COUNTDOWN TO THE ARNOLD!
The countdown to the Arnold Classic Europe is on!
Well over 1,000 competitors are expected to line-up on stage at the event, which takes place over three days from September 28-30 in Barcelona.
The Arnold, which Arnold himself is due to attend, along with IFBB president Dr Rafael Sanjonja, is Europe's largest multi-sport festival, featuring more than 40 sports such as weightlifting, mixed martial arts and powerlifting.
Nick Swann, who was second in the over-50s at last year's British Championships. PHOTO: Christopher Bailey
Now in its eighth year, it attracts 50,000 visitors, 5,000 athletes and 150 companies in total.
The physique events are open to athletes affiliated to the IFBB. There are 197 national IFBB organisations, and the UKBFF will be strongly represented.
This weekend's UKBFF North-East Championships in Pudsey is the final chance to qualify so contact the UKBFF if you wish to take part and try to book your place in Barcelona.
The UK team highlights the sport's diversity, with athletes ranging from the likes of over-50s bodybuilder Nick Swann to up-and-coming bikini fitness stars, such as Marta Mila and Rebeka Tunegova.
Reigning British junior bikini fitness champion Marta Mila will compete in the seniors. PHOTO: Christopher Bailey
One of the features of the IFBB Elite Pro's $1m pro division this year has been the more even distribution between categories, with women earning about the same as men.
Remember, IFBB events are recognised by more than 90 national Olympic committees, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and SportAccord, the umbrella body for international sports federations.
The Elite Pro division will make its debut at the Arnold and ticket sales for this Saturday night event are currently up on the same time for last year's pro show.
The pro show has classes for bodybuilding, classic bodybuilding, men's physique, bikini fitness and fitness. Rasto Valent will represent the UK in men's physique.
Men's physique star Rasto Valent is going for glory in the IFBB Elite Pro show.
Team UK
1
Alaa Kanone
Classic Bodybuilding
2
Alex Woods
Junior Men’s Physique
3
Alexander Brimelow
Masters Men’s Physique
4
Amy Payne
Wellness
5
Anna Pearson
Bikini Fitness -169 cm and Masters Bikini
6
Anna Stapley
Master Bikini 1982
7
Anne Bulmer
Masters Bikini Fitness up to 163 cm
8
Austin Williams
Classic Bodybuilding
9
Becky Goodall
Master Bikini Fitness Over 163 cm
10
Becky West
Bikini Fitness over 172 cm
11
Ben Smith
Men’s Physique up to 182 cm
12
Carly Howlett
Master Bikini Fitness up to 163 cm
13
Cassie Hunter
Bikini Fitness Over 169 cm
14
Chloe Greenwood
Bikini Fitness -158
15
Claire Johnson
Women's Physique
16
Davide Nuzzo
Muscular MPH
17
Dominika Korzen
Bikini Fitness over 172 cm
18
Emi Wokoma
Bodyfitness
19
Etin Nosa
MPH +182 cm
20
Giancarlo Brigginshaw
Men’s Bodybuilding 80 kg
21
Giuliano Mateas
Junior Men's Physique
22
Greta Supinaite
Bikini Fitness up to 169 cm
23
Jade Packer
Wellness
24
Jay Howlett
Master Men’s Physique
25
Jodie Frazer
Wellness Bikini Fitness
26
Josiah Cave
BB -70 kg
27
Kate Batten
Bikini Fitness up to 160 cm
28
Katerina Jakubcova
Master Bikini Fitness
29
Keith Turner
Classic Bodybuilding
30
Kieran Westlake
Classic Bodybuilding -178 cm
31
Kristie Sanderson
Bodyfitness
32
Leticia Vecchi
Wellness
33
Luis Hurley
Junior Men's Physique
34
Maggie Turner
Fitness
35
Marta Mila
Bikini Fitness over 172 cm
36
Martin Dawes
Muscular MPH
37
Megan Healey
Bikini Fitness up to 160 cm
38
Mel Maguire
Wellness Bikini Fitness
39
Michal Konta
MPH +182 cm
40
Michal Uliwiak
Classic BB +180 cm
41
Mitra Pishyareh
Bikini Fitness -166 cm
42
Nathan Barnes
Bodybuilding up to 80 kg
43
Nick Swann
Masters over 55 yrs
44
Nicola Rungo
Men’s Physique up to 173 cm
45
Olga Upelniece
Bikini Fitness -172 cm and Masters Bikini
46
Rebeka Tunegova
Bikini Fitness -172 cm and Junior Bikini Fitness
47
Ricky Beckford
Master MPH
48
Robert Thurston
Master Men’s Physique over 45 yrs
49
Syed Rahat
Master Men’s Physique
50
Theo Ojideh
BB -100 kg
51
Toby Owen
Junior Men’s Physique
52
Waldemar Biernacki
Classic BB -178 cm
53
Walter Rajah
Master MPH over 45
54
Zoe Green
Junior Bikini Fitness
55
Ruth Pierronnet
Masters Bodyfitness