BCABBA Popeye's Fall Classic 2015 | Contest Report
BCABBA Popeye's Fall Classic 2015 - Contest Report
You know the saying "The more things change, the more they stay the same"? With a little twist of course because we're talking about keeping the level of excellence undisturbed despite a turbulent and changing landscape over the last year for the British Columbia Amateur Bodybuilding Association. 2015 saw promoter Tarik Rahiman bring us the inaugural Popeye's Fall Classic! Over 260 athletes took the stage at the Hard Rock Casino, and while it may be billed as an 'entry level' show, it's also a chance for those who need to either requalify for the next level or change disciplines, to prove themselves. Mix that up with some very hungry first timers and you've got yourself a marathon of a show! And oh yeah...5 time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath guest posed.
Bodybuilding
Starting with Juniors, the winner particularly stood out, Kellen Wilson's look was beyond his years, a strong contender going forward, nothing but time on his side to further improve. Proving that age is no factor, 61 year old Sher Wilson was the only entry in Women's Bodybuilding, but such an inspirational story dropping 118 pounds!
Masters Men saw a variety of physique types, Sean Reid's sheer size and separations stood out right away. Turning to the open classed, special mention of 2nd Place Lightweight Jai Lino whose posing artistry wowed the crowd, receiving the 'Best Male Poser Award'. A large class of Middleweights saw thickly muscled Karim Attara take top honors...then along comes the Light Heavyweight class, specifically George Plowman, nice overall shape and a top contender for overalls, which he did win. 2nd Placer Sukhi Pandher was the 'Mutant Award' winner as selected by the brand's representative IFBB Pro 'Big' Ron Partlow. Sukhi's sister Harpreet had a very successful year in Bikini, check the 2015 BC Provincials report on this website! Tyler Willson took the Heavyweight class.
Kellen Wilson - Junior Men's Bodybuilding - 1st.
Sher Wilson - Women's Open/Grandmaster Bodybuilding - 1st.
Dave Vella - Men's Grandmaster Bodybuilding - 1st.
Sean Reid - Men's Masters Bodybuilding - 1st.
Jai Lino - Men's Bodybuilding - Best Poser.
Abdullah Merzaie - Open Lightweight Bodybuilding - 1st.
Karim Attara - Open Middleweight Bodybuilding - 1st.
George Plowman - Open Light Heavyweight & Overall Bodybuilding - 1st.
Tyler Willson - Open Heavyweight Bodybuilding - 1st.
Sukhi Pandher - Mutant Award Winner.
Overall comparison round - Men's Bodybuilding.
Fitness
Just one competitor, Ali Hatcher with a sporty routine.
Ali Hatcher - Fitness - 1st.
Women's Physique
Grace and elegance exemplified this division, from the timeless artistry of Zeng Allardyce and Chanthou Chhim (used to compete in bodybuilding) to the confident newcomers who took over the open classes, gotta like the evolution of this genre so far!
Chanthou Chhim - Women's Physique
Zeng Allardyce - Women's Physique
Chanthou Chhim - Master Women's Physique - 1st.
Colby Whelpton - Open Women's Physique 'A' & Overall - 1st.
Amber Larsen - Open Women's Physique 'B' - 1st.
Figure
The Grandmaster Class had 6 entries, looked very competitive between the top 3, quite the height differences between them. Moving ahead to the open classes, the future looks bright for this division. Class 'A' eventual top 3 definitely varied in body type, Nicole Phalan brought mature muscle development and narrow hips to take 1st, while 2nd placer Kayla Corse's small waist helped accentuate that coveted 'V' taper. 3rd placer Haley Wickham has a great start in that department, terrific potential. Class 'B' saw a surprised Joy Nguyen (she shouldn't have been) win with a balanced look, well deserved. 'C' was a large class by figure standards, 10 competitors. Karoline Seida went from a bikini competitor at her previous show to eventual Overall Figure Champ here...4.5 years of hard work and dedication between the two though! Very little debate regarding 1st in her class. Class 'D' would require a little analysis. Martina Yabekova is a seasoned competitor having most recently placed 3rd at North Americans in Figure for her age class, 2 spots away from an IFBB Pro Card. Rules not being bent means in order to enter the Open category/stream, going back to square one. Don't get me wrong, she looked amazing and I can see the judges struggling with this type of situation, perhaps concluding that in the context of an entry level show, not the level of muscular development one would normally expect in Figure. She got 3rd here, and top 5 move up to the next level so I see Martina sooner rather than later getting back to that advanced competitive level in the open class. Continuing with this class, another great story of a bikini competitor taking a few years off the stage and molding a very aesthetic figure look, Sally Anderson combined poise, femininity, beautiful lines and muscle shapes to take top spot.
Grandmaster Figure - Tammy Wilson 1st, Sherry Bissonette 3rd and Richelle Marleau 2nd.
Tammy Wilson - Grandmaster Figure - 1st.
Maroussia Jones - Master Figure - 1st.
Open Figure 'A' - Nicole Phalan 1st, Kayla Corse 2nd and Haley Wickham 3rd.
Nicole Phalan - Open Figure 'A' - 1st.
Joy Nguyen - Open Figure 'B' - 1st.
Karoline Seida - Open Figure 'C' & Overall - 1st .
Martina Yabekova - Open Figure 'D' - 3rd.
Sally Anderson - Open Figure 'D' - 1st.
Open Figure Overall Comparison Round.
Men's Physique
The discipline is still evolving, the 'bigger' guys will soon get a bodybuilding type in between class called 'Classic Physique'. For now, life continues. Starting with Masters, chiseled abs and great conditioning defined Donan Forde giving him top spot. The open classes basically came down to conditioning, class winners noted here. Didn't really notice anyone marked down for being 'too big'.
Donan Forde - Master Men's Physique - 1st.
Mo Murad - Open Men's Physique 'A' - 1st.
Lucas Adriaco - Open Men's Physique 'B' & Overall - 1st.
Serge Baidak - Open Men's Physique 'C' - 1st.
Artus Sukru - Open Men's Physique 'D' - 1st.
Bikini
Starting with Grandmasters, ever smiling Tammy Rosiek won the class, she's been a staple as a long time competitor and supporter of the sport with her line of 'Fit Stars Iso-Bars' food products at all the shows. Masters had 20 entries in all, the top 3 all fared well in their respective open classes too. Speaking of which, Open Class 'A' top 3 looked very close. In 4th was Sarah Lee, a switchover from figure having had some success there...give her a little more time to adjust her look accordingly and she'll do well here too. 'B' Class was really trying to look for a balance, Tessa Moffat had size, shape and just enough definition, fit the criteria to the tee, taking 1st. A bit leaner look on 2nd placer Kathleen Wilson, and 3rd placer Zoe Walter epitomized the bikini structure, balanced shape throughout. Still in her teens, wait till she gets more training and experience under her belt! In 4th was Amber Kosiancic in the best shape and conditioning of her life! Lean, yet shapely. Class 'C' also had this dilemma, shapely Selina Hawes took 1st, while the leaner look of Vanessa Poretsis took 3rd. Standing out also was 4th Placer Yasmin Imani with her flaming red hair color, a 'fiery' personality onstage...the confidence showed. Class 'D' included Megan Swaisland, polished poser and class winner in 2014...took 4th here possibly in part to not being tanned enough onstage, the strong lighting can be brutal. She did correct that for finals. Still qualified for Provincials so mission accomplished, expect a comeback! 1st Place went to Nicole Korek, super tiny waist with a nice tapered look. Lean looks dominated the top placings in Class 'E', Sydney Langston taking 1st, followed by Leah Foley and Elizabeth Smith. Class 'F' featured our eventual overall winner. In only her first show, Custom Built Training client Annette Mountford showed the poise and stage savvy of a seasoned veteran, aware of her best angles vis-a-vis the judges and fluidly moving in and out of poses. Expect her to go far in the sport, a Pro card very likely. Last but not least was Class 'F', sharp looking Maya Bhogal took 1st.
Tammy Rosiek - Grandmaster Bikini - 1st.
Master Bikini - Tracy Seguin 1st, Angela Evans 3rd and Kerry McLaughlin 2nd.
Tracy Seguin - Master Bikini - 1st.
Sarah Lee - Open Bikini 'A' - 4th.
Open Bikini 'A' - Megan Smith 1st, Jennifer Liu 3rd and Kayla Raimondo 2nd.
Megan Smith - Open Bikini 'A' - 1st.
Amber Kosiancic - Open Bikini 'B' - 4th.
Open Bikini 'B' - Kathleen Wilson 2nd, Tessa Moffat 1st and Zoe Walter 3rd.
Tessa Moffat - Open Bikini 'B' - 1st.
Open Bikini 'C' - Selina Hawes 1st, Melissa Corrigan 2nd and Yasmin Imani 4th.
Vanessa Poretsis - Open Bikini 'C' - 3rd.
Salina Hawes - Open Bikini 'C' - 1st.
Megan Swaisland - Open Bikini 'D' - 4th.
Nicole Korek - Open Bikini 'D' - 1st.
Open Bikini 'E'- Leah Foley 2nd and Elizabeth Smith 3rd.
Sydney Langston - Open Bikini 'E' - 1st.
Open Bikini 'F' - Aracy Do Marco 2nd, Annette Mountford 1st and Kim Grewal 3rd.
Annette Mountford - Open Bikini 'F' & Overall - 1st.
Maya Bhogal - Open Bikini 'G' - 1st.
Summation
Overall a well run show, and some great new infusion of talent going forward. Particularly with the top placings in the Women's Divisions, the combination of a fit look and beauty can't help but draw a sometimes skeptical public to better embrace the sport and make it more mainstream. More photos and results can be found at http://www.twixpix.com/contests/PC15/PC15-Intro.html