By John Plummer
TWO of Britain’s most successful physique athletes this year were the stars of the 2024 English Grand Prix – Tanya Lennan and Nader Zareinoor.
The event, organised for the 10th time by BPA president Helen O’Reilly, was held at the Beck Theatre in Hayes on September 1.
FEMALE CLASSES
Lennan made a strong impression winning the bikini class but narrowly missing out on the overall at the Impact Classic. She was not to be denied this time, however. She first won a tough five-woman open bikini class, before going on to take the overall.
Lennan, who works as a gardener in Devon, started competing in 2022 and has been on a roll this year. Since starting her contest prep in November, she has won numerous trophies. This was her fourth overall title, thanks to her tight lines and wonderful shape.
Lennan said: “I’m going to squeeze everything out of this year, then take some time off to build my physique more.”
The day’s other female stars included Iwona Michalska, whose beautiful proportions and healthy look secured victory in the open and masters bodyfitness categories. Celeste Agrigno also had shape to die for to win the bikini masters division for women aged 35 to 39.
The tall and well trained Veronika Martin (above) took the 40 to 49 class and Ann Fraser won the over-50s. Wellness winner Kamisha McLarty made quite an impression — she definitely has the wellness look.
MALE CLASSES
Zareinoor (below) is also having a year to remember. He has won 22 medals and about half a dozen overalls so far in 2024.
He weighed 89kg at this event and once again had his drum-tight conditioning to thank for his success. How does he manage to consistently turn up so sharp?
“I just spend all my time in the gym and eat chicken, turkey, fish and eggs,” he said.
Zareinoor said he would have one cheat meal before getting back on his diet as he builds towards the end of a season that will finish in November.
To qualify for the overall here he had to defeat five excellent guys in the Masters 40 to 49 category. Runner-up Barry Pitts had an eye-catching shape and his physique flows beautifully. But Zareinoor's posing and conditioning shone through in the rear poses.
Dean Jones took the 50 to 59 Masters bodybuilding class and Andrew Lawley (below) secured the over-60s. Masters bodybuilding is thriving in the UK.
Tomas Jakab was Zareinoor's biggest rival for the overall. Jakab’s mesmeric posing and outstanding structure helped him win the up to 90kg bodybuilding class and classic physique. He really does epitomise the golden era look and presentation.
Dhambir Singh, cheered on by his family, won the novice bodybuilding class, as well as the under-100kg open category. Kevin Norris was the pick of two fine lightweight bodybuilders. The effervescent Ravi Chandla won the up to 80kg class.
Shiraz Mirza is another competitor who appears to have perfected the art of peaking. He always seems to come in shredded, which is a prerequisite for success in men’s physique. Mirza's sharpness helped him win open men’s physique over a very well-shaped Rising Star Allan Bell.
Mirza also took 40 to 49 age category against a few good seasoned competitors who have also taken titles over the last couple of competitions.
We must mention Team Notorious who travelled from Holland, Jaco van de Velde competing in Masters BB 40-49 and U90kg, Martijn Janson in Classic and Under 80kg categories bagging themselves trophies. And with Albert Badrisingh taking the Muscular Men’s Physique title and the Champions Jacket, their trip to the UK was successful.
The BPA season is now heading towards its climax with the British Championships in Leicester on September 29 followed by the amazing double-header on October 25 and 26 at the Thistle Hotel at Heathrow. This will be the Supershow and IFBB Pro League Night of Champions, which together have more than £50,000 prize money up for grabs.
September 14: NFMUK Wales Qualifier, Port Talbot; 2Bros European Championships, London
September 15: PCA Midlands; 2Bros European Championships, London, IBFA South East, Potters Bar; UKBFF British Championships, Wolverhampton
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