Danny Padilla

I was sorry to hear that Danny Padilla recently had to undergo quintuple heart bypass surgery. However the good news is that he is making a good recovery.

Danny is only 51 and you can see his latest contest appearance in our video of the 2000 Masters Olympia A-1020 where he placed 10th.

In July 78 I filmed Danny and Richard Baldwin at Muscle Rocks in California. I well remember how hot it was that day and how I offered Danny water to drink as the sun was fierce and dehydrating. But Danny refused any water, fearing it could reduce the muscularity and separation he was displaying for the shoot. He was a true professional and one of the most genetically gifted shorter physique stars that I have ever worked with.

I also filmed Danny a second time one week later on a West L.A. golf course, posing – not playing golf. Just as we finished the shoot the course security arrived and asked us to leave, which was perfect timing from my point of view! His photos from that golf course shoot are in the Gallery. You will find Danny is in a number of our contest videos if you use our site search engine.

1981 IFBB World Games Bodybuilding Contest

I have just done some research on this contest, which was one of the last major events I shot on film (V-150). Video took over from film in 1983.

The contest was held in the San Jose Center for Performing Arts on August 1st, 1981. The contest promoter was Paul Love and I travelled with the Australian team. Our highest placed competitor was the current Mr. Australia, Billy Knight who placed 2nd behind James Youngblood of USA in the Middleweight Class.

Other notable stars were John Kemper, Jaques Neuville, Jesse Gautreaux, Ulf Bengtsson, Renato Bertagna and Joe Distinti just to name a few. Kike Elomaa, Pam Brooks and Carla Dunlap starred in the women’s classes. 2 years later Carla Dunlap became Ms Olympia,

You can see all the top people, men and women in our video V-150. We have now added some photos of Kemper and Neuville from this classic event to the Gallery. The results are now in our Results section. If anyone has photos from the contest please let me know.

2002 WFF World Championships for Fitness & Bodybuilding

This was the 21st such international event promoted by the WFF, with their other major annual event being the WFF Universe held in Goettingen, Germany in June 2002.

The town of Northeim (near Goettingen) was the latest host to “The Worlds”, held on December 14 in cold and snowy Germany. I made a special trip from Australia to tape this event, with Clive Jaques coming over from UK to cover the pump room, take photos and help me break down and pack up equipment at the end of the event when I am so utterly exhausted.

As usual, the contest started at 4.20pm and went through without a break for the standard 12 hours till 4.20am. This time I was able to arrange with the co-comperes for a 2 minutes comfort stop for me each 3 to 4 hours so that I missed taping none of the action from the 211 competitors. Most contests are a little easier than this!

I brought to my camera position a plentiful supply of food and water to see me through this non-stop gruelling camerawork marathon of 13 hours, including setup time. This is certainly not advance sales pitch to buy the 5 contest tapes we will produce from this event, (plus men’s pump room) but my days for covering this demanding and stressful event are definitely numbered. To fly for 20 hours from Australia to Germany, plus many hours on trains to and from Northeim and being harassed by airport security who pull all of my video equipment out for checking is not much fun.

Now for a brief report on the proceedings. 153 men competed in 22 different classes and 58 women competed in 18 different classes. See our RESULTS SECTION for a complete set of results. We will have 10 photos up in the Gallery later this week, 5 each men and women. If you want to see photos of all of the winners see http://www.worldfitnessfederation.de/nabba/frame1/wff_p_he_02.html

One of the reasons for so many classes is the age split up. The major divisions are split into 3 classes being Under 30, Over 30 and Over 40. This gives everyone a chance within there age and body type division to compete on an even playing field. No weight classes or height classes are needed and WFF President Klaus Hoffmann grades the physiques, both male and female into their respective classes.

The event was superbly promoted and organized by Wolfgang Iben who still found time to prepare for his over 40 Fitness Class which he won. He has operated his own gym in Northeim for 25 years.

For a complete set of results click here.

THE WOMEN

First category was the WOMEN’S AEROBIC DIVISION with 11 women. It included a special class for Junior Women and this was further split into under 18 and 18 to 21 years. JOLANDA MILERIUTE and EDINA CSIPAK were both worthy winners in the junior sections with the superb MARYA DEKSNE being the standout competitor.

Next was the WOMEN’S FITNESS CATEGORY split into 5 classes with a total of 20 women. Again there were the 2 age groups for Junior Women, which is fostering talent for future years for this organization. Russia’s NATALIA SUVOROVA at 20 years of age had a fantastic physique and displayed huge potential to be a really top competitor of the future. Her genetics and symmetry were outstanding with looks to match.

In this fitness category, the over 30 class contained the hottest competition with women such of SUSAN MALEKPUR of Germany overall champion from the last event, JOLANDA BEUVING of Holland and the beautiful ANNA-MARIA KONSTANTINIDOU of Greece. Susan triumphed again and then won the overall title as well. She has a truly fantastic body, with a lean, perfect shape and symmetry with a degree of muscle size attained from years of training naturally. Plus she has a neat posing routine to display her body to perfection. I have booked her for a workout segment for our 2003 FIBO Women’s video.

WOMEN’S PERFORMANCE was next to grace the stage with 13 competitors in 2 classes. It was interesting to note that most were in the over 30 class. The 2 most impressive performers were the class winners VICTORIA ZABOURDIAEVA of Russia, the overall winner, and over 30 winner from Germany BETINA MÜLLER.

WOMEN’S ATHLETIC CLASS followed with 7 strong competitors, again mostly over 30, as it takes time to develop quality, mature muscle. MARIE-PIERRE RIPERT of France presented a truly wonderful posing routine and she is always well placed in this division. The great posing is a family tradition as husband Olivier won many best posing wards in his NABBA Universe career.

However IRENA ZINCHENKO took the overall once again with NATALIA PRONINA winning the over 30 class.

Next up was WOMEN'S SUPERBODY and these are the more heavy-duty physiques. Women’s Superbody is much like NABBA’S Women’s Physique class and 5 superbly built athletes vied for the title of best female bodybuilder in the whole event.

CLAUDIA REICHWEIN of Germany was sensational with a tight, hard physique and well defined mid section. In the Over 30 class, MASCHA TIEKEN of Holland had the measure of her peers and was a worthy winner with a well-balanced and mature physique. However Mascha could not topple Claudia in the overall decision, but in my opinion it was close.

WOMEN’S EXTREME BODY. This class of 5 seemed a little out of balance with the grading of women into this class versus the previous class, Superbody. The Extreme class included an interesting mix of NABBA and WFF champions with the veteran Universe and World Figure Champion SYLVIE ESMENJAUD of France, POPI TSINTARI of Greece (a recent runner up to GIOVANNA ROSA in the Miss Universe Tall Figure Class) and SVETLANA PUGACHEVA of Russia.

Although Popi Tsintari was the winner with her hard, lean and vascular ripped look, I would not classify Svetlana or Sylvie as having an “extreme body” look. Very well defined, yes. This was hardest on Pugacheva who was in her all time best condition. Her previous weakness of thighs being a touch too large for the rest of her physique had been corrected. She was as sleek as a Susie Curry, had flawless skin, good abs, symmetry and a brilliant posing routine. She should have been a winner, but competing in another class. However her luck changed in the Pairs, when she added another world title to her previous WFF titles.

THE MEN

The same contest format is followed each year with the JUNIOR MEN (under 21) starting proceedings with 2 separate categories. This year the Junior Superbody Class was down a little in numbers as this class is for the young guys who are most massively developed for their age. OLE FRANKE was the superb winner of this Junior Superbody Class. A total of 17 juniors competed.

In the WFF, nationality is somewhat de-emphasized as it is very much a “one big family” competition. During the prejudging the country represented is not announced for any competitor. Then at the end of the prejudging, which goes continuously class for class, all the competitors come back on stage in the same class order as the prejudging for the awards from 6th down to 1st and the acceptance of wonderful trophies. For example when the 3 age group winners of a category have been announced they are then judged via compulsory poses for the overall trophy, which is then awarded within 60 seconds. A most efficient system.

No pose downs are permitted during the overall title selections in each category but a pose down is done at the end of the prejudging for every class. The audience just loves this, as the pose down remains one of the most exciting and appreciated sections of any bodybuilding event. The winner’s country is also announced.

WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES is a wonderfully emotional competition. One can’t imagine what it must be like stuck in a chair. To have a performance outlet on stage for these lower body disabled athletes is brilliant. KENRIK PALMER from Baden, Austria, finally won this class beating ROBERT VON VIETINGHOFF of Germany. Kenrick is a former USA Gridiron champion, now domiciled in Austria.

The three different classes of MEN’S FITNESS were next on stage. Round 1 is the traditional ¼ turns for symmetry, round 2 is the posing routine and round 3 is the comparisons in the usual compulsory poses. It was a huge division with 49 men spread over the 3 age classes.

In the Under 30s it was very close between the young bucks, many of them already having impressive records as past winners. The standouts were FRANCO CALOTTO, the eventual winner and LARS KASPER a former title holder.

In the Over 30s class the battle from 6 months ago was revived between PATRICK HEISEL of Germany and VASSILI DELIS of Greece. Again it was Vassili as a very narrow winner. I felt a bit sorry for Patrick at 1.84 metres (about 6’3” tall) against Delis at about 1.6 metres with a more chunky type of build. Patrick epitomized male fitness and was lean, ripped with striations in all body parts, and better than at the WFF Universe 6 months ago. However the judges preferred the heavier more compact physique of the Greek. So it was the Greek Hercules once again victorious.

Patrick asked me what he needs to do to win this class again, but I had no easy answer for him. He is very small boned and maybe 1 or 2 kgs heavier next time with the same degree of muscularity could tip the scales for him. But it then revolves around what the judges prefer on the day.

In the Over 40 Fitness Class, contest promoter WOLFGANG IBEN was in tremendous shape. He was greatly improved on his showing in Goettingen with a nice bicep peak and superb overall condition. He managed to edge out RON ENDERLEIN who took a well deserved 2nd.

In the Overall, there was not stopping Vassili Delis as he added another title to his unbeaten record.

The MEN’S PERFORMANCE category saw 24 superb athletes strut their stuff in a division where great emphasis is placed on the posing routine performance. In the Under 30s MINDAUGAS KVASYS was a star performer and worthy winner. Former champ, SVEN KASPER was second.

In the Over 30 class, it was the Great Dane, HENNING KRISTENSEN who absolutely blitzed the field with his tight, muscular gymnast’s physique and brilliant routine which naturally had strong elements of gymnastics in it. He subsequently went on to easily win the overall title in this category, complete with a leap 3 ft into the air as his overall victory was announced. Don’t miss his wonderful routine on video as it should be an inspiration to all those who say that men’s posing routines are mostly dead boring. Not this guy!!

MEN’S ATHLETIC saw 18 guys in action, with some of them displaying highly imaginative props as part of their posing routines. In the Under 30s, the standard was so high that past winner POLI MOUTEVELIDIS could only place 3rd. His abs were some of the best in the whole competition. But he had to bow to class winner ANDREI POPOV of Russia this time. So we have included Poli in the Gallery selection we have made as he is an old friend of ours!

In the Athletic Over 30 Class it was the eventual overall winner CHRIS SOFOTASIOS who dominated.

Finally in the Over 40 Class it was time for the “Mighty” MIKE MITCHELL of Scotland to make his mark complete with sword and leather tunic. He was in great shape and together with his brilliant routine and outfit had his first ever victory at World level.

MEN’S SUPERBODY produced an elite field of 13 physique stars, more or less along the lines of some NABBA Universe competitors. In the Under 30 Class, ARTEM OVSOIAN from Moscow looked very good in the upper body, but legs and posing routine both needed more work such that 2nd was to be his reward this time. He has the potential and the genetics to be a top star in bodybuilding if he sets his mind to it and works on his weaknesses.

SASCHA MEURER was a superb winner of this class with an all round physique with excellent symmetry. He later took the overall title.

In the Over 30 Superbody Class, ILARIO RONGIOLETTI was an emphatic winner.

In the Over 40 Superbody Class, I was looking for my old friend JACK WADSWORTH from USA to do well. However, the competition was so hot that Jack missed out on a top placing although he looked in great shape. The class was won with the rock-hard mature physique of MARCO ACQUISTUCCI.

MEN OVER 50 AND 60: In the 50s class, bearded German REINHARD HESS was again too strong and complete in his physique, beating EARL RICHARDSON.

There were three competitors in the Over 60s, and the amazing veteran WILLI BENDEL easily added another World title trophy to his bulging trophy cabinet. He has been winning contests for over 35 years and still displays superb bicep size AND RIPPED CONDITION!

MEN’S EXTREME BODY. Three outstanding physiques fought out this class with the huge, muscularly massive and superbly conditioned MASSIMO MARRA an easy winner. To get an idea of what Massimo looked like, try to imagine a smaller version of MARKUS RÜHL and you have the picture. What I liked was no evidence of belly bloat at such a massive size and weight. I am not sure if he was representing Italy or Canada as he had a parent form each country!!

MAREK KALMUS was a very impressive runner up with a clean cut type of physique, tall with outstanding shape and good symmetry.

PAIRS FITNESS. This entertaining class saw 6 pairs who had the lighter type physiques. Some of the routines were brilliantly conceived and highly athletic. It was very close as the judges are looking at both the routine as well as the body size, shape and condition. But first place went to DEKSNE & TOKAREVS from the beautiful NATALIA SUVOROVA and IVAN BEREZA.

PAIRS ATHLETIC. In this the final class of the night, 5 wonderful pairs provided a grand finale to another superb WFF World Championship.

Finally SVETLANA PUGACHEVA tasted victory for Russia with her partner ANDREI POPOV. Not only did they both have the best physiques in the class they also performed the best routine. It was sexy, innovative and muscular in it choreography, providing a wonderful example of the art of Pairs Posing.

In second place, probably due to their brilliant routine were MARIE-PIERRE RIPERT and CHRISTOPHE DUCOS of France.

Thus ended a fantastic but draining 21st WFF World Championship with the next one (the WFF Universe) set for 14th June, 2003, again in Northeim a week after the NABBA Worlds in Scotland.