Scott Horton of Hercules Gym and www.herculesmuscle.co.uk in Colchester is well known for putting on a good bodybuilding show, and this show, the first Muscle Mayhem show, was now exception. I'd like to thank Scott and his wife Lindsay for inviting Hazel and I along to this event at the Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green in Surrey as their guests. Muscle Mayhem was put on under the UKBFF rules with the winner qualifying for the British Finals in autumn. The venue was a great choice, with adequate seating with a good view of the stage.
Scott, himself was the MC, and gave a patriotic introduction to the show, which had an impressive 40 odd competitors and seven guest posers. The crowd was also treated to an appearance by the legendary 6 time Mr O Dorian Yates who was there promoting his supplement brand.
The first guest spot was Pat Warner who posed an introduction to the event with the Female Warrior models. Pat Warner has a lot of muscle, but was in poor condition for stage.
The show began with three categories of Novices, tall, medium and short. The Novice Tall Class was won by Chris Stones who had very good condition, second was Gareth Downs and third Bash Vincent. The Novice Medium Class was a very high standard and must have been hard to judge; however Darren Crocker went on to triumph with a great shape. Second place Saf Majid also had great condition. Third place went to Vish Bhaska.
There was only one competitor in the Novice Short Class, Thomas Wandira. This award was presented by Chris Davis, who is great grandson of the first bodybuilding legend Eugene Sandow
The next guest poser was Micky King. Now I remember Mick from a few years ago, and this was his first time back on stage for a few years. It's good to see him back, and he still looks great. Looks like he's making a comeback.
Following Micky came the Juniors, Under 21s. Often when you watch bodybuilding shows there are two or three juniors, but this event had an impressive seven competitors. The winner was Tom Skowrow who was clearly the best physique on stage; he's a big lad with a nice shape, but Tom mate, sort out your posing, I'm not sure if it was nerves, but you nearly lost out to the others because of the silly posing you were doing! Both second, Luke Bartram, and third, Tufan Cifci also had great physiques.
First Timers Short class only had one competitor, Kevin Saunders. The First Timers Medium was won by Alan Purcell, second Steve Bygrave and third Ian Hillsden. David Fox was an impressive winner of the Tall First Timers with Dean Rogers second and Rob Whiting third.
Masters Over 40: First Steve Horsewell, second Shane Kelly and third Martin Whittaker. There was only one lady for each of the three ladies classes, so they all came on together. Ladies Trained Figure: Carol Taylor; Ladies Toned Figure Carly Thornton; and Ladies Fitness Irina Cotton. This was Carly's first show, so well done to her, she looked great. Irina is already a British Fitness champion, and Carol Taylor competes at international level.
Other guest posers were Dean McTiernan, 300lbs of rock hard muscle, Paul Ehren, current Mr Euro International and the no-introduction-necessary James Llewellin. James recently represented the UK at the Arnold Classic, and I don't know what you're doing James, but you just get noticeably better every few weeks! Phenomenal physique!
Finally came the Men's Open Class and what an impressive line-up. As I visit a few shows every year, I see some of the same faces (and physiques) up there on stage, and there were a few in this line up. MT member 'Phil' Barratt competed but unfortunately didn't place due to it being such a strong line up. Mr Cyprus Zak Pallikaros, I've seen before and he won the show. Zak is a big guy with almost perfect proportions, he was maybe slightly smooth, but this was overshadowed by his impressive shape and excellent stage presence. Zak will be a big name in bodybuilding. Second place Nigel Thompson was arguably shaper than Zak, so this must have been a close one to judge. Third place went to Darren Poole from Wales, who was also very impressive.
Muscle Mayhem was a great show, run professionally and enjoyably. Thanks to Scott and Lindsay for the event and I look forward to next year's...
Photos used with kind permission from www.herculespower.co.uk