NORTH WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS

by John Plummer

Photography by Kevin Horton

Competitors can buy all their stage photos as a package here https://www.ukbff.co.uk/photography-orders

Alternatively, individual photos can be viewed and bought here https://www.ukbffphotos.com/2019/NORTH-WEST-CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Parr Hall in Warrington, which has hosted this competition for more than 30 years, has seen some great battles and this was no exception. The event attracted 71 entries, with places at October's British Championships in November the target, and there was quality throughout the classes. This was the third British Championships qualifier of the year. The next one takes place in St Albans in a fortnight's time as the season gets into full swing.

BODYBUILDING

There were some quality physiques in the over 90 kg class. Kyle Jones, in third, had a terrific shape packed with muscle. His chest in particular was huge, in fact it was arguably the best body part of the day. With a few more pounds off, he will be a tough proposition. Reza Hagipous, who posed confidently and had a well balanced physique, took the title ahead of Michael Ryder.

Danny Arnold's tight waist, crisp conditioning and aesthetic lines catapulted him to victory in the up to 80 kg class. Jason Degg claimed the up to 90 kg title.

Tomasov Milan brought his A game to win a strong junior bodybuilding line-up. Tomasov had good muscularity and a nice quad sweep and his condition really sealed the deal to help him defeat the impressive Daniel Morris.

Robert Hamerton, who won the intermediates, carried a lot of conditioned muscle. He combined deep cuts in his legs, a wide back and big arms. Masters champion Chris Goldthorpe displayed good width and a pleasing shape.

Classic bodybuilding was a pleasure to watch, thanks in no small measure to Jordan Messenger's wonderful elegant posing and smooth transitions. Naz Soltani, who followed, maintained the standard with another fine routine that included the box splits and Naz, who carried the most muscle, especially in the legs, took the title.

MEN'S PHYSIQUE

Junior men's physique produced an outstanding top three. David Baah in third possesses that extra roundness in his muscles that suggests he could go far. Runner-up Sam Warren was the most muscular competitor and brought great condition but on the day the judges opted for the balanced aesthetics of Liam Wilson.

Kev Rawson, who won the masters, brought some of the day's best conditioning, His abs were insane – terrific effort.

Classic physique winner Hai-Anh Nham posed well and executed the vacuum pose well.

Muscular men's physique winner Thomas Bobb's eye-catching taper got hime noticed as soon as he lined up.

There was little to separate the three guys in the up to 173 cm height class, in which Thomas Stevenson's aesthetics got the verdict.

The up to 179 cm height class was the best of the day, and some terrific physiques missed out on invites. It was difficult to pick a winner but Vasil Demirov's extra upper body fullness, along with his lean and well balanced shape, found favour with the judges.

Boroghina Florin's good shoulders and shredded midsection earned victory in the tall class, ahead of the aesthetic Felix Habarugira.

FEMALE CLASSES

Keep an eye out for Dominika Powojska, who brought breathtaking shape to the stage in bodyfitness. Dominika was one of the day's most talked about athletes. Runner-up Tina Holland, who had a ball on stage, had the consolation of winning the masters class.

Wellness was once again one of the most popular and keenly contested classes. Although the lower body is the emphasis for wellness, it still requires good conditioning and the winner, Lauren Wall, certainly brought that to the stage, along with a sizzling shape.

The up to 169 height class was the pick of the bikini fitness classes. What a top two: Bethan Harris brought one of the best bodies to the stage all day but had to settle for second best, edged out by Natalia Moczulajtys' equally sublime shape.

Martine Warmann had a day to remember: first she won masters bikini fitness, defeating two tough rivals who both brought well trained physiques to the shape. Then she took the open up to 164 cm class. Martine has a teeny waist, lovely flowing lines and good stage presence.

Rheanne Done's attractive, athletic body took junior bikini fitness.

RESULTS

Junior Bodybuilding

1 Tomasov Milan

2 Daniel Morris

3 Jack Arden

also competed: Andi Bolton

Junior Bikini Fitness

1 Rheanne Done

Junior Men's Physique

1 Liam Wilson

2 Sam Warren

3 David Baah

also competed: Edward Taylor-Brown

Wellness

1 Lauren Wall

2 Louise Aviles

3 Sara Polding

also competed: Jessenia Rossolato, Rebecca Wright and Angelika Prejna

Masters Bodybuilding over 40

1 Chris Goldthorpe

2 Jason Degg

3 Elton Martin

Masters Men's Physique

1 Kev Rawson

2 Felix Habarugira

Intermediate Bodybuilding

1 Robert Hamerton

2 William Hinton

3 Grant O'Hara

Masters Bikini Fitness over 35

1 Martine Warmann

2 Karina Fugiez

3 Victoria Manley

Masters Bodyfitness

1 Tina Holland

Classic Bodybuilding

1 Naz Soltani

2 Danny Curran

3 Jamie McGee

also competed: Jordan Messenger

Bodyfitness

1 Dominika Powojska

2 Tina Holland

Bodybuilding up to 80 kg

1 Danny Arnold

2 Kamil Dzierzanowski

Bodybuilding up to 90 kg

1 Jason Degg

Bodybuilding over 90 kg

1 Reza Hagipous

2 Michael Ryder

3 Kyle Jones

also competed: Michael Robinson and Chris Goldthorpe

Classic Physique

1 Hai-Anh Nham

Bikini Fitness up to 164 cm

1 Martine Warmann

2 Amy Mulhollad

3 Karina Fugiez

Bikini Fitness up to 169 cm

1 Natalia Moczulajtys

2 Bethan Harris

3 Rheanne Done

also competed: Hannah Edwards

Bikini Fitness over 169 cm

1 Barbara Krawczyk

2 Hannah Domney

Muscular Men's Physique

1 Thomas Bobb

2 Chris Tonchev

3 Jordan Williamson

Men's Physique up to 173 cm

1 Thomas Stevenson

2 Joshua Ajibola

3 Michael Puddicombe

Men's Physique up to 179 cm

1 Vasil Demirov

2 Adam Khengui

3 Harley Judge

4 Jonathan Kirk

also competed: Alan Thorogood, Craig Connah, Krzysztof Kaczmarowski, Oliver King and Clinton Makudubure

Men's Physique over 179 cm

1 Boroghina Florin

2 Felix Habarugira

3 Rawas Rahim

also competed: Nicholas Sherwood amd Tihomir Tonchev