Deepak's double gold at the Arnold!
The IFBB Elite Pro World Championships and the Arnold Classic Europe for amateurs took place at the same venue this weekend and both events included a strong United Kingdom presence.
Unfortunately the covid pandemic that has swept the world meant Arnold Schwarzenegger was unable to attend but he did send a video message.
The UK had three competitors in the Pro World Championships, with two of them in men’s physique.
Abies Nosa (right) and Rasto Valent in Spain.
Former Arnold Classic Europe champion Abies Nosa was keen to go one better than his second place finish at last year’s world championships but had to settle for fifth on this occasion behind Dmytro Horobets. Rasto Valent, making a welcome return to the stage, was 10th.
Kristie Sanderson once again brought a terrific package to the stage in bodyfitness and placed eighth in the world.
Kristie Sanderson displays a world top 10 pro standard physique.
IFBB Pro World Champions 2020
Bodybuilding - Michal Krizanek, Slovakia
Bikini Fitness - Oksana Bryhidyr, Ukraine
Bodyfitness - Adela Ondrejovicova, Slovakia
Classic Physique - Serhii Danilets, Ukraine
Wellness - Lexy Oliver, Brazil
Fitness - Nikolett Szabo, Hungary
Men’s Physique - Dmytro Horobets, Ukraine
Arnold Classic Europe
Pride of place in the UK team went to masters men’s physique star Deepak Verma. Deepak finished first of 10 in the age 40 to 49 category then lined up against all the masters champions and took the overall title. Two golds - what an amazing result for a man who combines aesthetics, balance and stage presence.
Deepak Verma on stage at last year’s UKBFF British Championships.
There were two bronze medals for Karin Pienaar, who took third in wellness up to 163cm and third the masters wellness.
Paulius Berzinskas placed sixth in classic physique over 180 cm.
Tereza Sukova was eighth in a large and competitive bikini fitness over 172 cm line-up.
In masters women’s bodyfitness, Leanne Costa placed eighth and Deborah Warren finished ninth. Deborah was also seventh in masters bodyfitness up to 163 cm.
Peter Banks ranked seventh in bodybuilding up to 85 kg and ninth in masters bodybuilding over 55 years old.
The UK team finished 12th overall.
Arnold Classic Europe Overall Winners
Men’s Bodybuilding – Martin Drab – Czech Republic
Junior Bodybuilding: Christian Leibhan – Germany
Master Bodybuilding – Martin Drab – Czech Republic
Classic Bodybuilding – Alex Syurtukov – Russia
Master Classic Bodybuilding Open – Richard Bilik – Czech Republic
Classic Physique – Safier Iancu – Koorndijk – Romania
Master Classic Physique – Antonio DeLa Quintana – Belgium
Women’s Physique Open – Peggy Borocco – France
Bodyfitness – Alina Wilhelm – Germany
Masters Bodyfitness – Veronika Rynesova – Czech Republic
Masters Wellness – Rebeca Climent – Spain
Mixed Pairs: Popov Andrew – Kochergina Ekaterine – Russia