EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2007 (Germany)
World Champioship
Once again, WABBA World surpassed expectations at the European Championship and International Cup that took place last June 16/17 in Alzey, Germany. It is clear that the federation is making progress when you look at the quality of the organizations and the number of new participating nations. This year saw the entry of Kazakstan, Iran and Morocco, countries that have never previously competed on the WABBA world stage.
This year once more, the standard of athlete was very high. It would seem as though WABBA has the pulling power to attract some very high level athletes from across the world. For many in the industry, attaining a WABBA championship is becoming a mark of distinction.
1st place in the Junior category went to the French, Grégory Bogaert seizing 1st with an impressive muscle structure, perfect symmetry and impressive muscular mass and definition. 2nd place went to the Italian Daniele Esposito, followed by Gudeikis Evaldas who took 3rd place for Lithuania. A surprise performance came from the Belgian Draps Michael. In his very first performance on the world stage he managed to secure a respectable 8th place ahead of Portugal and Germany.
The Small category was dominated by the Spanish Vidal Luis Antonio. With great muscular mass and definition as well as perfect symmetry, Vidal had simply covered all angles. However, there was fierce competition with the Mexican Campos Belmont Eligio. At 1 meter 60 tall with dense and defined muscular mass, he finished at the 2nd place just 3 points behind the Spaniard. Hungary made a strong impact with 2 athletes: Major Zsolt and Kozaroczy Tibor Imre taking 5th and 7th respectably. Finally, the English Johnston Gerard Vincent placed 8th , ahead of Greece and Portugal.
Arguably the most popular category, the Medium class saw an impressive number of high level athletes. Duchenne Arnaud Michel of France becomes the new European Champion by winning the overall category. With this title comes the opportunity to become a WABBA Professional. This athlete has made great progress over the past few years and has made a good impression on everyone. It is predicted that Duchenne will become a serious opponent in the Professional category. If there could be one criticism made, it would be of his muscular definition, which needs to be improved upon for any future career in the professional category. For the 2nd time, Belgian Vermeerbergem Ilya placed 2nd with only 3 points from Victory. Switzerland that was represented by 2 athletes: Steiger Frederic placed at 10th and his fellow competitor Vasquez Igor at the 13th. WABBA would like to congratulate them for their preparation.
In the Tall category, the Swiss Olloz Fernand with 1 meter 95 saw off all the other athletes to seize 1st place. This success is a tribute to the strength of the team that Christian Zuburchen, the WABBA Switzerland president brought with him to the competition.
The Masters + 50 class or the “granddads” as they are affectionately known, have shown us once again that there is no age limit for this sport. Congratulations to the English John Fengares that dominated this category thanks to a supremely well prepared physique. He was followed by the German Horling Heinrich, an athlete over 60 years old but still with impressive muscular mass.
Next came the Masters +40 category. This category saw more than 15 athletes from various different countries. The podium was a very close finish between the English Ian Lorenzo Buckley, the Greek Sarakinis Charalampos and the Russian Ivanenko Andrey. All three had truly impressive physiques. However, England finally reached 1st place, leaving the Greek, with exceptional symmetry just one point behind at 2nd place, closely followed by Russia in 3rd. All other athletes were truly at International level and the jury members had some difficulty in coming to a verdict. It is worth noting two major victories for the United Kingdom, both in the Master +50 and Master +40 categories. This is in no small part due to the excellent work of Mike Wilson, (WABBA UK president) and Scott Horton, (WABBA UK vice-president), whom for 2 years now have spent significant energy in developing WABBA UK. It appears to be a success.
Always a pleasure to behold, the Miss Shape Category displayed some great physiques. This year, the Finnish Levavaara Jenni took 1st place after 3 consecutives years of competition for the title. This time, she displayed all the qualities of a good Miss Shape : symmetry, routine and natural beauty. WABBA sincearly hope to see her at the next World Championship that will take place in Russia on November 2007. The Italian Ferrarini Claudia finished 2nd, just ahead of the Swiss Ducret Rousseaux Sandra (3rd place) and Russia at 4th position. Belgium was represented by two athletes, Lecomte Patricia (7th place) and Saidi Ladia (13th place), they placed respectably despite the fierce competition. At 8th position we find the French Rey Nelly, followed further by the Swiss Armbruster Ingrid at 16th place.
The Miss Fitness category came on stage and captivated the audience with their stunning physiques and acrobatic shows. This year, Russia staggered everyone with the show of Stukova Maria and her incredible body. She took 1st place, without little competition, frankly leaving her opponents in the distance. The stunning posing of the Hungarian Grof Brigitta is worth noting, which gave her the 3rd step of the podium. Her compatriot, Veresne Lengyel Aranka arrived only at 5th place, despite her great physique. In fact, this result is down to her show on stage and to her posing that she will have to improve for the next competition by respecting the judgments criteria of the WABBA World. As for the English Taylor Carol Lesley, she placed 11th, ahead of both Germany and Portugal.
Unfortunately, this year the Mens Fitness category was not as impressive as usual. Despite that fact, some athletes were striking from the rest of the group: the Lithuanian Krikala Linas with his perfect body and the Mexican Gutierrez Neil Jose with his routine. We should admit that it is not always easy to associate high level physique and routine. However, the two Belgian, Vanderheyden Filip and Brohee Jerome Jean Paul succeeded in doing so. They respectively won the 6th and 7th place.
Finally, I would like to highlight and congratulate the excellent organization of this Championship. WABBA World is the first federation to succeed in realizing a finale European Championship in 4 hours.
We invite you to browse through the pictures and results of this huge championship on the website www.wabbaworld.com. We hope to see you at the World Championship 2007 that will take place in Russia on November 10 and 11, in order to support your favorite athletes. If you want more information regarding this coming championship, do not hesitate to visit the WABBA World website: www.wabbaworld.com.
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