The domestic season drew to a close with the IBFF / UKBFF Midlands Championships at Bilston Town Hall, near Wolverhampton. With so many competitions cancelled due to covid, it has been a dramatically shortened season due to the decision to put athletes’ health and wellbeing first.

Next season’s calendar is already scheduled to be much busier with about three times as many events, including the return of the British Championships. There are still plenty of international IFBB events this year for our leading UK competitors. Nick Swann, fresh from becoming a two-time Arnold Classic Europe champion last week, is a good example of this. Nick, who was a VIP guest at the Midlands show, is six weeks out from competing at the IFBB World Amateur Championships. Also in the audience were Simon Robinson, who guest posed at the 2003 Mr Olympia after losing a leg in a car accident, men’s physique IFBB Elite Pro Rasto Valent and Brandon Marjoram, the 2010 British lightweight bodybuilding champion.

MEN’S PHYSIQUE

This sport has the habit of throwing up the most remarkable stories of triumph over adversity and Peet Rothwell provided a great example of this. In 2019, six days after competing at the UKBFF South Coast Championships, Peet Rothwell was struck down by a brain disease that almost killed him. He suffered four heart attacks, permanent brain damage and even died briefly. Now he’s won the Midlands Championships for the second time in his life. A champion in every sense.

Up to 173 cm winner Matthew Bicar really looked the part. Terrific upper body, which had shape and conditioning. He could tone down the transitions in his posing but there is no doubting the quality of his physique. The up to 179cm class was a close affair between Ricardo Blake, who with his tiny waist looked the best from the front, and Marius Boroghina, who was a little more complete overall and took first place. Like a fine wine, the aptly named Shiraz Mirza keeps getting better, notching up another victory in muscular men’s physique. This guy always turns up ripped.

BODYBUILDING

The fantastic, five-man over-90kg line-up boiled down to a battle between over-40s champion Brendan Hickey, Adam Taylor and Kirils Dimitrius. Brendan had the conditioning and the legs but Adam had more mass and it was well sculpted too. His upper body packed some serious size. He was a worthy winner and definitely one to watch. Brendan had a good day, winning the over-40s in addition to finishing second against the younger guys. Lightweight winner Anthony Dacres was a confident, classy performer, who with a little more conditioning will be hard to beat at this weight. Rus Ali is always a formidable competitor. His wide upper body, tiny waist and good quads create an imposing front on stance that immediately sets the tone but he faced some serious opposition here in the ripped shape of Alix Staneff. Alix clearly came here to win. His legs were bursting with detail. He could have been a touch darker and in the end he had to settle for second. Claudius Parkes, who took the intermediates, had one of the most aesthetic physiques of the day. He could have been drier, but his lines flowed beautifully and he showed a lot of potential. Superb midsection. Over-50s winner Dariusz Zuk had impressive size, with striking quads. Local man Ravi Chandla displayed an excellent shape to win the beginners. This guy has a well developed physique that loos well equipped

FEMALE CLASSES

Both women in wellness brought the wow factor. Ankita Sabharwal and Eleni Constantinou were exceptional and have bright futures. Eleni has a genetic super structure but might have been a little too muscular for the class. Ankita, competing in only her second event, was a tad leaner, and got the nod. It was a top class battle. Sezja Killoran, who won the up to 164 cm open class and the masters, shone from all angles but especially from the rear, when her good back, calves and glutes were on display. A really well balanced and polished competitor who had clearly done her homework. Sophie Dawson took the up to 169 cm class in a tight contest with Zuzana Turda. Sophie had a slightly better overall shape.

The tall line-up was another evenly matched affair between Erika Hollis, who was slightly more complete, and Emily Townsend. Both women presented terrific bikini bodies. After several years as a bikini fitness competitor, Hayley Fenning has made a successful transition to bodyfitness. Hayley has always had a lovely shape and with her extra shoulder width and size it’s now even better. Her tan was spot on too. Runner-up Aneta Osuch will be a different proposition if she can get leaner. Aneta clearly has muscle and shape and a confident stage presence.

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 Bodybuilding

1. Ravi Chandla

Wellness Bikini Fitness

1. Ankita Sabharal

2. Eleni Constantinou

Masters Bodybuilding over 40

1. Brendan Hickey

Masters Bodybuilding over 50

1. Dariusz Zuk

2. Peter Banks

Intermediate Bodybuilding

1. Claudius Parkes

Masters Bikini Fitness

1. Sezja Killoran

2. Zdenka Brooker

Masters Bodyfitness

1. Hayley Fenning

2. Aneta Osuch

Classic Bodybuilding

1. Rus Ali

2. Alix Staneff

3. Martin Wyora

Bodyfitness

1. Hayley Fenning

2. Aneta Osuch

Bodybuilding up to 70kg

1. Anthony Dacres

Bodybuilding over 90kg

1. Adam Taylor

2. Brendan Hickey

3. Kirils Dimitrius

   Also competed: Ahmed Saad Al-Alwani and Szymon Skorski

Classic Physique

1. Martin Wydra

2. Ahmed Saad Al-Alwani

Bikini Fitness up to 164cm

1. Sezja Killoran

Bikini Fitness up to 169cm

1. Sophie Dawson

2. Zuzana Turda

Bikini Fitness over 169cm

1. Erika Hollis

2. Emily Townsend

Muscular Men’s Physique

1. Shiraz Mirza

Men’s Physique up to 173cm

1. Matthew Bicar

Men’s Physique up to 179cm

1. Marius Boroghina

2. Ricardo Blake

3. Aaron Priest

Men’s Physique over 179cm

1. Peet Rothwell

2. Ravi Rawji

3. Manda Cosmin Ionut