MIDLANDS CHAMPIONSHIPS

By John Plummer

Photography by Kevin Horton

You can view and buy photos of this event at https://www.ukbffphotos.com/2022/MIDLANDS-CHAMPIONSHIPS For details of how to buy all your images as a package, email ukbffphotos@gmail.com

It was standing room only when the final qualifier for the British Championships got underway, as competitors aimed to book their spot at the big event on October 30.

Some outstanding physiques took the stage, and many will return to the same stage when it hosts the national finals in three weeks’ time.

Don’t forget, the first qualifier for the 2023 finals takes place the following week on November 6 in Stamford, which will be the last domestic IFBB show of the year. Details are on the UKBFF website.

BODYBUILDING

Men’s Bodybuilding up to 90kg was the class of the day – all four guys brought national standard physiques and were duly rewarded with British Championships invites. Runner-up Sean Irwin has a monster chest but Matt Wielunski, fresh from his English Grand Prix victory, is tough to beat. He was balanced, sharp and displayed terrific lines. Quality.

In the up to 80kg class, Kurt Millward majored on his rear shots during his free posing and the posedown and it was easy to see why. He was sharp, with wicked hamstrings, and had a better back than runner-up Dean Larkin, who was a little denser overall and excelled in some of the front poses.

The three masters competitors brought a lot of muscle to the stage. All three were a credit to the sport and made for a great posedown. Stanislaw Gomola caught the attention with his X shape and proved the best, taking first place ahead of Chris Williams while Richard Reader took the over-50s with a physique that looked capable of holding its own against anyone in that age category in Britain. Stanislaw Gomola then repeated his success in the over-90kg class to round off a memorable day.

Paulius Berzinska showed unusually good shape for a tall bodybuilder, with sizeable and feathered quads, to win classic bodybuilding. He had to settle for second in classic physique, however, behind Ivo Eglitis, in a tight call between two well matched, well prepared competitors

In beginners bodybuilding Dariusz Nawara carried a lot of muscle for a tall man. He was the biggest and hardest and had the air of confidence befitting a man who knew he was ready.

Omid Ghaderi’s nice shape won intermediate bodybuilding.

FEMALE CLASSES

Claire Johnson gave a superb display of quality female muscle to take women’s physique. Claire had success on the UKBFF stage a few years ago, finishing third at the British Championships, and, as good as she was then, she is undoubtedly a better overall athlete now.

Wellness shows are often won in the back poses and this was certainly the case here. It was light out when Samantha Hutchison turned around, as she displayed a terrific wellness combination of glutes and hams.

A new star was born in bodyfitness, where Vita Bielkina’s perfect proportions claimed victory in arguably the best line-up of the year for this category. On any other day Claire Gwynne would have won — she’s much taller and dominated the line-up with her shape and stage presence.

There was redemption for Alice McCosh in bikini fitness, as she bounced back from her disappointment at the English Grand Prix in the best way possible by winning the tall open class. Bikini fitness is perhaps the most subjective division of all but there’s no doubting Alice’s quality, she looked great from every angle and was awarded an invitation to represent the UK internationally with the IFBB.

Rachael Murby-Evans’ attractive and healthy shape took first place in bikini fitness under 166cm.

Anna Stupienko’s well-conditioned look took first place in masters bikini fitness ahead of Kelly Statham’s balanced and athletic shape. Anna has great shape for a tall woman.

Cleopatra Pronska showed a lot of promise in winning beginners’ bikini fitness.

MEN’S PHYSIQUE

Callum McGuirk made a successful return to the stage after seven years away. The Blackpool gym owner previously competed with distinction in men’s physique, finishing in the top six at the British Championships the year Ryan Terry won his pro card, and representing the UK abroad. Following a dramatic transformation this year, he returned to win muscular men’s physique.

It takes a lot to have standout abs in a men’s physique line-up but Matthew Bicar achieved it in winning the short open height class. Matthew absolutely nailed it; he has a brilliant upper body taper and was rock hard — one of the day’s standout stars.

Kuldeep Singh Chana, who won the over 176cm class, has terrific stage presence, with a huge, disarming smile, not to mention a muscle-packed upper body.

Beginners’ champion Ashgar Fadaie looked nervous but his physique was well chiselled and lean. Junior men’s physique winner Harvey Stone was just 17 years old.

RESULTS

Beginners Bodybuilding

1 Dariusz Nawara

2 Omid Ghaderi

Beginners Men’s Physique

1 Ashgar Fadaie

Beginners Bikini Fitness

1 Cleopatra Pronska

2 Tanya Johnson

Junior Men’s Physique

1 Harvey Stone

Intermediate Bodybuilding

1 Omid Ghaderi

Classic Bodybuilding

1 Paulius Berzinska

Classic Physique

1 Ivo Eglitis

2 Paulius Berzinska

Masters Bodybuilding Over-40

1 Stanislaw Gomola

2 Chris Williams

Masters Bodybuilding Over-50

1 Richard Reader

Men’s Bodybuilding up to 80kg

1 Kurt Millward

2 Dean Larkin

Men’s Bodybuilding up to 90kg

1 Matt Wielunski

2 Sean Irwin

3 Marcos Berni

Also competed: Kieron Marshall

Men’s Bodybuilding over-90kg

1 Stanslaw Gomola

2 Dariusz Nawara

3 Szymon Skorski

Women’s Physique

1 Claire Johnson

Masters Bikini Fitness

1 Anna Stupienko

2 Kelly Statham

Masters Bodyfitness

1 Vita Vita Bielkina

2 Claire Gwynne

3 Amy Cole

Also competed: Sarah Marnock and Aline Castor Do Nascimento

Masters Men’s Physique

1 Ben Hartwell

Men’s Physique under 176cm

1 Matthew Bicar

2 Dobromir Hristov

3 Hamed Reza Jaliliyan

Also competed: Ashgar Fadaie, Lou Clarke and Diogo Moraes

Men’s Physique over 176cm

1 Kuldeep Singh Chana

2 Hamid Mansori

3 Marius Boroghina

Also competed: Mohamed Emwera

Bodyfitness

1 Vita Vita Bielkina

2 Claire Gwynne

3 Amy Cole

Also competed: Sarah Marnock and Aline Castor Do Nascimento

Wellness

1 Samantha Hutchison

2 Tanya Johnson

3 Olga Demion

Bikini Fitness under 166cm

1 Rachael Murby-Evans

2 Kelly Statham

Bikini Fitness over 166cm

1 Alice McCosh

2 Anna Stupienko

3 Cleopatra Pronska

Muscular Men’s Physique

1 Callum McGuirk