Spotlights, sequins, and months of painstaking preparation came together on the weekend, as local athletes stepped into the spotlight to flex, pose and perform routines honed through hours in the gym and unyielding discipline in the kitchen… but only two could walk away with the bodybuilding crown…
The UKBFF Channel Islands Wellness and Physique competition took place on Sunday.
For the first time since 2019, the competition took place at the newly-refurbished Opera House.
Sponsored by BodyRox gym, the highly-anticipated event saw local and regional athletes flaunt their physiques across a range of categories.
Athletes were judged on muscle quality, body symmetry, stage presence and their ability to pose.
“We had been looking forward to this show for the past five years, and it truly meant a lot to finally bring it to life,” BodyRox said.
“We received so many positive comments about the show, the venue, and the overall experience. That’s what matters most, and we are incredibly grateful for that.
“The event was a success, and we’re proud of what we achieved together. The audience loved it, and that’s the bottom line. We’ve already had so many competitors asking to enrol for next year, and we’d love to secure a date for our next show at the Opera House.”
Express caught up with overall winners Luc Langlois and Hayley Burrows about their achievements, as well as one of the newer entrants…
Luc Langlois
21-year-old Luc Langlois was awarded Overall Mens winner, and also placed first in the Junior Bodybuilder and Bodybuilder over 90kg categories.
Having previously competed and placed third, he said that it was “nice to win something in my last competition of the season”.
Luc plans to compete in the Bridge finals in two weeks’ time, adding that it was “good to get a win under my belt” before then.
He explained that he used the same routine as when he competed 10 weeks ago, and that he “got a fair bit of practise in before the evening show”.
“I already had it in my mind.”
Luc’s goal is to spend more time growing muscle and to compete again as a junior, adding: “Hopefully it’ll be another successful season as a junior in my last year.”
Hayley Burrows
Hayley Burrows was “over the moon” and “very proud” to be awarded Overall Women’s winner, as well as placing first in the Wellness category.
She explained that her routine was like “muscle memory”, and that she “had a blast choreographing” it.
“My aim was to express myself in a way that truly reflects my personality with extra sass!”
She shared that her achievement made “all the little sacrifices worth it”.
Hayley is due to compete at the British Championships at the end of this month and says that it will be “another exciting challenge!”
Dylan Ford
Express previously interviewed first-time competitor Dylan Ford about his preparation for the event.
His hard work paid off, as he was awarded first in the Classic Physique category and placed second in the Junior BodyBuilder category.
“It feels absolutely amazing to be a winner. All the hard work and suffering paid off, I enjoyed it and would love to do it again.”
Dylan said he intends to spend the next two years growing muscle and aims to compete again.
The full list of winners…
- Overall Mens: Luc Langlois
- Overall Womens: Hayley Burrows
- Junior Bodybuilder: Luc Langlois
- Classic Bodybuilding: Masimba Nyamajiwa
- Classic Physique: Dylan Ford
- BodyBuilder Over 90KG: Luc Langlois
- Junior Mens Physique: Behold Manyangadze
- Fit Model: ChelseaLea Stokes
- Master BodyFitness: Virginija Mazintiene
- Bikini Beginners: Ecaterina Angheluta
- Master Bikini 35+: Debora Cardoso
- Master Bikini 40+: Tracy Le Bail
- Wellness: Hayley Burrows
- Bikini Open: Ecaterina Angheluta
- Mens Physique: Masimba Nyamajiwa
- Best Posing: Masimba Nyamajiwa