WELSH CHAMPIONSHIPS

by John Plummer

Photography by Kevin Horton

You can view and buy images of this event here: https://www.ukbffphotos.com/2018/WELSH-CHAMPIONSHIPS

Competitors can order all their photos from this event as a package here http://www.christopherbailey.co.uk/product-category/ukbff-stage-photos/

The UKBFF is the route to three Arnold Classics, paid-for trips to the IFBB European and World Championships, various Diamond Cup events and a $1m Elite Pro division. But it all starts with the battle to win a qualifier and stand on stage at the British Championships. The Welsh Championships presented an opportunity to precisely do that, as well as own Welsh pride.

This year's event moved to the Riverside Theatre in Newport, one day after the city hosted an Ed Sheeran gig. It was time for the judges to assess the Shape of You and decide who was Perfect.

BODYBUILDING

The middleweight line-up was the best of the day. The winner, Ryan Rawlinson, had a cracking shape with a tiny waist and good quads. Jon Lock, the runner-up, had an excellent lower body.

Junior bodybuilding champion Jonathan Griffiths had one of the day's most eye-catching physiques. He presented a well balanced look that excelled in the rear poses where his superb conditioning was particularly evident in the hamstrings. His tan was patchy but his quality shone through. Runner up Jonathan Ellis' arms were a standout body part.

In the intermediates, lightweight winner Claudius Parkes had a classy shape, with full muscle bellies that popped when he posed. With a bit more development he could do some damage. Heavyweight champ Paul Douglas was exceptionally lean – he had major league wow factor when he turned to the rear.

Classic bodybuilding featured two contrasting, quality physiques. Runner-up Luke Lock displayed nice clean lines, with a tight midsection and a good front lat spread. Jaroslaw Lacyzinsky, the winner, carried more muscle, especially in the upper body and was also well conditioned.

 

MEN'S PHYSIQUE

Junior champion Joshua Wall showcased the ideal men's physique look and presentation, with a good tan and glowing skin along with a V-shaped upper body. He also didn't pose too hard, as some in the class did.

Open class winner Bilal Mahfoud is a good looking guy with a healthy, well groomed look.

Rookie winner Ashley Lewis has built some good width on his tall frame. His condition was sharp, with lots of upper body detail.

Masters was close – both Gladstone Simpson and Huw Yearsley brought their A games and were tight, but Gladstone had a little more upper body width and fullness.

 

FEMALE CLASSES

The open classes were all quality. The short class winner, Karina Vasquez, had a tiny waist and full glutes, which gave her a terrific bikini shape. Runner-up Mariana Semchii brought a stunning overall package to the stage, and will be a threat in any lineup.

In the tall class, runner-up Hayley Fenning displayed lovely long and lean lines but first place was awarded to the slightly more muscular and curvy Vanessa Strike.

Laura Hawkins, who won junior bikini fitness, had a nicely balanced shape and with a little more conditioning her undoubted potential will be realised. Louise Adams' attractive and nicely trained form won masters bikini fitness.

Supermum Daniella Scozzi shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, just months short of her 50th birthday she looks better than ever. This was Daniella's first appearance in women's physique and she looks well suited to the class. How she manages to get in such shape while looking after four children, two of whom are autistic, is inspiring.

 

RESULTS

Junior Bodybuilding

1 Jonathan Griffiths

2 Ellis Jones

3 Craig Evans

 

Junior Bikini Fitness

1 Laura Hawkins

 

Junior Men's Physique

1 Joshua Wall

2 Jack Hodges

3 Christopher Hughes

also competed: Jack Higham, Henry Collins and Steffan Thomas

 

Rookie Men's Physique

1 Ashley Lewis

2 Richard Smith

 

Masters Men's Physique

1 Gladstone Simpson

2 Huw Yearsley

 

Intermediate Bodybuilding up to 85 kg

1 Claudius Parkes

 

Intermediate Bodybuilding over 85 kg

1 Paul Douglas

 

Masters Bikini Fitness

1 Louise Adams

 

Classic Bodybuilding

1 Jaroslaw Lacyzinsky

2 Luke Lock

 

Bodybuilding up to 80 kg

1 Ryan Rawlinson

2 Jon Lock

3 Barry Peart

4 Jack Hulcoop

 

Women's Physique

1 Daniella Scozzi

 

Bikini Fitness short

1 Karina Vasquez

2 Mariana Semchii

3 Jade Huish

 

Bikini Fitness tall

1 Vanessa Strike

2 Hayley Fenning

3 Zoe Calaway

 

Men's Physique

1 Bilal Mahfoud

2 Cristhiano Marques

3 Daniel Brown

also competed: Jamie Coe