2004 NABBA UNIVERSE REPORT
This year was something of a mini-milestone for me marking the 35th year I have covered the NABBA Universe. There were a record number of competitors this time with 151 competing in 12 different classes. The quality was unbelievable. For those interested in statistics, this is how is stacked up.
Masters over 40’s 12 competitors
Masters over 50’s 12 competitors
Juniors 8 competitors
Miss Figure Class 2 22 competitors
Miss Figure Class 1 10 competitors
Miss Physique 9 competitors
Miss Fitness 6 competitors
Mr Class 4 14 competitors
Mr Class 3 16 competitors
Mr Class 2 19 competitors
Mr Class 1 17 competitors
Pro-Am 6 competitors Now to a few comments as I recall some of the highlights. When we edit the 10 hours of material I shot into 3 or 4 DVDs, a more detailed description of each DVD will be given. THE MEN In the Masters Over 40’s my old friend BRIAN PETERS of Wales, UK was a clear and convincing winner over JAMES MURAYAMA of Brazil. Then followed the Masters Over 50’s won by JOHN CITRONE in his 45th year of physique competition. He has now won every possible NABBA title and this time had a large margin over 2nd placed EARL MADURO of Holland. Next up was the JUNIOR MEN’S CLASS and what a sensational class it was. 8 outstanding juniors took to the stage with one absolute stand out. I refer to the Welsh Wizard of Mature Muscle – JAMES ‘FLEX’ LEWIS. He was the only competitor in the whole Amateur Universe to receive straight firsts from every judge. He had size, symmetry and condition, and a physique which would not have been out of place in open Class 4. From his huge calves, shredded condition to his superb posing routine, this young guy displayed pure class. Mark him down as a pro bodybuilder of the future. Runner up was the most impressive JARRAD GRADWELL of South Africa. Mr. Class 4 is for the shortest guys up to 5’6” but it was not short on quality or competitors. Brazil’s CHARLES MARIO narrowly took this class with his mature symmetry from France’s young rising star DAVID DAHAN. David did himself no favours by posing in the poor light in front of the posing platform. On the platform the lighting was optimised. But David is a winner of the future. A massive and ripped JASON CORRICK took a well-deserved 3rd place. Mr. Class 3 was STEPH SINTON’S class as he got straight firsts from every judge bar one who placed him second. Steph, formerly known as Steve had a near faultless physique, looking superb in every possible way both from the front and from the rear. Wonderful condition, balance in all areas and a large amount of hard mature muscle added up to a most convincing package. In second place was Holland’s KHALID ALMOHSENAWE with his rugged physique and huge arms. Mr. Class 2 saw a titanic battle between former Mr. World winner GIUSEPPE COZZI of Italy and the Brazilian champion GERSON GUIMARAES. When the dust had settled it was a 1-point victory to the Italian. Giuseppe displayed a fantastic back, great condition and overall size such that he looked the likely winner during most of the comparisons. Gerson was probably a little unlucky to lose such a close decision and his fantastic physique is sure to be rewarded with a class victory in the future. Mr. Class 1 is the big boys class! It was a superb victory from GREGOR KOMAN of Slovenia in what was a first ever NABBA Universe title for SLOVENIA Gregor won it on his overall symmetry and good V-shape and size. Runner up GINO BARRIOS of Holland displayed fantastic condition, wonderful abs and the best “most muscular” in the competition. But where he lost out to Koman was in arms and “lats”. I feel that if Gino can improve these 2 areas, he will be an overall Amateur Mr. Universe winner as he has such fantastic potential. CHRIS WALL of UK also impressed me with his rock hard physique, but he had to settle for 4th place this time. PRO-AM CLASS. In this part of the competition the 4 Amateur Class winners stepped up to compete with the 2 professionals namely HASSAN AL SAKA of Syria (2003 overall Amateur Mr. Universe) and SERGEY OGORODNIKOV of Russia. After the compulsory poses and comparison I would have liked to see a pose down, but it was not to be. However we were treated to a fabulous, dramatic posing routine by Hassan Al Saka who was bigger and better than last year. Hassan has an “8 pack” set of abs and a truly world class physique. I felt he was a comfortable winner in a class of his own. This is not meant to down grade the superb physique of Sergey Ogorodnikov who came in 2nd, with the ripped and symmetrical physique of new Amateur Mr. Universe STEPH SINTON in 3rd place. Prior to this Sinton had dominated the judging for overall Amateur Mr. Universe in taking this title for UK. THE WOMEN Miss Figure Class 2. This was a huge class of 22 outstanding competitors. The winner was LORENA BUCCI of Italy with a narrow margin over FLAVIA CRISOS of Brazil. I last recall seeing BUCCI win the Worlds in Baden, Austria several years ago. Her combination of muscularity, wonderful shape and condition plus her superb back proved to be unbeatable. Russia’s evergreen champion TATIANA KOVALKO had to settle for 3rd place this year. Former class winner from Adelaide, South Australia TERRI ROBERTS looked fantastic in placing 6th. But what really hurt her chances of placing higher were the 4 judges who could find no place for her in their top 8. Miss Figure Class 1. Although the number of competitors was down to 10 in this class this year, the standard was extremely high. I felt the winner was clear-cut from round 1 and that proved to be correct as statuesque PATRICIA MELLO of Brazil raced away with the class title. Her abs and overall condition were the best in the figure class and with her brief posing costume she was truly sensational. In 2nd place was the outstanding Russian figure star YANA VLADIMIROVA. With her genetics, wonderful posing routine and excellent symmetry I see her as a future winner. ANITA HESS of Germany came in at 3rd place. Overall Miss Figure Universe
When Patricia and Lorena stood side by side, it was soon obvious to me that LORENA BUCCI would win the overall title. And so it turned out that way, with Lorena’s better symmetry and incredibly defined back proving the winning factors. However, with a little more upper body width and slight improvement in her back development, Patricia will be unbeatable. She was the most exciting figure competitor in the whole competition. Miss Physique
At last it was superb and well earned victory by SANDRA WATERSCHOOT of Belgium after years of minor placings. The Russian star and current World Champion OLGA TIKHONOVA placed 2nd edging out the incredible Australian champion JO ROGERS. Olga was not as big or as hard as when she won the Worlds in Australia from Jo several months ago. In the case of Jo Rogers, she wowed the audience with her symmetry, condition and fantastic posing routine. One judge placed Jo 7th and this hurt her chances for 2nd. If this judge had given her a 3rd placing this would have put her in equal second position on points. It was that close. Miss Fitness
Six women contested this class with the amazing athlete from Northern Ireland, ANDI BLACK, taking this class. Her flexibility was truly awesome. PAULA MONTEIRO from Brazil pushed Andi all the way in taking 2nd place. Her routine was also outstanding and the fitness women mostly displayed outstanding athletic bodies. However there was one exception who really should not have competed at this event. In all my 35 years of attending the Universe I have never seen a competitor who appeared to be suffering from anorexia. I know this competitor has won WFF titles, but the Universe stage in not the place for this type of development. I would like to congratulate the hard working officials for running such a smoothly run and professionally presented event. The judges also did a great job. All in all it was the biggest and best Universe I have attended in many years. As soon as I get home to Australia the editing will begin so that everyone can enjoy the event on DVD and video. For a complete set of results, click here.
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