The WNBF/INBF Pro & Amateur World Championships 2005

After weeks of shuffling accommodation and organising flights we finally had a team of athletes pumped and ready to represent the BNBF at the World championships. The British team consisted of 6 amateurs and 7 pros. The World championships were held in Manhattan, New York.

What a monumental occasion it turned out to be for the BNBF and British natural bodybuilding.

The BNBF Amateur team really kicked butt.

Marina Cornwall was the first Brit to get her result and she was the only female in the amateur team. Marina set the standard she was in great condition even better than at the Britain, her professional presentation and rock hard, dry physique insured Marina was a clear winner from the minute she walked on stage. Well done Marina you set the bar high.

Next up was Ian Johnston our representative in the masters class, Ian was in great condition and was one of the most heavily muscled competitors in his class. We all thought it was between Ian and one other competitor (sorry I was too busy too remember names) Ian was bigger and with his superior condition it was enough to get the nod from the judges.Well done Ian making it 2 winners out of 2 for the British team.

Jason Barnett was a massively improved bodybuilder from the Britain. Jason made the team as a Bantam weight and did not let us down. Jason was intense on stage and battled hard for his 2nd place pushing the eventual winner all the way. The winner was biggest in the class by far, it was hard to believe he was a Bantam weight. Jason spent a few hours with Nigel Davis before the comp and he has changed a lot of Jasons compulsory poses which made Jason look more symmetrical than ever and his lat spread was massively improved. If Jason keeps up the posing practice he will be a real challenge to all the lightweights at next years Britain.

Iain Smith our British lightweight champion and in his words brought Viking power to the World Championships. Iain was in his usual incredible condition but was in a very tough class with 2nd to 4th hard to place. Iain has nice balance to his physique with a wide back and good sweep to his thighs. Iain has mastered his diet and if he adds a little more mass and improves his compulsory poses he will be very hard to beat at any level. Iain got a well deserved 2nd place.

The pressure was now on Brandon and Pete would they be able to match the high standard set by the first 4 amateurs who took the stage.

Brandon competed in the light heavy weight class which was a big step from the novice classes he had been competing in. The light heavy class was a great line up with some great physiques. At first we felt that Brandon was fighting for top 3 but as the class progressed it was more and more obvious he was pushing for 1st place. Brandon was another of the amateurs to take advantage of Nigel’s expertise in posing and he did really well putting all his new found knowledge into practice and this probably helped him nail the class. Brandon had a balanced, well muscled physique and displayed the best condition in his class. Brandon took first netting Britain its 3rd first place.

Poor Pete the pressure was really on and he was feeling it, hoping he would not be the first Brit to place outside top 2. Pete was in much better shape than at the Britain and his trademark quads were awesome as usual. The heavyweight class was another tough class with some massive men and we were not sure right till the end who would take the class. Pete had the best conditioned in the class and we all felt he had done enough but waited with baited breath until he was announced Heavyweight World champ and BNBFwinner number 4.

The whole amateur team had pulled out all the stops to produce their best for the World Championships we were all really proud of their achievements. Thanks from all at the BNBF for putting in the hard work.

The overall was next and how incredible to have two British athletes in the overall line up. Brandon lightheavy winner and Pete heavyweight winner. What was even more incredible was that it turned into a close battle between Pete and Brandon to see who would be the winner and become the new WNBF Pro. Brandon had held his condition better than Pete who looked slightly more bloated than during the day and this was probably the most obvious advantage Brandon had. Pete has great quads but lets them relax a bit too often on stage Brandon posed really well and fought hard for the overall title. Brandon was announced the winner and the British fans went crazy. What a great end to Brandons year. Not winning the pro card at the Britain might have been a blessing in disguise giving Brandon the chance to challenge for the amateur World title which gave Brandon more valuable experience before breaking into the Pro Ranks. Well Done Brandon

The Pros

I am sorry that I cannot give much of a report on the Pro’s as I was backstage getting ready when most were on stage so I will only give a brief report on what I did see.

Lightweight Women
Carol Streeter 6th did not seem in quite as good condition as at the previous year when she won her Pro card. Carol just needs to work on her symmetry as she has great muscularity. Carol did well to place 6th on her Pro Debut.

Michelle Gough 7th was in great condition, she always seems to get hard and dry. Michelle needs to work on building her legs for next year. Michelle seemed to enjoy her first outing as a Pro and was happy to get in the top 8 which meant she could perform her routine in the evening show. (only top 8 perform at the evening show).

Sharon Clare 11th came into the show a lot heavier than the year before but unfortunately was not in anything like the condition of the previous year. If Sharon can get it right, she has the physique to place much higher in the pro ranks.

Lightweight Men
David Hannah 6th produced his best package yet. Davie had worked hard on changing his physique looking at his weak points and bringing them up. Davie was rock hard and dry, the other competitors was mesmerized by his condition. Davie's legs were bigger and his back wider with more of a cap to his delts. His routine was entertaining, polished and well received by the audience. Davie never ceases to amaze me with his continual improvements. He placed 6th and was the happiest man on stage even though I would have had him 4th or 5th.

Rob Hope 1st and overall, there was no contest from the moment Rob walked on stage he was the clear winner. He has improved every year since winning his pro card and this was no exception. Seasoned Pros backstage could not believe him they passed comments such as "you are bigger", "you are harder", "you are drier", "you are fuller", "how do you do it?" Needless to say he didn’t tell them a thing as he keeps that info for the British team. Yes Rob was bigger, harder and fuller with a new posing routine worthy of a World champ. Rob has also worked hard on his compulsory poses and hit every one bang on and then stood like a statue never waivering, fantastic presentation.
The overall was between Rob Hope and heavyweight champ Ben Tennison. Ben looked massive in his class and really does pack a lot of mass with particularly great hamstrings but he could not match the polished balance of shape, mass and condition that is Rob Hope. Rob Hope two times Overall World Champion and still undefeated as a Pro. A massive well done from all at the BNBF.

Heavyweight men
We had Wes Clarke in this class. I did not see Wes on stage but know he did not feel he was as good as in the past years.He placed 8th.

Heavyweight Women
Vicky McCann 3rd (again) I can only comment on how I felt I did and how I looked on the video footage. I was happy with a lot of improvements I had made and felt I had gained a bit of size and added a bit more width to my back. My diet seemed to go well but looking at pics I feel I could be harder. As usual I was in good condition from the front but not good enough from the rear. I also suffered a bit of fluid retention in my lower body which was worse at the evening show. I was happy to match the other heavyweights in muscle size but know there are still improvements to make.

Report by Vicky McCann