SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIPS

by John Plummer

Photography by Bill Cullen

You can view and buy photos of this event here https://www.ukbffphotos.com/organize/2018/SCOTTISH-CHAMPIONSHIPS

Competitors can alternatively buy all their images as a package here http://www.christopherbailey.co.uk/product-category/ukbff-stage-photos/

 

Celtic fortnight, which includes the Scottish and Welsh Championships, kicked off in Dundee, where a bagpiper playing Scotland the Brave heralded the start of the show.

Two of Scotland's best known figures in the physique world – Harry Ogg and Michelle Morris – stepped in at short notice to ensure the show ran smoothly after the usual venue in Paisley became unavailable.

Thanks to MuscleXcess boss Harry and IFBB Elite Pro Michelle many of Scotland's finest physiques had a platform to win a national title as well as an invite to October's British Championships in Nottingham.

The action moves to Newport next weekend for the Welsh Championships.

 

BODYBUILDING

Barry Cunliffe won the best class of the day, the up to 80 kg category, which featured seven cracking physiques. Barry was peeled and also brought plenty of well balanced muscle to the stage to hold off the multi-titled Brian Soutar, who was in excellent condition and had some great body parts, especially his chest.

Up to 90 kg champion Mark Taylor (pictured) had a winning combination of shape, mass and detail, with particularly impressive legs, as well as an overall healthy-looking and aesthetic physique. Good poser, too.

Ross Alexander, who won the over-90 kgs, is a big guy. He had plenty of muscle but was a little watery.

Vincent Cunningham last competed 25 years ago. Now in the over-50s, he showed he still has a lot of solid muscle and good shape.

Intermediate champion William McDowell was muscular and balanced.

In the classic class Fraser McLaughlin immediately caught the eye with his Saltire trunks. Fortunately there was more to him than a flashy pair of trunks – his tall, well filled out frame took a deserved first place.

 

FEMALE CLASSES

Rookie bikini fitness has proved a hit since it began last year. Numbers have risen, as has the standard, and the top three here all looked more than capable of stepping up to the open classes and doing some damage straight away.

The winner, Kamila Pawelec, had fabulously shaped long legs and you could see how much it meant to her when she broke down in tears at the result.

Runner-up Lysha Kensett was tall and beautiful and had a commanding stage presence.

Rachael Beattie in third was unlucky to be up against taller women and shouldn't be too disheartened. She has a terrific, tight shape that looked good from every angle.

Open class winner Danielle Halliday ticked all the boxes. She had a lovely balanced, well trained form but had also done her homework in other areas too. Her tan, hair, makeup and presentation were all on point to ensure she didn't leave the door open to her rivals.

Masters bikini fitness champion Madonna Douglas had a really well sculpted and well presented physique, with tight glutes. Runner-up Antonia Ward displayed good shape.

Helen Stafford's outstanding proportions were the difference in masters bodyfitness division. Helen showed what a quality physique is all about and was arguably the best female physique of the day. Runner-up Lynn Halliday was lean, with excellent legs and arms.

 

MEN'S PHYSIQUE

Open class winner Matt Wielunski had a midsection covered in hard muscle. Abs are common in this class but his serratus detail was something to behold. A very impressive champion.

Runner-up Michael Parry had good shape for a tall guy and the slender Sebastian Chezczonowzki in third place had nice aesthetics.

Two contrasting but impressive physiques battled in the juniors. Runner-up Viktor Kanev was balanced, lean and good looking. His only misfortune was to run into Sami Naz, whose big shoulders and small waist gave him an irresistible taper.

Masters men's physique was so close it had to be decided on countback. Harry Ely had the more muscular upper body but Duncan Booth had better aesthetics. His tan and presentation were excellent – little details like that can make a big difference when it's close.

Rookie winner Radek Tolwinski brought the best abs to the stage and impressive conditioning.

Paul Ferguson, in second, was perhaps the lightest guy on stage all day. There wasn't much of him but he was highly aesthetic – a prime example of quality over quantity. Third place Michael Smith's conditioning was excellent.

Muscular men's physique winner Nana Osei-Oppong has built some serious upper body width on to his frame.

 

Junior Men's Physique

1 Sami Naz

2 Viktor Kanev

 

Masters Bikini Fitness

1 Madonna Douglas

2 Antonia Ward

 

Rookie Bikini Fitness

1 Kamila Pawelec

2 Lysha Kensett

3 Rachael Beattie

 

Rookie Men's Physique

1 Radek Tolwinski

2 Paul Ferguson

3 Michael Smith

also competed: Scott McPherson

 

Masters Bodybuilding over 50

1 Vincent Cunningham

 

Masters Men's Physique

1 Duncan Booth

2 Harry Ely

 

Intermediate Bodybuilding

1 William McDowell

 

Masters Bodyfitness

1 Helen Stafford

2 Lynn Halliday

 

Classic Bodybuilding

1 Fraser McLaughlin

2 Mehrad Tafreshi

 

Bodybuilding up to 80 kg

1 Barry Cunliffe

2 Brian Soutar

3 Ross Brian

also competed: Claudius Parker, Alan Carnegie, Anthony Gillham and James Salmond

 

Bodybuilding up to 90 kg

1 Mark Taylor

 

Bodybuilding over 90 kg

1 Ross Alexander

 

Bikini Fitness

1 Danielle Halliday

2 Natalia Jachura

3 Sophie Donald

 

Muscular Men's Physique

1 Nana Osei-Oppong

2 Leigh Dreyer

 

Men's Physique

1 Matt Wielunski

2 Michael Parry

3 Sebastian Chezczonowzki

also competed: Paul Bicu