Middleton Arena hosts body building championships

Photo: Laura Wild

Open British Championships at Middleton Arena

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Middleton Arena has hosted of one of the biggest contests in the body building world – a competition to find Mr and Ms 2009.

The Open British Championships began at 2.00pm Saturday (31 October) as contestants gathered in the arena for the pre-judging stages.

The audience was packed with supporters.

Contestants from all over the country took part in the event, including 42-year-old Dawn Boardman, from Rochdale.

Ms Boardman’s family were waiting in the audience to see her pose before the judging panel. Her Mother, Margaret Powell, said: “Two years ago Dawn was very very ill and was on a life support machine. She has trained for 12 months and really she is just seeing how far she can go.

“She has done well with all the training and hard work, tonight she can only do her best.”

Eugene Laviscount organised the competition, he said: “Everybody is looking really good tonight, the atmosphere is great and people seem to be having a good time.”

Competition categories:

• Masters 
• Juniors 
• First Timers 
• Novices 
• Mr. Athletic 
• Men’s class 1-3 
• Miss Physique 
• Miss Fitness 
• Miss Figure

For each category the competing contestants had to pose on stage for the judges. The judging panel, made up of seven men and women from across the country, then chose the winner.

When all categories had been viewed the winners from each section came back on stage and the judges chose the overall winners.

Winners:

• Mr 2009 – Rob Ronaldo 
• Ms 2009 – Kim Byrne 
• Mr Athletic 2009 – Darren Hallet

Mr and Ms 2009 will head to the qualifier in Germany for Mr/Ms Universe