This was the second time the Sci-Mentor SportsPN event was held again run by Dayo Audi. The preparations were unfortunately marred, as World's Strongest Man, Mariusz Pudzianowski was due to make a guest appearance, but he had to cancel at the last minute. However, as it is primarily a bodybuilding show, it lived up to the expectations of any top class event.
Last year's report. Once again the show was ran and organised by IFBB Pro Dayo Audi, who made the show an enjoyable event. MuscleTalk was pleased to be the web partner.
MuscleTalk co-owner, James Collier, was one of the judges for the contest, and the standard of competitors was excellent, with a great crowd turnout. The venue was good – Ossett Town Hall near Wakefield in West Yorks, but unfortunately the speaker system let it down.
The host MC was former bodybuilder and actor, Mike Mitchell, who had recently suffered a near fatal heart attack, but he donned his kilt and presented the show well.
The First Timers had four competitors. Jonathan Barratt was just a young lad, and his 4th place couldn't really stand up to the older guys, who were all very high standard first timers. Jamie Fletcher (3rd) and Paul Walker (2nd) were close, but the clear winner, Martin Holroyd was shredded and looked like any seasoned competitor.
The Novice class had five entrants. 5th Gooch Arora was smooth and looked a good 4 weeks out, Gary Clarke (4th) and Chris Dyas (3rd) were close, Mark Stacey took an impressive 2nd, to winner MT member Michael Lawrenson, aka deadlift 645, who had a great shape and condition.
The Masters had five competitors. 61 year old Martin Yates-Brown was 4th; Martin is a big man and was in great shape – it was really close between him and Stephen Walker (2nd) and Neil Prescott (3rd) places. The winner Ian Simpson is a huge man, with great condition, most notably spectacular leg separation.
The Ladies Figure round was sponsored by www.MuscleTalk.co.uk and the trophies were presented by Hazel and James. All four girls were in excellent shape and just one point separated 2nd, 3rd and 4th places – clearly the judges disagreed! 4th place Rachael Ravencroft (who competed in this show last year) looked disappointed, and rightly so, as she was in brilliant shape and in any other show could have easily won – it's just who's there on the day. 3rd place Paula Ostle had great condition, but lacked shoulder width and confidence, 2nd place Melissa Appleton had a great routine only outdone by 1st place Rosanna Hart, who was in brilliant shape; she has considerable competitive experience and it showed – what a future she has in bodybuilding.
Seven quality competitors turned out for the Men's Open and this was a very difficult category to judge as it was an exceptionally high standard, little separated 1st and 5th places. 7th place Giles Thomas was good, but his lack of size, was not compensated adequately for by good condition. 6th place Carl Robinson was an interesting physique – he had good size, great shape and excellent separation, but hardness was lacking; Carl's a black guy but I think his skin would have benefited from something to make it 'glow' more and I think he was holding a little water, potentially a great physique though. I felt sorry for 5th place Rob Clapham, because he had a lot of call outs and was in great shape. Likewise 4th place Steve Alder was really trying and was a great poser – the passion he had was evident and he doesn't realise how close he was to a 1st place! Paul Mason (3rd) was the biggest guy on stage, and had clearly over-carbed, but as the long comparisons went on, he magically became tighter and more impressive, slightly better condition, could have meant him taking 1st. Roy McLean was a good 2nd and should have been pleased with this, considering the tough competition; another show on another day, Roy could have won. Shaun 'Granite' Watson was shredded, what he lacked on size was more than made up for in top class condition and his result showed this – he had clearly worked hard and deserved this trophy.
We look forward to the third instalment of the Sci-Mentor SportsPN Contest next year!