Well the day of the Central champs meant a short drive to St Albans where I was met by the BNBF crew of Vicki, Rob, Big Chris, Guy to name just a few.

With so many competitors I knew I would have my work cut out for the report but here goes nothing.

MASTERS
First of all these guys are a tribute to good eating and training and all looked great. The two physiques that stood out to me in the pre-judging were Colin Dillon and Tommy Campion. Whilst Colin had the size on Tommy, the latter seemed to show every single muscle that exists when he turned round to show his back. Colin’s legs were a little light but on the day this made little difference as he was a clear first place. By the evening show Tommy seemed to have lost some of the crispness from pre-judging while Patrick Duffy on the other hand looked much harder by the evening show and had the hardest glutes and hams in the whole class. Colin’s posing was something to behold and his gracefulness, size and class made him difficult to beat. Patrick took second with Tommy 3rd.in what I am told was a ding dong battle!!! A special mention to 4th placed Shaun Maddock, who not only qualified for the Britain with a great physique but also had the loudest support ever from his daughters Kirsty and Michelle. Also congrats to David Brice who looked the best I have seen him to take the Over 60 title.

JUNIORS
From the scholars to the young pretenders, the juniors were next on with Perri Mahmoud defending his title. Andrew “The Beast” Beeston walked on stage and although others came close he was always going to be the one to beat. The Beast’s physique drew comparisons to a young Dean Garrett shape wise, although I feel he needs to work harder on his legs to take the next step up. Thick muscle from top to bottom, he will need to come in harder for the Britain to repeat his first place here. Second went to Perri Mahmoud, lean if a little light, but looked better in the evening (what do these Muscle Limits guys do for the evening shows) and put together a flowing routine to push himself into 2nd place. 3rd went to Kai Paul who had a great V shape and was unlucky not to get 2nd in my opinion. The Under 18 winner Andrew Jackson turned up with ripped glutes and the hardest lower half in the juniors (except for Chownie but that’s a different story!!!). Fourth place went to Anthony Rodriguez.

NOVICE
The sheer size of this class could warrant a two page report on its own…..but I’ll keep it short. The 4 standout physiques placed in the top 4….always a good start I feel!! 1st place went to Tygoli Ano who was shredded in the top half but soft in the legs. He either didn’t tense his legs or needs to diet harder to show some cuts. In any case his upper body took him to the Britain as class winner. Mark Claxton got 2nd place and has masses of potential. I feel he was simply overwhelmed by the size of Tygoli but mark was lean if not ripped and posed well throughout. Very aesthetic and will do well at the Britain, but maybe needs a year off to add some size to compete against other heavy novice competitors or move to a weight class to gain some glory. 3rd went to Clive West with 4th place to Andrew McGlashon. Unfortunately music problems beset a couple of athletes in this class but all posed well nonetheless. Some competitors however would be better training harder and dieting longer before getting on stage.

FIGURE
Sponsored by Peter Chown’s imagination!!!!!!!!!

As soon as the competitors came on stage Nikki Burrows was in a class of her own. I have seen her train over the weeks and her dedication paid off in truck loads. She looked great, with buns of steel. Her posing was fluent and showed her physique off to its best. By far the hardest female competitor of the day in any class. Great win and a favourite for the Britain. Caroline Oram placed second and was unfortunate to come against Nikki at her best. No doubt these two will renew their rivalry at the Britain. 3rd went to Angie Weston whose routine again was well thought out although trying to hit the MC with her hat may have lost her points.

LIGHTWEIGHT CLASS
Parking up I had seen Andy Merrifield getting out of his car and to be honest I felt like telling the others to go home. The winner by a country mile. He was big, and looked like he should have been in another class (one all on his own called “FREAKY CLASS”). His back was shredded top to bottom and his class was just sick.. Great routine aswell. A really friendly guy who eats trifle for a living. Shame about the haircut though!!!
The battle for second place was apples v pears if you will excuse the pun. John Berry had a thickly muscled ripped upper body with good legs, whilst Glen Danbury had legs that looked they belonged to heavyweight and a good upper body. Glen in his own admission could have a little harder and his front relaxed could do with some refining but both John and Glen fought hard for 2nd place. After much debating Glen placed 2nd and John 3rd – hopefully these two will battle again at the Britain. A quick mention that John’s most muscular made the veins in his forehead come out aswell as across his chest and arms. Nasty!

MIDDLEWEIGHT CLASS
Although I may get some flak for this, this class was perhaps the poorest of a good competition. Rob “Hollywood” Riches took first place and was hard in his upper body from the front with the best abs in the show but when he turned around it was a completely different story. Rob needs to work more on his back both size and thickness and also his legs which are needed to finish off this polished physique. Saying that Rob did possess a set of ripped glutes. Rob please don’t take this wrong as you have a great physique and I am just pointing out the next steps required for the finish article. 2nd place went to John Wattam who possessed an eagle like lat spread and 3rd to Tomasz Kepski. The support for the middleweight guys was off the hook and I am sure the guys here are getting their minds set for an assault on what is perhaps the most open British MW class yet.

HEAVYWEIGHT

With Lee Williams promising lots from “his” guy in the middleweights we were a bit bemused until Michael Hunter stepped on stage.Michael was big and lean, without being shredded. Huge legs and chest and comfortably took 1st place in my opinion (Michael Hunter has since been banned for use of Banned Substances). Chris “Comeback Kid” Cowan took second in his first show for a while and I think his first with the BNBF. Chris did enough to qualify with a thickly muscled physique, although knowing how he can look I am sure he will be right up there at the Britain with this show’s MC. Sam Bond took 3rd and this guy has perhaps the most potential of all athletes around today. Absolutely huge and holds himself well on stage. With some guidance from a seasoned competitor on holding his poses and coming in tighter he will be unstoppable. Small thing but he could smile more on stage as he looked a little uninterested after the symmetry round. Colin Dillon finished off the top 4.

MISS PHYSIQUE

Lisa Carrodus took first place in this class and looked composed throughout and untroubled by the others. Will need to be a little tighter to snatch the British but lots of time to attend to this minor point. Mandy Grace took second with Lesley Haswell third. Good luck for the finals girls.

Nikki Burrows deservedly won the best female poser award and that will no doubt spur her towards the British Finals.

OVERALL

I left before this award but it was no surprise to hear that Andy Merrifield cleaned up with Best Wheels, Best Poser and Overall Title. A great champ!

A great competition and as always good to meet up with Fivos “I wear shirts from Mothercare” Averikou, Pete “mmmm Figure Competitors” Chown, John Chalmers and his family, Gary Hill, Vince “the Best” Mwayi and everyone else I have failed to mention……my apologies. Special shout to Rob Hope’s mum for providing Sweetbread for the hungry bodybuilders…..you still need to get me the recipe Rob so don’t forget.