Scottish Grand Prix 2023
“We want everyone to compete with us regardless of who else you compete with. There won’t be any favouritism whatsoever.”
By John Plummer
Photography by Bill Cullen
To order your stage photos from this contest, email physiquephotos@gmail.com
A new era in UK bodybuilding got underway in Edinburgh today with the first ever British Physique Alliance competition.
The BPA was set up by a group of multi-titled former IFBB competitors, judges and promoters to provide high quality events for physique athletes in the UK.
The Scottish Grand Prix, promoted by former British champion Harry Ogg, took place at the Church Hill Theatre, a wonderfully atmospheric Victorian theatre.
Harry took the mic before the show to thank athletes for making the first event a success and said the BPA’s aim was to generate enough funds to send athletes abroad to compete. Harry also awarded £100 to class winners and pledged the organisation would take on board feedback to make shows better. He said:
“We want everyone to compete with us regardless of who else you compete with. There won’t be any favouritism whatsoever.”
Few people know bodybuilding better than Harry, and he channels his knowledge into getting all the elements of show day right, from the stage set-up and lighting to good backstage facilities.
A bagpiper got the show underway and ‘3D Scotsman’ Ross Kerr gave a superb display of quality muscle in a guest spot after the break and there was also a demonstration by two pole fitness.
The show culminated with Scottish bodybuilding legends Ian Lawrence, Steve Sinton and Mirren Sinton on stage presenting the Steve Sinton Universe Cup to the Star of the Future winner Dominika Burchardt. Steve said he wouldn’t have felt right not having Ian join him on stage because “at times he was my dad, my brother and my friend — he is my inspiration”.
The women’s and men’s overall titles and £500 cheques went to Ashleigh Sives Jackson and Craig Homer. Ashleigh’s coach Mike Hind MBE, who donated half of their winnings to charity, said:
“We’ve competed in federations all over the world and the standard here today was absolutely fantastic.
Here’s how the rest of the muscle action panned out.
BODYBUILDING
Craig Homer (pictured above) had the standout male physique of the day, and knew how to display it, which made him a dangerous opponent. He first won classic physique then had a go at the over-90kg weight category and took that too. Craig is certainly not lacking mass but he is the epitome of classic, all good proportions and well executed presentation. His legs and glutes were particularly impressive. His heavyweight battle with Chris Bayne, who also had plenty of quality muscle, was one of the highlights of the day.
Former men’s physique competitor Adam Nugent made a successful transition to bodybuilding, winning the intermediate / novice bodybuilding category and the up to 80kg weight class. Adam still had the men’s physique midsection and big chest but his legs were the real deal too and he showed good balance and lots of potential. Wayne Petley showed a good upper back and rear delts in the weight class and Atif Afzal in third had nice proportions that will look even better if he turns up tighter. Kevin Milne impressed in the novices, showing vascular quads in his front poses and peeled hamstrings from the rear.
Mark Law’s impressive physique was apparent from the moment he walked out in the masters over 40s. His short physique was bursting with well sculpted muscle and he held his poses nicely in a well received routine that also helped him to victory in the up to 90kg weight class.
Moving through the age categories, Keith Bathgate’s tall and lean physique took the over-50s before the over-60s featured two remarkable guys. At 67, Ian McDougall was competing for the first time in his life. He actually planned to compete in 1994 but says he “bottled it”. He well and truly laid that ghost to rest here but had the misfortune to come up against class winner Tom Devers, who still carries a lot of mass on his tall frame.
The judges had perhaps their hardest task of the day in men’s physique, which featured five guys with popping midsections. Runner-up Michael Smith had incredible deep abs and a wide chest but winner Ryan Gibson’s upper body flowed a bit better.
Dylan Cahill, in third, had the consolation of winning the junior category and definitely has makings of a top men’s physique look.
WOMEN’S CLASSES
Layla Allen will turn 50 this year and has been competing for 20 years — but it’s doubtful she has ever looked better. This prolific competitor has been hoovering up titles for fun in recent years and it’s easy to see why. Besides having some of the most insane pec development in the world, she has a classy physique, is always in shape and delivers polished routines.
Ashleigh Sives Jackson (pictured below) enhanced her reputation as one of Britain’s premier bikini fitness competitors by winning a competitive class and then going on to take the overall.
Runner-up Dominika Burchardt, cheered on by a large following, was a formidable opponent with superb glutes and great posing, which accentuated her wonderful lines and sharp conditioning.
At 23, junior bikini fitness champ Olivia Pierronnet is just starting out in the sport but she has already won a lot of trophies thanks to her attractive and balanced frame.
The lean and well trained shape of Sheree Hutchinson, who has great stage presence, won bodyfitness / figure. Superb legs.
Masters bodyfitness champ Pauline Priest showed a terrific athletic shape in an effervescent stage routine. Wellness bikini fitness champion Rebecca Flannigan displayed some wonderful muscular curves in her winning routine.
RESULTS
OVERALL MEN: Craig Homer
OVERALL WOMEN: Ashleigh Sives Jackson
Intermediate / Novice Bodybuilding
1 Adam Nugent
2 Kevin Milne
3 Shaun Nicol
4 Alan Campbell
Masters Bodybuilding over 40s
1 Mark Law
2 Kevin Milne
3 Scott Swiatek
Masters Bodybuilding over 50s
1 Keith Bathgate
Masters Bodybuilding over 60s
1 Tom Devers
2 Ian McDougall
Classic Physique
1 Craig Homer
Classic Bodybuilding
1 Shaun Nicoll
Women’s Physique
1 Lalya Allen
Bodybuilding up to 80kg
1 Adam Nugent
2 Wayne Petley
3 Atif Afzal
Bodybuilding up to 90kg
1 Mark Law
Bodybuilding over 90kg
1 Craig Homer
2 Chris Bayne
3 Tom Devers
Junior Men’s Physique
1 Dylan Cahill
Junior Bikini Fitness
1 Olivia Pierronnet
Masters Bodyfitness
1 Pauline Priest
Men’s Physique up to 177cm
1 Ryan Gibson
2 Michael Smith
3 Dylan Cahill
4 Ryan Sheerin
5 Dean Nicolson
Bikini Fitness
1 Ashleigh Sives Jackson
2 Dominika Burchardt
3 Olivia Pierronnet
4 Laura McColl
Bodyfitness / Figure
1 Sheree Hutchinson
Wellness Bikini Fitness
1 Rebecca Flannigan
2 Hannah Stanley