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Article by John king (muscletricks.com) photos provided by Lee Archer (photo-flex.co.uk)
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Joe Walker
“Great show well supported and all credit to Dan Welburn for bringing it back to life. I enjoyed being a small part of it. This show could become a major event in the BB calendar in years to come!”
Kay Goodwin
” Awesome show and atmosphere created by Dan Welburn, pleasure to be part of the day and a proud moment to see my husband on stage achieving a close 2nd place result in the Novice class!!!”
Steve Johnson
“I have got to say there was something special around this show and the atmosphere was really great. I loved catching up with everyone (the bodybuilding family) Dan & Kev and their team created a very enjoyable show to be involved in. Safe to say bodybuilding is alive and well in Hull again. After so much bad press within some aspects of our sport to go to a show and come away buzzing and proud to be a bodybuilder certainly restores faith in our game. Roll on the next show!”
Stuart Garrington Mr Universe
“great venue , great atmosphere , one of the most enjoyable shows I’ve been to and I’m sure it’s just going to get better each year … Well done lads”
Sean Cogley
” It was great to see competitive bodybuilding return to the city after an incredibly long 19 year absence. The last time was 1996 and even though we had a NABBA judge and made it a qualifier for the NABBA North East, it definitely felt like the sport was on a decline in the city. I guess the evidence was in the fact that there hasn’t been another show for so long.
Kev and Dan’s Mrs and Miss Hull and East Coast Bodybuilding and Fitness Show brought bodybuilding exploding back to Hull. The venue at Asylum, Hull University was crammed, I’m not sure of the numbers but the turnout was massive for a local show. And it was great to see so many characters old and new from the local scene.
There were so many quality categories and competitors, back at our 1996 show we only had Juniors, Novice, 1 Ladies class (with only 1 competitor), ‘shirts off’ and Mr categories. The number and quality of the 2015 Mr Hull, for Hull residents only, was further evidence of a healthy local bodybuilding scene.
This was an excellent start to what I’m sure will be a long and successful new beginning for bodybuilding in Hull.”
Louise Grayson
Audience member supported
“Obviously I was just a supporter but was oober impressed with how was run the guys made it a smooth awesome day “
Entering the Asylum venue as always on the shows i have reviewed, i was greeted by a photo booth from none other than Lee Archer of photo-flex.co.uk . This is where you can capture your stage magic, where all professional shots taken of the athletes onstage are available to view on large flat screen monitor ready for purchase on the day. Lee continues to offer this service at a reduced rate for each and every show as a former competitor Lee knows exactly how you the athlete want to be seen. Lee is the one and only photographer that I officially endorse for professional photography that is yrs ahead in what is truly an art form. Many athletes ask friends and family to bring a camera on the day, this is a huge mistake as without the professional eye to cast over the physique you are risking having poor shots of what may be the best condition of your life. Part of Lee’s service also includes high definition recording of the event, you can purchase this from john@photo-flex.co.uk
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With no competitive bodybuilding in Hull since 1996, today’s event was well and truly overdue. Mr Universe Dan Welburn (earned his NABBA Pro license just last year) and Body-world gym owner Kevin Bonner ( Kevin is also an old-school power lifter title holder) got together last year and began to carve out a plan to hold an event that will set the bar for any future bodybuilding events in the area. The event was held on the 3rd of May at Hull University’s Asylum nightclub a £3.6 million building ,Asylum boasts a brand new L Acoustics PA system, 2 x 2000mW full-color lasers, an intelligent lighting system and top-of-the-range DJ equipment. The event was set to be packed with athletes and supporters with high expectations of the day.
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The crowds poured in, supporters of all ages from babes in arms to grandparents supporting the juniors. The competitors had been given their large prep area. Each competitor was pumping up, tanning and supporting each other in every way possible. The atmosphere was relaxed which is surprising considering this was an event that would put Hull back on the map in the UK Bodybuilding scene. Athletes from beginners to universe winners were all under one roof today in support of the sport they all love so much,with British bodybuilding being at the forefront of everyone’s mind .
The show opened with a local dance group of Britain’s Got Talent hopefuls who excited the crowd with a high energy dance routine, featuring dancers of various age groups including the cutest looking future superstars i have ever seen.
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Mr Universe Stuart Garrington Guest appearance.
Stuarts physique commands respect, his sheer size at 6ft 2inch tall provokes disbelief when you witness first hand the amount of muscle this man holds on such a tall frame. Despite his huge frame Stuart is one of the most down to earth bodybuilders you will ever come across, when not on stage he is always seen helping out the guys and girls hoping to one day emulate his success…….
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To read more purchase the next issue of NABBA Health and fitness magazine where i cover every class and give my own unique take on the show and the athletes involved. muscletricks.com contact as many individuals as possible about the show for their comments we also discuss each athlete in each class where ever possible.
