This is not a write up of the Finals; for that please see the
live report which we covered in depth. For the results, please see
here. This is a report aimed at providing an insight as to how much is put into preparing for a national level bodybuilding competition and the stresses that can arise at the last minute.
From Team MuscleTalk we had three guys competing in the UKBFF Finals 2009: Ricardo Correia in the Middleweights, Luke Nichols in the Heavyweights, and the Mighty Daz Ball in the Superheavyweights. All three, of course, had their goal set on winning their class, but Daz is a very high profile bodybuilder in the UK and was one of the favourites to win the overall and be awarded the highly sought after IFBB Pro Card.
Daz is the most motivated bodybuilder you will ever meet. "That's a strong claim, James!" I hear you say. Yes it is, and it's not a claim I make lightly. In the past year of working with Daz, I have witnessed the sheer dedication, enthusiasm, passion and sacrifice the big guy has put into his bodybuilding; it's something you really have to be around to fully appreciate. He was so set on winning the overall that nothing … and I repeat, nothing … was going to stand in his way. Others who have worked with top IFBB Pros will agree with what I say about Daz; he puts more into bodybuilding than anyone. Moreover, he has full support from his family, his fiancée, his parents, his siblings and even his two young children.
So, with the weeks running up to the show, there was simply one goal in mind for Daz: Winning. And for me, working so closely with him, I was (and still am) behind him 100%. I only first met Daz 12 months ago, although I had obviously heard a lot about him, and we started working together in December 2008, but we have spent a lot of time together and have become great friends, so much so I even focused my own goal on doing everything I possibly could to help him get ready to win the British Finals.
I picked him up from his house on Friday lunchtime, ready for the two-day event. Driving to Nottingham, all we spoke about was the event and the plan of action; we had everything sorted out and in place. We checked into the Crown Plaza in Nottingham and chilled out for a short while. We had a lot to prepare, as not only were the three guys competing, but we were running the live on line report and this was a huge task in itself.
Things were going smoothly and all as planned. At 5pm Ricardo, Luke, Daz and I walked to the Travelodge for their first coat of pre-contest tanning where a number of competitors were. Daz had his tan on time and all seemed to be going well. Then Daz got back to the hotel room and the tan just hadn't taken to his back; it was blotchy and practically non-existent in places. The tanning staff were happy to help, but Daz explained this had happened before due to some issues with his skin. This was the point when the stress levels rose and we first realised things weren't going to go as meticulously planned. We had to come up with an alternative strategy, and we had to come up with one quickly. Daz's friend Davey McGrath of Planet Bodybuild tried to help as he has experience, but to no avail; he simply said that the tan wasn't working. The only option was to use an instant tan, Dream Tan, frowned upon by the UKBFF, but acceptable as long as the tan is applied at the hotel before attending the venue. So, on Saturday morning we had to get hold of some.
Friday night's goal was to remove the failed tan. This meant a trip to the shops by MT assistant, Aarron Lambo (who did a fabulous job running around for the team all weekend). Lambo bought exfoliators, loofers and scrubbing soaps and the worst was removed.
Ricardo's and Luke's tan took fine, and they were happy. We got together and Daz had some filming for his forthcoming DVD Rectified followed by a few photos of the three guys by UKBFF photographer Eric Guy.
Around 11.00pm Daz's training partner, Helder arrived and the three of us discussed the plan of action for Daz's tan. Not fully relaxed, we went to bed.
We had no trouble getting some Dream Tan, and then Hazel and I had to set up for the live report with MT member reporter Incredible Bulk. Luke and Ricardo had their morning coats of tan applied. As there were so many competitors to get on stage the Saturday Pre-Judging took a long time and over-ran, so Daz was in the hotel room for most of the day with Helder and his family.
We were sitting behind the judges, and when the Superheavyweights came on stage, as always, there were huge cheers by the crowd. There were some big guys up there. Obviously Daz carries some serious muscle, and Zack Khan, who went onto win, and Alvin Small were in their best shape ever too. Daz has a stage presence which is very professional and he is a huge crowd pleaser; spectators love huge guys! His tan was thick, and Daz looked good. Competitors were not allowed to show their glutes and their trunks had to cover their bum cheeks, so Daz couldn't show his striations there. Zack too, had cheese-grater-like glutes.
Daz went back to the hotel and I went out for a quick Nandos with some friends; rushed as I had to attend the UKBFF Promoters' meeting. As the day had run later, even at 9.30pm most were still not ready for the meeting and were still eating, so I grabbed a drink while waiting. It was at this point people were gossiping about the Pre-Judging, and these were official people. What were they trying to say? There were complaints about Daz's tan being too thick amongst the judges; but they had no idea what we had been through regarding his tan. People were telling me that he had to use a lighter tan. We also hear rumours that night that Zack was getting first place, Alvin second and Daz third, and that Zack was going to win the overall against Shaun Joseph-Tavernier, and that this was a done-deal; which, as we now know, is exactly what happened.
I went back to Daz's room to find him in the shower scrubbing his tan off – Lambo had been shopping buying more scrubs. I spoke with Daz's parents and explained, then went to see him in the shower, and we had a heated disagreement about he situation. Yes, the first time Daz and I had a row was when he was standing stark-bollock naked in the bath!
Daz's Mum calmed him down and Helder, his parents, Daz and I made a plan to use Pro-Tan the next day, which meant back in the shower to get as much of the previous tans off as possible.
Daz was feeling very despondent at this time; the tanning issues had really had a negative impact. But, forever the professional, he said that he was going to get out there and pose his bollocks off, enjoy it and give the crowd something to shout about. He certainly has a huge following and there were 100s of Daz supporters in the theatre.
So, we bought some Pro-Tan, and Hazel and I went to the front to commence Day Two's live report. Meanwhile, back in room 207 of the Crown Plaza, Helder and Daz's Mum set to work in putting several coats of Pro-Tan onto Daz ready for the afternoon. For Pro-Tan to work well, you need to start your first coats a few days before, but, due to the tanning problems, we weren't afforded this luxury. Nevertheless, Helder and Mrs Ball did a great job and Daz did have a dark tan by the time he went on stage.
Unfortunately, Luke and Ricardo didn't make the top 6 of their classes. This was a disappointment, but Luke did look a little off in all fairness, and Ricardo competed in what was possibly the hardest category of the weekend.
Shaun Joseph-Tavernier came on in the Light-heavies and was incredibly impressive. Before the show we all knew how good he was, but seeing him even more improved was mind-blowing. Whoever did win the other categories was going to get more of a run for their money in the Overall from Shaun.
When the Supers came out the crowd went completely mad; people love the big guys! The top six were called out, and Daz was there, so now the important bit. Daz's tan was dark, but there was no sheen; hence it looked dull and ineffective – what a let down! This is because the Pro-Tan had been rushed on and had not taken into the skin so had we used sheen then it would have run, and no one likes a runny tan.
Daz was announced as third place and, as soon as it was announced I could see the sadness in my mates' eyes. All he wanted to do was to leave the stage, but a professional cannot; a professional has to stand there and accept their placing gracefully, and Daz did just that. He posed for the top three photographs, and while he was doing this I climbed the side stairs ready to meet him. I greeted him off of the stage and we went back stage. We were both extremely disappointed, and really, you could say we felt angry at that point too. Daz's family and some of his close friends came back too. All he wanted to do was leave.
In the meantime, Zack was posing hard against Shaun and the others going on to take the Overall. Well done to Zack. We've got a new British Pro who's been after that IFBB Card for years and he's finally got it by being in the best shape of his life. I have no doubt he'll do the UK proud in the international ranks and he will certainly have the support from MuscleTalk.
Back in the hotel room, Daz had some more filming for the DVD and I also went on camera giving my thoughts on the result. It was then time to clean up and go out for something to eat. Twenty two of Team Daz hit a lovely Chinese restaurant, who couldn't have known what had hit them with loads of bodybuilders coming in, as there were many other competitors there too! Also dining with us was Steve Graham from Northern Ireland who had come third in the Middleweights today. He is a good friend of Daz's and has some great knowledge.
We ate and chilled for a few hours and discussed things. This was the emotional time where we all said how much we loved each other, etc! We also expressed thoughts about two or three people we felt we were heavily let down by recently. Later still, we went back to the hotel bar for a drink and Hazel, Steve, Daz and I looked on the laptop at our report pictures from the show. After flicking over a few the first thing Daz said was "Ah, fair play. Zack does look good; he's in great condition and deserves it. Alv also looks great. Fair enough. I'm disappointed but they do look good!"
Daz and I have spoken, and we're due to have a meeting soon to discuss next year's plan of attack. I truly believe that Daz Ball has what it takes to be the best; after his family, I pride in admitting I'm his greatest supporter. I know certain people have accused me of being his bum-licker, and I don't really care; these people have no concept of friendship and do not know what it feels like to believe in something. My support for him is not just because I've invested time and money in him, it is because he's my mate and I have seen first hand what he puts into his quest to be the best. He's a true professional in everything he does and, like a boomerang, he'll be back!
Daz Ball Rectified - released December 2009