Pics and Report; NABBA/WFF Top of the South, Blenheim, 4 Sept 10

Overall Winners:
NABBA Figure - Paula Fearnley
WFF Figure - Sally Atkinson
NABBA Physique - Jacob Hoggart (jnr from Nelson)
WFF Athletic - Alvaro Yance 

Stefan's Wrap Up
It was a smaller than normal show for Mark but it was as usual well put together and ran on time. The show started on time at 12 and with only 23 competitors and running the one show format it was all wrapped up by 3.30pm. Despite the smaller competitor numbers there was a good size vocal crowd and  a fun atmosphere. The compere (whose name I missed) did a great job for his first show and I suspect we will see more of him.

There was 16 male competitors with the best contested classes  being the last two WFF men's classes. There was one Teenage competitor , Darius Vatani, from Fitness Canterbury trained by Shane Elsey doing his first show and one junior male, Jacob Hoggart out of Nelson trained by Dylan Stephens who was also in his first show. Jacob ultimately took out the overall Nabba men's title so should be pretty happy with his first showing.

With so many classes there was a few people (men and woman)who needed to wait for the overalls to get some competition. Alvaro Yance was back from competing in the Blenheim show last year and ultimately took out the overall Athletic title amongst some pretty good competition. Andrew Rhodes who is trained by Jamil Rehman from Christchurch Les Mills looked sharp in his win taking the WFF class 2 and with a touch  more conditioning may prove quite a threat at nationals.

Ultimately you can't control who turns up but it would have been nice to see some more physique competitors. Reuben Darryl was back to compete again with the other physique competitor being Daniel Martin. Reuben showed he still has some good size but needs to work on his condition to show it off.   

For the ladies Paula Fearnley took out the NABBA masters figure over 35 before winning the overall NABBA figure title. Paula had stiff competition from Anne Jameson and Kirsten Vaughan (also trained by Jamil) who looked to be in excellent condition in her first show. The WFF figure went to Sallie Atkinson after battling Lynette Chamber. There was one Glamour competitor, Sarah (missed last name) who seemed to enjoy her first show.

Having been woken early (thanks ChCh) and being a bit dozy I apologise if I have any of this slightly wrong.  A big ups to the ChCh competitors competing in their first show, I know the distraction of not knowing what was going on at home was the last thing they needed.

Overall I enjoyed the show and I have to admit to being a fan of the one show format. As an aside there were some big names present who seem to be planning to compete in the NABBA/WFF next May in ChCh, that will be a show well worth seeing, especially if you like a bit of mass ;).

Stefan Preddy
5 Sept 10