2004
EFBB SOUTHCOAST REVIEW
THE
BIG SHOW – David Gentle
Muscle
Mob Magazine, May 2004
Finally someone
has put the fun back into bodybuilding shows. PAUL SMITH promoter of the qualifier for the EFBB
British Championships brought entertainment back into the game. His Easter Sunday bodybuilding extravaganza packed them into
the best family show I have seen in a long while.
MARKUS RUHL may
have only taken 5th place in the Arnold Classic, but for his audience of over 1100 he was the tops, almost being
mobbed by keen fans. Mr. Bodybuilding KERRY KAYES, kept all under control helping make the show the success
it was. For variety all the James Bond main foe look-alikes were in the audience to frighten not only the kids, but me as
well. This included JAWS, (Gary Tiplady) ODD JOB and MINI ME, as did some
of the free face paint jobs. Paul not only lets kids come in free (thus encouraging parents to attend) but also provided Easter
eggs as prizes in kids competitions. Great value.
Guest stars Markus and
the amazing Mike King (who had not been on a stage for 3 years) gave posing slots. The place nearly erupted
in support of these two super acts. Markus was also easily approachable for his fans prior to the evening event. Also highly
praised was Sam The Man Cullingworth who did an amazing routine. Vinnie Graham who had lost
a leg in a motorbike accident and Simon Robertson who had also lost a leg in a car accident, neither serious
setbacks prevented these guys from developing amazing muscle size and shape. Thus the mix of muscle and unusual wrestling
characters eg. The UK PITBULLS kept everyone entertained.
Former female British heavyweight
bodybuilding champion Sarah Bridges now a qualified physique judge, and who better than a former top competitor
to judge others, slightly disappointed by the low turn out of female competitors, has plans for next year to encourage more
entrants. As Sarah remarks, plenty of women train and look good, its just how to entice them to compete that’s the
problem.
“Sugar”
kept tight control of the posing formalities and rules, and of course the first lady of bodybuilding Diane Bennett
added her expertise to make the day.
The standard of physiques
was excellent: just a few years ago most of these guys would have been top notch champions in their own right. To name just
one, intermediate TIM BURKLEY from the SOHO GYM, London, got the thumbs up from Kerry Kayes
who believes Tim has a great future in bodybuilding. Best poser of the day went to TOM BLACKMAN who trains
at the LA GYM down in deepest Bristol.
Truly it was a great
day for bodybuilding, we welcome the return of the big show.
