New Zealand bear titleholder, Damian Calleja, has walked off with the Australasian crown, becoming just the second Kiwi to do so. The 28-year-old building sales rep from Auckland triumphed over nine other competitors in a fiercely contested battle at The Laird pub in Melbourne. Calleja competed before a capacity crow, fronting up for three categories - Bear Casual, Bear Minimum and Bear Fantasy. "I was shocked and completely surprised to win among such strong competitors," says Calleja. "I really didnít think I'd win, but wearing just a tool belt and hard hat on the first night seemed to have helped!" Calleja's prize includes a travel fund to enable him to represent both New Zealand and Australia in an international Bear competition in either the United States or the United Kingdom, which country is yet to be decided. He also won vouchers from Melbourne's Eagle Leather store. "Me being so small, nothing would fit me, so I came away with some good porn instead!" Calleja won the first ever Mr Urge Bear title in May at Auckland's Urge Bar. "I couldn't have done it without the support of Alan and Paul from Urge, and a special thank you must go to my partner Jae, who barracked for me every step of the way," said Calleja. "It was a fantastic night and a special achievement, both for us and the bar," says Alan Granville, co-owner of Urge. "We felt like proud parents when Damian won!" The previous New Zealander to win Mr Australasia Bear was Michael MacPherson of Wellington, in 2001.