By John Plummer
SEVEN superb physique athletes earned the right to apply for IFBB Pro Cards at the BPA British Championships on Sunday, September 29.
The event, hosted at The Athena in Leicester, was the first part of a terrific end-of-season double being staged by the BPA.
The Dr Vic Supershow and IFBB Pro Night of Champions UK will take place on October 25 and 26 at the Thistle Hotel at Heathrow. There is £20,000 up for grabs at the Supershow – which is open to all amateurs – and registration to enter remains open right up until that weekend. The pro show has $37,500 at stake [about £32,000], so make a date for what will be the richest prize in British bodybuilding this year.
If the quality of physiques surpasses what was on display at the BPA British Championships it will be quite a weekend.
This was only the second ever BPA British Championships and once again there were top-class trophies, including flowers and tiaras for the female champions and a beautiful stage to show the physiques’ in their best lights.
MALE CLASSES
The standard of the Masters classes continues to soar. The consistently excellent Anthony Larson finished first of seven in the Over 50s. His victory was a fitting tribute to one of his biggest supporters, his mum, who died just a few days before this competition. Writing on instagram he said: "Overwhelmed with emotion but so grateful I share this journey with my girls. We did it girls and made mum/granny proud."
In the Over 60s, Richard Deeping beat three other men – and quite how he looks so youthful, muscular and balanced is a mystery.
Tomas Jakab’s impressive physique took the up-to-90kg division and the open bodybuilding overall. His fantastic legs and extra thickness set him apart.
Phil Caine’s nice shape got the verdict over a shredded Andy Batty in the 80kg class, while an emotional Jamie Stormont stormed to victory in a terrific 70kg showdown. Jamie brought friends and family on stage and announced his retirement immediately after being named champion. Dariusz Nawara – all 108kg of him – took the super-heavyweight title.
Dean St Mart was a worthy classic champion. He scored highly on aesthetics and also showed superior development.
Steve Beer performed strongly, finishing third in the Masters Over 50s bodybuilding, then winning the Masters Classic bodybuilding. Steve’s conditioning stood out – and he remains one of the sport's finest posers.
Disability champion Kevin Cosgrove kicked off the show by displaying a well balanced physique, crafted despite heart failure. Joseph Benton took the intermediates.
The unstoppable Reza Bahrani was once again the men’s physique king. Reza has everything a champion needs – a lean, muscular and balanced physique, amazing abs, good looks and stage presence. That’s a tough combination to beat. Dylan Cahill had a good go, pushing him hard in their height class. Dylan has all the tools required too — he has put on some timber since his last performance while retaining his youthful and well-groomed good looks. And he had the consolation of landing the junior British title.
The day’s other men’s physique star was Shiraz Mirza, He overcame a shoulder injury to make it on stage at the age of 49 to win the Over 40s Men's Physique and his height class. He also had perhaps the day’s sharpest abs. All delivered with his trademark transitions. Philip Earley showed terrific conditioning to win the Over 50s Men's Physique.
FEMALE CLASSES
It is hard to believe this was Sarah Page’s third show ever – she already looks like an accomplished champion.
Sarah, from Peterborough, has forged quite a reputation as a cosplayer dressed as the late American wrestler Chyna. She has 87,000 followers on Instagram and performs as her alter ego at events. But she is rapidly forging a name in her own right in the bodybuilding world. She won the BPA Impact Classic in her first ever show and followed that up with another victory here, not only in women’s physique but also in the overall female category, in which she lined up against the bodyfitness and wellness winners.
Tanya Lennan continued her amazing year by winning the overall bikini title. Tanya has the kind of proportions that separate champions from the rest. Her combination of genetics and hard training make her a formidable opponent. Nobody was able to get by her here.
Celeste Agrigno secured the overall Masters Bikini title by displaying fantastic shape, capped by good glutes and presentation.
The well-conditioned Kerry Meadwell lifted the Masters Bikini Over 40s crown. Hatty McCafferty, who won the Over 50s, was another of the day’s stars. Hatty finished second in the open class and was unstoppable in the inspiring Over-50s line-up. She looks so youthful.
Lauren Baker, who has done a great job filling out her frame, won Bodyfitness. Kamsha McClarty underlined her potential as a rising star by winning wellness.
Full results here.
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