Rising Stars & Masters All Stars 2023
‘New physique stars were born at the first-ever BPA Rising Stars and Masters All Stars at Bilston Town Hall yesterday.’
By John Plummer
Photography by Thomas Mone
New physique stars were born at the first-ever BPA Rising Stars and Masters All Stars at Bilston Town Hall yesterday.
The Rising Stars portion of the competition was open to athletes who had never been on stage before while the masters contest was for women aged over 35 and men aged over 40.
It’s always exciting to see a first-timers contest. For some, it will be a one-off adventure; for others, it’s the start of a stage career that could lead to international honours and it’s exciting to be there at the birth.
It was also a new start for the BPA in England, following successful debut shows in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The BPA has shown what it’s all about — high quality events that give competitors a professional and welcoming platform on which to showcase their hard work. The stages are well lit and designed, the trophies look good on the sideboard and the prizes are excellent, thanks to a growing number of sponsors and an ethos of putting athletes first.
This winning formula will next be seen at the Midlands Championships on July 16, followed by the English Grand Prix on September 3, Rhino’s Classic on October 15 and the British Championships on October 29. Full details can be seen on the BPA website.
MALE CATEGORIES
Corey Goodchild, who won both classic bodybuilding and classic physique in the Rising Stars event, was the find of the day
Corey attended a recent BPA posing workshop at Simon Fan’s Ultimate Fitness gym in Birmingham and was very much a novice at posing. But he looked a different animal here, with confident, fluid transitions displaying a terrific physique. He started with a stunning rear shot that displayed a great X frame and outstanding condition, with glutes and hams in, and he maintained a high standard from all angles. There was so much detail. This guy certainly has what it takes to make an impact on the sport.
The over-50s bodybuilding in the Masters Allstars contest was the class of the day. These guys weren’t messing around — they were all stacked. A testament to old school training.
Chris Unitt’s surname still aptly describes his physique. Chris has a lot of mass and poured everything into his routine in a great display of hardcore muscle. Steve Johnson’s routine was more fluid and boy, did he have some muscle too. Both he and Daz Cooper had absolutely incredible lower bodies and it became a battle between these two beasts. Steve got the verdict in what was a hard fought but sporting category that was a credit to the sport. He then took the overall title to lay claim to the title best male physique of the day.
Andy Lawley showed good physiques don’t end at the age of 59 by winning the over-60s with a physique beyond the dreams of most men his age.
David Tuppen won Masters Allstars classic bodybuilding with an excellent classical routine and a nicely balanced shape. Runner-up ‘Baron’ Darren Stock had was in good nick but David’s proportions were better suited to the class. The well-conditioned Andy Batty was third in a competitive class.
David later doubled up by defeating Matt Henderson from Aberdeen in the Masters Allstars bodybuilding over-40 class. Matt was exceptionally lean but had perhaps sacrificed some muscle dieting down, as the size difference between the two men was inescapable on the eye.
MEN’S PHYSIQUE
The stand-out men’s physique competitor of the day was Rahat Ali Shah, who won the masters category in the Masters Allstars contest. Rahat has an unbelievably youthful and full upper body that is hard to ignore because of its shape. Runner-up Kurt Brogan is always a tough proposition to beat and he was in shape so this was an impressive win for Rahat.
It’s unusual for the guy with the best abs not to win men’s physique and that rule applied in the Rising Stars contest, as Paulo Emanuel Rocha Silva took the title, much to the delight of his young daughter cheering him on. Parminder Sall was second ahead of the tall and wide Laisvydas Zibalas.
Parminder had the consolation of winning this category in the Rising Stars contest for stage newbies, combining positive vibes and shapely muscle.
Junior men’s physique Rising Stars champion Sahib Singh Kainth, 22, dropped 20kg to discover he actually has a good muscular shape well suited to the stage, with a particularly eye catching rear biceps shot.
FEMALE CATEGORIES
The appropriately named Emma Good got things off to a flying start, displaying a tiny-waisted shape and attractive package to win the Rising Stars. Emma looked every bit stage-worthy and went home with multiple trophies after also taking the masters over-35 class in the Masters Allstars.
Anita Guy won the over-40s in the Masters Allstars with a very pleasing shape that with some refining could be a real threat.
Alison Da Silva’s athletic shape took home the winner’s trophy in bodyfitness.
Priscilla Pazini Mores displayed a superb lower body and overall look to take home wellness winner’s trophies in both events. It was hard to believe Priscilla, who remarkably is in her 40s, had never been on stage before as she looked anything but a novice. She rounded off the day by landing the overall female title — what a day.
Results
Masters Bikini
1 Emma Good
Junior Men’s Physique
1 Sahib Singh Kainth
Wellness
1 Priscilla Pazini Moraes
Masters Men’s Physique
1 Parminder Sall
Bikini Open
1 Emma Good
Classic Bodybuilding
1 Corey Goodchild
Classic Physique
1 Corey Goodchild
Men’s Physique Open
1 Paulo Emanuel Rocha Silva
2 Parminder Sall
3 Laisvydas Zibalas
also competed: Aaron Cosens
MASTERS
Bikini Fitness over-35
1 Emma Good
Bikini Fitness over-40
1 Anita Guy
Classic Bodybuilding
1 David Tuppen
2 Darren Stock
3 Andy Batty
Bodyfitness
1 Alison Da Silva
Bodybuilding Over-40s
1 David Tuppen
2 Matt Henderson
Bodybuilding Over-50s
1 Steve Johnson
2 Daz Cooper
3 Chris Unitt
also competed: Darren Stock
Wellness
1 Priscilla Pazini Mores
Bodybuilding Over-60s
1 Andy Lawley
Masters Men’s Physique
1 Rahat Ali Shah
2 Kurt Brogan
3 Parminder Sall
also competed: Henrique Da Silva
OVERALL WOMEN’S CHAMPION: Priscilla Pazini Moraes
OVERALL MEN’S CHAMPION: Steve Johnson