean, besides being a professional in your field of activity, you are also a husband and father of two children. What differentiates professional Gabriel Toncean from Gabriel Toncean, who pays attention to his family?

It is not an exact science. Nobody teaches you how to be a husband, a father, or how to balance your professional career with family life. When you love your wife and children, there is nothing more important in the world! They are the team I always rely on for support, the source of my energy, my oasis of peace and relaxation, and they are always my number one priority.

Sports, in various forms, is an important component in a family as it brings its members together and encourages them to spend quality time together. How do you integrate and initiate physical activity, suitable for children, within the family?

Sports in our family come naturally, not forced. Simona, my life partner, is passionate about fitness, and when children have positive role models in their parents, they will follow suit. We enjoy doing activities together, such as biking, rollerblading, running, skating, or even going to the gym together.

Physical activity unites us, helps us stay healthy, and provides us with an additional way to spend quality time together.

Simona Toncean, your life partner, is a charismatic and fit presence, a woman with an active lifestyle, and more than that, she is also involved in managing her own business. Do you support each other in terms of the energy dedicated to your respective businesses to have the strength to continue? What support do you provide in this regard regarding her business segment? Are you a moral support for Simona?

A life partner, in the true sense of the expression, implies mutual support in all aspects of life. Simona has an entrepreneurial spirit and the qualities necessary to run a business. We are always there for each other, both in moments of happiness and when we need support.

Reflections at the end of 2020 and thoughts for 2021.

Despite the adversities and unprecedented situations we faced, 2020 brought us closer together. It gave us the opportunity to spend more time with our families and loved ones. It stimulated us to discover the beauties of our country. It taught us to appreciate the efforts made by other professional categories, such as teachers. It helped us strengthen or rebuild our friendships. Overall, it was a series of experiences from which we could fall into despair or learn. I chose to learn!

In sports, it was one of the best years. The Romanian Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness achieved historic results this year. We did not panic; we did not accept putting the competition year on hold and staying at home. With the observance of safety measures, hard training work, and courage, we proved that Romania, even in a pandemic, can be competitive at the Balkan and world levels. For that, I thank the athletes, coaches, colleagues from FRCF and IFBB, and the authorities who supported us.

For 2021, I hope we have a year at least as good as this one!”