After a covid-enforced break of almost two years, the UKBFF returned with the North-East Championships at Pudsey Civic Theatre in West Yorkshire. The UKBFF is the only organisation affiliated to the IFBB in the UK so this year’s shortened contest list gives competitors opportunities to earn selection for prestigious international events, including the IFBB World Championships and the IFBB European Championships, as well as the Arnold Classic Europe.

Remember, the IFBB dates back to 1946 and has federations in virtually every country as well as links to national governments and international Olympic committees. People at the venue didn’t have to look far for inspiration: men's physique star Abies Nosa, who received a cheque for $5,000 from Arnold Schwarzenegger for winning the 2019 IFBB Elite Pro Arnold Classic Europe was in attendance to support his brother Etin and they were among those celebrating by the end of the day.

BODYBUILDING

There were some quality winners throughout the hardcore categories. Iman Esmail Zadeh, who took the over-90kg division, packed a ton of size on his frame. With monstrous arms, deep pecs and round shoulders, this guy has potential, particularly if he can bring up his rear poses to match his front ones. Up to 90kg winner Kamil Surdej had a spectacular shoulder-to-waist ratio and a really pleasing, healthy shape. Runner-up Tomasz Zielinski's well choreographed old school posing went down well with the fans. Up to 80kg champion John Cribbin looked solid, lean and complete, with good legs supporting a highly detailed physique. He had clearly stuck to his diet and timed his peak to perfection. Marian Porazk looked like he was having the time of his life as he bounced around on stage in masters bodybuilding. His day got even better when he was announced as the winner. Runner-up Farhad Kord had an impressive back. In the intermediates, Stephen Milton’s superior conditioning earned victory over Adam Smith, who had good upper body size. Ahmed Al-Alwani took classic bodybuilding with a physique that really popped when he posed. His shape was good and his back and pecs caught the eye.

BIKINI FITNESS

Eight women battled it out in the up to 164cm category, which yielded an excellent top three. Third placed Deborah Thornley sported a unique look, with a tiny but well trained look and solid glutes. Runner-up Ernestina Portnaja, a former British Championships runner-up, finished second seven months after giving birth to her second child. Ernestina has wonderful proportions and no matter how big the line-up, the kind of stage presence that can't be ignored. She works it. But on the day first place went to Martyna Derlat, whose outstanding glutes helped her excel in the rear poses. A new talent emerged in the tall shape of Rebecca Savage, a former national level swimmer whose wide back bore testimony to her time in the pool. Rebecca doubled up by first taking the beginners class followed by the open up to 169cm category. Tall, with excellent shape and conditioning, she also had a dazzling smile and a confident stage presence that belied her novice status. Another tall, impressive newcomer was Elissa Moon, who won a competitive junior division. There’s nothing extreme about IFBB bikini fitness so Elissa doesn’t need to go crazy but with just a little more size she will be a formidable competitor. She rounded off a fabulous day with second in the open tall class. The masters brought two contrasting body types together. Jodie Dunseath was more muscular and had some standout body parts but Anne Bulmer was better balanced and very polished and professional, with everything from her tan to her suit on point.

MEN’S PHYSIQUE

Etin Nosa made a statement in his first appearance on stage for four years. Etin is one half of perhaps the most famous physique brothers in the UK and having watched brother Abies conquer all in the IFBB Elite Pro ranks in recent years, he knows exactly what it takes to succeed and wasn't messing around at this event. He absolutely smashed it in the over-179cm class, with his chest the most eye-catching part of a solid and shapely torso. Marius Boroghina's shape swept him to victory in the 179 cm class, ahead of the remarkable Graham Dawes. It's almost impossible to believe Graham – who won the masters class – is 56. Is there a man of his age in better shape in the country? He has such a tight waist for an older guy and always comes in shredded. Classic physique was a close encounter between high quality athletes Alvydas Petrauskas and Krystian Cmiel. Alvydas had a little more fullness in his chest and a really impressive midsection.

WELLNESS AND BODYFITNESS

Wellness bikini fitness didn't have the usual high number of athletes but the standard was superb. Runner-up Carly Hughes was beautiful, polished and poised. She has lovely proportions and a very professional look but the winner, Angelika Prejna, is something special. She looks good from any angle but when she turns around she has those killer legs and glutes that excel in wellness. It was lovely to see her young daughter rush on stage to embrace her when she won. Claire Acrlidge, a tall woman with good conditioning, took the open and masters categories unopposed.

BEGINNERS CLASSES

Stephen Milton, a tall, young bodybuilder, received a great reception for a well displayed and nicely-developed physique. Tall, with a good structure. Alvydas Petrauskas showed tight hamstrings and a pleasing shape in winning the classic physique class. Rebecca Savage started her day in style by winning bikini fitness ahead of the petite and attractive Natalia Hulkevych. In junior bikini fitness, Chloe Crawford showed a well-trained shape but needs to work on her confidence because she totally deserved to be on that stage. Geoffrey Henworthy looked like a buff Harry Kane in taking the men’s physique class. He had a tight torso and was well groomed.

By John Plummer

Visit www.ukbffphotos.com where you can buy all your images as a package, email ukbffphotos@gmail.com for details

RESULTS

Beginners Men’s Bodybuilding

1. Stephen Milton

Beginners Classic Physique

1. Alvydas Petrauskas

Beginners Junior Bikini Fitness

1. Chloe Crawford

Beginners Bikini Fitness

1. Rebecca Savage

2. Natalia Hulkevych

Beginners Men’s Physique

1. Geoffrey Henworthy

Intermediate Bodybuilding

1. Stephen Milton

2. Adam Smith

Classic Bodybuilding

1. Ahmed Al-Alwani

Masters Bodybuilding

1. Marian Porazka

2. Farhad Kord

Classic Physique

1. Alvydas Petrauskas

2. Krystian Cmiel

Bodybuilding up to 80kg

1. John Cribbin

2. Marian Porazka

3. Farhad Kord

Bodybuilding up to 90kg

1. Kamil Surdej

Bodybuilding over 90kg

1. Iman Esmail Zadeh

2. Tomasz Zielinski

Wellness Bikini Fitness

1. Angelika Prejna

2. Carly Hughes

Junior Bikini Fitness up to 23 years

1. Elissa Moon

2. Natalia Hulkevych

3. Chloe Crawford

Masters Bikini Fitness over 35 years

1. Anne Bulmer

2. Jodie Dunseath

Masters Bodyfitness

1. Claire Acrlidge

Men’s Physique under 179cm

1. Marius Boroghina

2. Graham Dawes

3. Mohammad Alizadeh

Men’s Physique over 179cm

1. Etin Nosa

2. Geoffrey Henworthy

Bodyfitness

1. Claire Carlidge
   

Bikini Fitness up to 164cm

1. Martyna Derlat

2. Ernestina Portnaja

3. Deborah Thornley

   Also competed: Natalia Hulkevych, Chloe Crawford, Karolina Wajs, Elise Harrison and Zuzana Tvrda

Bikini Fitness over 169cm

1. Rebecca Savage

2. Elissa Moon

3. Jodie Dunseath

   Also competed: Elisabeth Trinh

Masters Men’s Physique over 50

1. Graham Dawes
   

Muscular Men’s Physique

1. Shriaz Miraz