Mid-Month Update

Big H

Post Charlotte Harold “Big H” Marillier is back up ay 305 lbs  looking full, hard and vascular.   Expect big improvements in 2006.

The 57th NABBA Universe Contest was held in Southport on 8th October. I have always thought that the Southport venue was one of the best for physique contests. Viewing the stage is good; there is a large side hall for stalls and food and just relaxing; there is plenty of local accommodation; lots of local restaurants; and lots of parking space.  I was not able to go this year but it seems that it was one of the best ever contests with 160 competitors and having seen the pictures, it is clear that the standard was very high. Competitors came from around the globe but none were from North America.   Brazil again had a very strong contingent of

male and female bodybuilders taking 1st,2nd and 3rd in the Masters, 1st and 2nd in Class IV and 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Miss Figure II.   Charles Mario, the winner of Class IV also took the overall Amateur Mr. Universe.  Andrea Carvallio, the winner of the Miss Figure II took the Overall Miss Figure.

Several British competitors struggled to make their marks.   Paul Sutton had sacrificed some size for condition and placed 4th in Class IV.    A bulky Jason Corrick was 6th. It seems that his massive tank-like physique is now falling out of favour.

In Class II, Khalid Almohsinawi from Holland took first spot overcoming a challenge from Phil Carlon and Roy Pattison.  It must have been a struggle to separate these three.   The winner has pecs 6 in thick, glorious Vee shape, ripped up quads and spot on condition. Phil Carlon was even more ripped but perhaps less aesthetically pleasing and Roy Pattison was built like a fortress, covered in awesome dense muscle mass.

The overall standard of Class II was lower, perhaps, than some others but there was no denying the quality of Russian Jan Salaks with an impressive overall package and terrific legs - detailed, complete top to toe development and separation.

Class I was a win for Hedwig Parden from Holland - lots of muscle and good condition. Ian Simpson was shredded in 5th place but he needs more mass to move up the ranks.  Russell Freaky looked good as well but also he needs more mass.

Marvin Nagelbloem was a convincing winner of the Juniors and he was followed by an impressive trio of South Africans - all destined for great things if they stick with bodybuilding.

John Citrone competed yet again and came 2nd in the Masters O50.   John is a long way over 50 years of age.  He has won contests at national and international levels at all stages from his days as a Junior right up to his wins as an over 50 Masters.   It is good to see someone who can demonstrate the health and fitness aspects of a bodybuilding lifestyle even when competing at the highest levels and all that that entails.  John was lighter than in previous years but got his condition right. Long may he carry on.   Earl Maduro from Holland was 4th in this class. I think they should ask for his birth certificate - he looks 20 years younger.

In the Professionals it was another Universe win for Sergei Ogorodnikov.     He has grabbed quite a bit of extra muscle since his first Amateur win in 2001 and beat out Gary Lister.    Gary looked slightly lighter than in previous years but still big and ripped; perhaps he could have gained by being slightly fuller.  In 3rd place was Pete “Elvis” Brown.  He looked harder than on many occasions in the past but still he could afford to lose a bit more of his size to come in shredded.   The 4th place went to Boris Klein from Germany.  A great looking physique with terrific condition.  Another shredded physique was Sergei Dukhota from Ukraine in 5th place.    I have never heard of him before but he has lots of potential. Dayo Audi in 6th had the size but was just not sharp enough to get any higher.   All in all, though, a terrific line-up.

NABBA on the Rise

NABBA is now on the up and up and this is likely to carry on with so much help being given to them by the EFBB [or UKBFF as it is now called]. Often the EFBB has had a reputation for arrogance, treating bodybuilders like a nuisance that has to be endured rather than the heart and soul of the sport.   But things are now coming to a head and if British bodybuilding is to survive, then the influence of the EFBB has to be downgraded.

I have been to a lot of bodybuilding contests over the last 30 years and all too often I have seen the EFBB behaving in a manner that should be quite unacceptable.

The latest rigorous imposition of the “enter only our contests or else ...........” rule is arrogant, insulting and ludicrous. The EFBB gets away with so much by hanging out the carrot of a top bodybuilder getting a Pro Card and being able to compete against the best in the world.   The reality is that few bodybuilders will attain such a standard [or want to] and with the current paucity of Pro contests outside the USA they will be lucky to get any benefit from such a card - which they have to buy annually anyway.   Many men try but it seems more and more that the IFBB Pro Circuit is becoming a show case for American Bodybuilders only.   

Without the Pro circuit carrot no one need endure the arrogance, bad judging [at times], arbitrary rule changes, dictatorial attitudes and down-right bad treatment handed out by a priviledged clique who elect themselves in semi-secret year after year.   Bodybuilding is not exactly thriving; it needs the organisations of EFBB, NABBA, WABBA etc. to do everything possible to support, encourage and nurture bodybuilders.  Without them, there is nothing.  Bodybuilding is something we do because we love it.  For 99% of us there will be no money in the sport. It takes hard work for years, lots of spending on food and supplements, restricted social life and sometimes the break-up of marriages.   These guys need every bit of encouragement they can get not this arrogant bullshit.

The IFBB in the USA is having its problems since the take-over by American Media and many are looking at the possibility of a new Pro organisation.  If such comes to pass then the influence of the IFBB will be much reduced and their dictatorial attitudes will become less and less acepted.

In the UK, it is up to bodybuilders and show organisers to boycott the EFBB until they can come to see sense.