By John Plummer
FORMER British gymnast Mitch Jarvis took the overall men’s title at the BPA’s 11th edition of the English Grand Prix in Leicester on June 21.
Jarvis, below, was far from the biggest man on stage, but his lines set him apart. His physique flowed beautifully, enabling him to win the bodybuilding under-80kg class as well as the classic physique class, before defeating all the other champions in the overall.
It was a great day for aesthetics, with the equally shapely form of Sarah Chapman taking the women’s overall title.
The English Grand Prix highlighted why entries for the BPA continue to rise; the overall champions won £500 vouchers and swords, as well as the superb trophies and champions’ jackets given to the class winners. There were flowers and tiaras for the female winners, who needed a hand to carry their array of prizes off stage.
The English Grand Prix, promoted as ever by BPA President Helen O’Reilly, also featured the first ever Fit Model classes, won by the photogenic and chiselled duo of Prince Affui and Georgina Charlton.
MALE CLASSES
Jarvis, 34, was the standout male competitor. At 172 cm and 79kg, he weighs less than the average British man but his proportions and posing were first class. Mitch, from Dartford, represented Great Britain at gymnastics in 2013 and retired from the sport four years later due to injuries. He has since gone on to become a world champion natural bodybuilder – and you could see why.
He has the kind of physique that sells bodybuilding as a healthy and appealing sport. Afterwards he said he had his sights set on winning the BPA British Championships at Leicester in September. He added: "For me, it’s a hobby. I enjoy the process and feel healthy.”
Another athlete to score highly on aesthetics was Affui, below. Despite being one of the more slender guys in masters men’s physique over-35, he used his looks and shape, not to mention fabulous abs, to take the title. His overall appearance was also well suited to the new Fit Model category, which he won.
Mark Winder was another of the day’s standout competitors, winning the open men’s physique class as well as the over-40s. He faced some tough competition in both line-ups, including the ageless Andrew Taylor, who went on to take the over-50s. Novice men’s physique champ Sarafat Ali made a big impression with his balanced aesthetics.
In bodybuilding, Sean Irwin overcame impressive over-60s champion Peter Beddoe in the under-90kg class.
The masters classes were again fierce. Rafal Kwiatkowski, who has overcome a heart attack, was the pick of five in the over-40s. Chris Unitt won the over-50s. He was not as conditioned as he was at his previous BPA appearance this season. But it says a lot about his standard when he can still be a touch off his best and still win.
FEMALE CLASSES
Peterborough’s Sarah Chapman, above, gave a superb display of balanced female muscle to take the overall title. Standing 163cm tall and weighing 65kg, she won women’s physique unopposed and then returned to defeat the other female champions. Chapman, 36, who started off in the toned figure category, has sculpted a lovely shape, And she displayed it in an entertaining routine that also included a high-kicking move from her other passion – the Korean martial art Tang Soo Do.
Georgina Charlton made a strong impression with her lean and athletic shape, which won the novice bikini category. She used the same attributes and her good looks to also win the inaugural Fit Model contest.
Chloe Butcher’s nicely balanced shape overcame Izabela Sendecka in a high quality open figure division. Sendecka, who was in terrific shape and had great stage energy, had the consolation of winning the masters class. Becky Coulson’s well trained physique won junior bikini and Jane Harrison took masters bikini. Sophie Thompson, the last competitor on stage, proved well worth waiting for as she claimed the wellness title.
