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BNBF: Scotland 2005
The
3rd BNBF Scottish Championships marked the beginning of the 2005 bodybuilding
season, with all the usual intrigue and anticipation that Edinburgh provides.
This year’s show would not only produce a new overall Scottish champion,
but also provide winners with a rite of passage to compete in the British Finals
later in the year. Faces come and go in bodybuilding and if the programme gave
a glimpse of what was to come, it provided an interesting snapshot of an emerging
mix of new names alongside some established old identities. The task of sorting
the order fell to this year’s judging panel comprising, WNBF Pros David
Hannah, Rob Hope, Cheryl Myers and Kerry Napier and
guest judges Mike Duffy and me, Dean
Garratt.
JUNIORS
This year’s Junior class comprised a five strong line-up of fresh-faced
lads, many of whom were stepping onto the posing dais for the first time.
An immediate impact was made by Frazer Brown who was by far
the hardest in the line-up. Even during prejudging it was clear to see that
Frazer, with his upper to lower body balance and overall condition,
was a clear favourite in this field. When the evening show arrived little
had changed in the young man’s physique, and a competent routine, with
smooth transitions, only enhanced initial impressions. In the end, fifth place
was awarded to Jonathon Mortimer who displayed some great
potential in his upper body complimented with style and composure in presentation.
His routine was nicely constructed and performed with poise and confidence,
belying his tender age and relative lack of experience. To improve, Jonathon
needs to bring up his legs and work on his condition, which was a little soft
in this company. Fourth spot was awarded to Lee Moore, who
had marginally better condition than Jonathon if not quite
the same poise in presenting his physique. Lee looked particularly awkward
during the compulsories and could relax more during his routine. By my estimation,
Lee needed another 4 weeks or so to get a little harder and could
use some advice with his presentation, in order to get the best out of his
physique. That said, it was a great debut and one which I’m sure he
won’t forget. Second and third spots were very close, with one guy possessing
a little more thickness to his physique and the other a little more condition.
In the end, third place was awarded to David Slack who sported
the biggest shoulders in the line-up. His chest and delt thickness was particularly
evident turned side-on, where David was most threatening
in this contest. However, his tendency to stand awkwardly during the compulsories
undoubtedly hurt his overall placing, which might have been higher had he
displayed himself with more confidence and self-belief. For the finals, David
needs to work on these points as well as developing his legs, which were some
considerable way behind his advanced upper body. Second place was claimed
by Nik Wolanski who displayed great shape with especially
promising quad development. Nik has an impressive double
biceps shot and neat shoulder to waist taper. These attributes were complemented
with some confident and composed moves during his routine (one of two best
in this class), where he really seemed to enjoy himself. In the end, however,
there could only be one winner and that was Frazer Brown.
From start to finish Frazer had what it took to win his debut
appearance with the BNBF. Great shape and fantastic condition was matched
with well executed posing. If anything, Frazer now needs to work on making
his routine more fluent, particularly the transitions between poses. Well
done to Frazer and best wishes for the finals, where the
top three places will battle it out again.
NOVICE
To say that the Novice class was a humdinger would be a gross under statement
and crude over-simplification. From the moment the guys came out it was clear
that this class more than any other would prove the biggest headache for the
judges on this day. Nine guys emerged from the curtain to form a long line
of finely honed mass and muscularity, and it was immediately clear to all
concerned that the title was a two-horse race between leading protagonists
Ryan Caddow and Alan Kemp. Ryan
was hardest in the line-up front to back, with sensational lower back and
gluteal and hamstring tie-ins. Alan was a smidgeon softer from the rear but
structurally speaking clearly Ryan’s superior; with
sweeping lats (splintered from the rear) leading down to a wasp-waist and
flaring back out again across well balanced and nicely separated quads. After
prejudging, I had both guys tied for first place, and without casting aspersions
elsewhere, the rest of the class were effectively fighting for 3rd spot, which
proved to be a closely fought battle between Andrew McCauley
and Andrew Lawrenson. The two Andrews fought
hammer and tongue through pre-judging along with Scot Marko,
who presented a somewhat ‘light’ but nevertheless ‘tight’
and chiselled physique. Another eye-catcher was Felix McAlinden
who didn’t place but still produced his best showing to date.
Felix epitomises the ethic of natural bodybuilding, showing that
hard work and dedication can produce considerable improvements in spite of
some genetic limitations. He had improved 50% from last year with better all-round
condition and tan. On this occasion Felix did not place, but if improvements
are anything to go by I am sure that one day he will!
As the evening show approached the anticipation was electric,
for the man who had faded least between pre-judging and the evening show would
surely take the Novice title. On this occasion Ryan Caddow
had slipped considerably from the afternoon, with the appearance of a watery
film running the entire length of his physique, distorting his two best assets:
quads and hamstrings. Despite regressing, Ryan performed
a solid routine to a “Rocky” anthem, with well executed moves
that would benefit only from improved transitions. In contrast, Alan
Kemp had maintained his condition, and with superior shape to begin
with was a solid bet for the title. Alan’s routine to Robbie Williams’
‘Let me entertain You’ was effective in showing off all his strong
points, including his razor-sharp lower back. Coming on strong was Andrew
Lawrence, with good vascularity in the quads and decent overall balance.
What Andrew needs now is to add more mass to his tall structure. Considering
this was Andrew’s first time on stage he acquitted himself very well,
with a confident display of free posing and great lat spread to boot. Scot
Marko did an admirable job of posing to music that wasn’t his
own, performing a well-improvised routine for the packed house. Scot
was tight and made the most of his favourable structure; he now needs to add
more size and thickness all over. The other Andrew … McCauley
displayed great hamstrings and calves but looked very ungainly during the
compulsories. Like many others on the day, Andrew really
needs to spend more time practising his posing. After all, presentation is
the key to displaying a physique at its best. Simple but true. Richard
Connelly, Charlie McKee and Greg Thompson rounded
out the class with some potential for the future, but on this occasion each
was much too soft alongside harder rivals. As the placings were called, debutant
Andrew Lawrence took a well-deserved 4th place, Andrew
McCauley claimed 3rd spot and Ryan Caddow an admirable
2nd place. That left only one winner: Alan Kemp, who taught
everyone a lesson in consistency between prejudging and the evening show.
MASTERS
The much awaited Masters class presented a five-strong field
of venerable talent, ranging from the sprightly mid-forty “somethings”
to the experienced and ripe old age of sixty-nine. As soon as the guys came
out it was clear that one George Kerr, a full-stone lighter
but 100% better, was right on the money for condition. George
was as dry as the proverbial bone, sporting an impressive taper and glutes
that resembled a cattle grid - if and when he chose to squeeze them and not
always at the same time! Tommy Campion looked the business
with marvellous skin-tone and tan. If anyone needed a lesson in how to prepare
for the stage then Tommy provides a few pointers. He looked
faultless to a point! Tommy has improved his condition too. From the rear,
Tommy was particularly impressive and splintered with cuts
across his middle to lower back. His broad shoulders and eye-catching upper
body put him right up there for top honours. Unfortunately for Tommy
though his legs are much weaker than his upper body, and lacking the same
kind of detail that is fast becoming the hallmark of his tremendous torso.
Tom O’Neill and Davy Jay were battling it
out all day. Tom O’ Neil is one big guy with enviable
thickness everywhere about his physique. Tom just needs to
add more quality to the abundance of muscle that he carries; 10 % more condition
and Tom would be tough to beat, it’s as simple as that!
Davy looked fantastic in some poses but less impressive in
others. However, his overall package was effective: great tan, good condition
and improved muscularity that made for some solid improvements between 2004
and 2005. William Burt was another behemoth with cows for
calves and hamstrings that side-on resembled those of Tom Platz! William
has some real potential but was just too soft to compete with the likes of
George ‘the razor’ Kerr.
Little had changed for the evening show as George
Kerr matched his disciplined compulsories with a confident and composed
routine. If anything, George needs more tan in the evening
where he appeared a little ‘reddish’ in tone. However, if there
was an award for most improved bodybuilder 2004-2005 then George
takes first prize at this show. His transformation was marvellous to see and
good enough to secure top spot. Tommy Campion always entertains
and this evening was no exception. His routine was brought off with style
and competence. Tommy was a solid 2nd. The mature mass of
Tom O’Neill was enough to edge out an improved Davy Jay
who claimed a solid 4th place, with both guys displaying their respective
strengths throughout their routines.
A separate award was made to the over 60s and this title
was battled out between the ubiquitous Ted Clifton and Irish
legend Eric Dowey. I’ve seen Ted look
a little harder but it’s no surprise that he usually improves as the
season progresses. That said, Ted gave an accomplished performance
as always and demonstrated with some grace and composure what can be achieved
in the over 60s category. Cue Eric Dowey! Eric
looked better than last year, no doubt due to some small changes made in the
run up to the show. Eric was tighter all round and gave a
polished performance to the theme from ‘Titanic’ by Celine Dion.
Well done to George Kerr and Eric Dowey
who, along will the other qualifiers, will do it all again in October!
MISS FIGURE
Only one competitor graced this category, but what the class lacked in volume
Ann Ackerman certainly made up for in elegance.
With great skin tone, fantastic tan and eye-catching costume, Ann was in good
condition, acquitting herself professionally and with some panache. Ann’s
posing was fluent, smooth and contained moves that were well-matched with
the music. For the finals, Ann needs to lose a few more pounds to address
the small amount of body fat deposited in her glutes and hamstrings. If she
manages this task then she will undoubtedly do well!
MISS PHYSIQUE
In this class there were two competitors, but really there was only one winner.
Hazel Kidd looked the business from the moment she appeared,
with a promising shape, eye-catching taper and degree of composure that is
only present in those who know they’re well prepared. Indeed, Hazel’s
preparation was exemplary: from her lean and detailed physique down to her
marvellous tan and flawless skin tone. Her posing routine was beautifully
choreographed and performed with some style and finesse - a point that is
even more remarkable given the fact this was her first show. Pauline
McLeod gave a solid display in the evening with well punctuated moves
that chimed in time with her music. In honesty though, Pauline
needs to lose over a stone in body fat in order to make any real impact. Stay
on the diet Pauline and by the time the finals come around
you’ll be in top shape, I’m sure!
LIGHTWEIGHT MR
The lightweight class was eagerly awaited for a number of different reasons.
One was the much anticipated return of Rick Gannon, fourth
place finisher at the 2003 British Finals. Another was the expected improvement
of 2004 Britain runner-up Andrew Burrill. Throw in the added
spice of the unknown newcomer and this year’s lightweight class was
expected to provide a recipe to thrill. It didn’t disappoint! As the
guys stood before us, there were at least three top physiques in the reckoning
for top honours: Burrill, Gannon and Andrew Williams.
It was noticeable that Andrew Burrill was fuller than in 2004 but ever so
slightly softer, in ways that seemed more pronounced from the rear than front
on. Andrew told me he was two kilograms heavier and I think
this was reflected in his overall appearance. Rick Gannon
on the other hand was rock hard front to back, but lacked Andrew’s aesthetics,
especially in terms of shoulder/back width. Nobody could fault Rick’s
legs, however, which were phenomenal – easily the best they’ve
ever been. Andrew Williams seemed to combine the best of Burrill
and Gannon with full muscle bellies, great proportions and
a fantastic taper. At the start of prejudging Andrew’s
condition was pretty good too and I felt he was in with a chance for 2nd spot.
The fact that this was a tight class was in many ways reflected
in the voluminous number of competitive callouts. I must say I had Andrew
Burrill in first place after round 1, with Rick Gannon
down in 4th spot. Andrew is a polished bodybuilder who knows
how to present his physique and how to execute his quarter turns, while still
appearing relaxed. In contrast, Rick Gannon looks ungainly
and awkward. The first pose - the front relaxed shot - is possibly Rick’s
worst. He appears hunched and very ‘trappy’ with his shoulders
up and lats disappearing to nothing. This, of course, does little to enhance
his weak back and overall lack of width to his structure. The same is true
from the rear, where although Andrew was considerably softer than
Rick, he was able to display his back width to full effect. Rick
was again hunched with elbows out, and this did nothing to enhance his remarkable
condition. I once remember reading something written by master poser Frank
Zane: practice, practice and more practice … holding the quarter turns
for up to 60 secs with everything tight, while appearing to remain completely
relaxed facially and breathing normally. There’s a lot in this advice
because while many are able to get into great shape some invariably spoil
themselves by not posing competently or in a way that simply doesn’t
do justice to their physique.
Andrew Williams had a phenomenal taper,
great full muscle bellies and one of the best backs on a lightweight that
I have seen. However, as prejudging continued strangely Andrew appeared to
fade, becoming softer, flatter and increasingly ‘watery’. At the
same time, Alex Leadbetter came on strong with his aesthetic
structure. The more he posed the better he looked. As the callouts continued,
Alex started to come back into the contest, gaining ground
on Andrew Williams. Rick Gannon took the side shots with
his dense muscularity and fantastic condition, though arguably missed out
from the front and rear. Compared with Rick, Andrew Burrill
was soft from the rear but competitive in the rear lat spread as well as from
the side and front. By the end of prejudging I had a three-way tie for second
place, with Andrew Burrill out in front and unassailable
on my scorecard. For me, Andrew had the best overall package: a broad structure
with eye-catching taper, good condition (though not the best), and an ability
to present himself effectively. Rick on the other hand had
fantastic condition but insurmountable structural weaknesses that held him
back, not to mention an obvious imbalance between upper and lower body.
In the evening, it was clear that Andrew Burrill
had faded 5%, appearing softer than at prejudging. Rick on
the other hand was just as crisp, which only widened the gap between him and
the rest of the field in terms of condition. Andrew Williams
was another casualty to the nemesis of water retention, and from looking like
favourite for 2nd found himself placed 4th at the end of the night! Many of
the evening’s routines were decidedly mediocre: Andrew Burrill
produced (what was for him) a lack-lustre performance to a voice-over Eminem
track, comprising a series of re-hashed compulsories. Rick Gannon
had at least tried to construct a routine, but again it came down to execution.
Muscle control is about practice that no level of instruction can prevail!
Alex Leadbetter was a class act all day. Well executed compulsories
were matched with an entertaining routine that comprised smooth transitions
and great poise. It all paid off for Alex who took 3rd on
the night.
With only two remaining I was surprised when Andrew
Burrill was called second. However, as one of six judges this is
what bodybuilding is all about: difference of opinion! Rick Gannon
took a deserved win because nobody could fault his effort to produce his top
shape. Rick now needs to reassess his presentation because
in an even tougher line-up (at the finals for example) this could seriously
hurt him. Seek some sound advice Rick and keep practising.
The top four have been invited to the Britain just to underscore the quality
in depth of this fantastic class.
GUEST SPOT
Cheryl Myers produced a creatively inspired routine, combining
humour, originality and great all-round presentation. For only six weeks’
worth of dieting, Cheryl looked the business at this guest
spot. She has a fantastic rear double biceps shot with more width, taper,
depth and detail than most men! Great arms and a tight midsection were complemented
with improved hamstrings and the type of presentation that only years of experience
can bring. Rejuvenated at 40 years young, Cheryl looks like
she’s on course for her all-time best in New York later this year and
will go down a bomb if she can tighten up further with another 6-8 weeks of
strenuous dieting. Well done that girl!
MIDDLEWEIGHT MR
This year only two athletes contested the middleweight class, but the dynamic
duo were arguably two of the most conditioned bodybuilders on stage this day.
2004 sensation Rob Carey came on alongside
experienced, man-in-waiting John Rafferty, with both going
toe to toe for the middleweight crown. Typically, Rob Carey
was as hard as nails and yet without contradiction was seemingly down on his
best at the end of 2004. We’re talking margins, but with Rob
there appears to be more in hand. John Rafferty, on the other
hand, was in his lifetime best condition, combining great aesthetics, full-bellied
muscles and impressive cuts and separation, especially to his quads and abdominals.
In reality, John had too much size for Rob
and too impressive a taper, making Rob appear slightly blocky in comparison.
John’s physical presence combined with superb posing
ability made him unassailable in this class. His front double biceps shot
and front lat-spread in particular were astonishingly good. John presented
himself with flair and finesse all day long, exemplified by his fluent routine
and graceful transitions. Even his tan was improved on 2004, which no doubt
added to his overall appearance. For the finals, John could
afford to lose another 3-4 pounds to really separate his (lower) back and
bring out the tie-ins between his hamstrings and glutes. If he achieves this,
make no mistake he could go all the way in the middleweight division.
HEAVYWEIGHT MR
On with the heavyweights - or should I say “roll” out the heavyweights?
Relatively speaking, three out-of shape guys came on stage to contest the
heavyweight class: Barrie Williams, Chris Grier and Ross
McDougall. To be fair Chris Grier has made some
obvious improvements in filling out his huge 6’ 5” frame. It can’t
be easy for a guy this big, but with the added mass came additional body fat.
To be blunt, Chris was about 8lbs off and yet was easily
the tightest in the class. Chris had the best separation
in his quads and was more professionally turned out than either of his rivals.
A great tan and competent routine rounded off a well-deserved 2nd place finish.
Mr “Potential” himself – Barrie
Williams – will continue to disappoint as long as he turns
up 10lbs out of shape. Barrie has incredible taper to his
physique and in this line-up easily possessed the most balanced package on
stage. Unfortunately however, Barrie’s great quads
were covered up with a surplus of body fat and his front double biceps shot,
which should be a killer, was at best only ‘good’- given his mediocre
condition. Barrie’s paleness further detracted from
what is potentially (in top shape) a BNBF championship winning physique. In
this company, Barrie’s genetics carried him through,
but he’ll have to pull his finger out for the finals! Rounding out the
class was big man Ross McDougall. Ross has
a very wide back and promising front lat spread. His front double biceps shot
also has potential, as do his enormous calves. In bodybuilding terms, however,
Ross was plain fat and needs to lose over a stone to make any impact. Come
on guys, get on the diet!
OVERALL
At the end of the evening, all the class winners returned to contest the overall
BNBF title, and there was one unavoidable certainty … this time it wouldn’t
be me! Junior winner Frazer Brown was eclipsed
in this company by the size and experience of more seasoned bodybuilders.
The main protagonists were novice Alan Kemp, lightweight
Rick Gannon, and Middleweight John Rafferty, with
Barrie Williams left contemplating what might have been!
As quarter turns were performed, John Rafferty
and Alan Kemp looked best from the front and rear, with
Rick Gannon possibly edging both from the side. What Alan
gained on John in taper (the best in the entire show!),
John reclaimed in quad sweep and separation, along with fantastically
separated abs. Following the quarter turns, I had John nudging
Alan for first. As the compulsories unravelled, however,
this gap opened up. Rick Gannon rallied in the side chest,
side triceps and abs and thighs shot, the latter of which he made his own.
However, front double biceps and front and rear lat spread were John
Rafferty’s, although Alan Kemp pushed him
on the front double biceps and really on lost due to slightly weaker legs.
The most muscular was close between Rick and John
and was really a matter of preference. Throughout the comparisons, John
Rafferty’s presentation and muscle control was impeccable and
in many ways it was fitting that he should receive the award for Best Presentation
along with the title of 2005 BNBF Scottish Overall Champion. As the announcements
were made, John was nearly in pieces, but this is a guy who’s been knocking
for a few years now and yet only finally beginning to realise his potential.
It was understandable that it meant so much to him. Well done John and all
the best for this year’s finals.
Report by
Dean Garratt
Report taken from www.bnbf.co.uk
