2007 WNBF Worlds
Posted 23/11/2007
Photos by Sandra Harris
This year's WNBF world championships held on 10th November was another blockbuster event with a record-shattering 235 athletes representing all corners of the globe. Great Britain took three pros over the pond to New York City (Cheryl Myers, Brandon Greenwood and myself), and three amateurs (Jason Barnett, Paul Todd and Richard Grattan) along with a good handful of supporters. Britain strengthened its reputation as a force to be reckoned with at international level, with some very respectable results earned by all athletes.
Although I didn't succeed in defending my world title this year I had a fantastic time at the event. As the defending Overall champion I was graced with the honour of opening up the evening show by free posing for a couple of minutes under a spotlight. A daunting prospect considering it was sprung on me by WNBF President Steve Downs the night before at the athlete's meeting! But nonetheless I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and it was a proud moment for me to have the stage to myself for a while. A backdrop curtain was then revealed, containing a large patchwork of flags from the various participating countries, with athletes representing these countries coming on to pose in pairs. It worked well, and to finish off there was a rather impressive ceremony conducted by uniformed US Marines (who also gave out the medals and trophies afterwards).
So, onto my class, and this year it was a real dogfight for the top places in the pro middleweights (of which there were some sixteen guys in total), but top honours went to the very densely muscled and current pro Universe champion Jim Cordova. I landed second behind Jim, and I felt I pushed him hard with my conditioning and balanced development, with legs and abs being strong body-parts for me too, but his freakish thickness across the shoulders, arms and back undoubtedly gave him an advantage in the eyes of the judges, especially in those side shots. Fellow Brit Brandon Greenwood moved up a notch this year to take third, with outstanding condition and a much improved upper-body. Raphael Norat made a big impact at his pro worlds debut, taking fourth with a muscular, balanced physique and classic lines.
In what has become almost the norm now for middleweight winners over recent years, Jim Cordova went on to take the Overall. He beat out arguably the most shredded guy in the entire show - lightweight champ Brian Whitacre, and also heavyweight winner Rodney Helaire - also in his lifetime's best shape.
Many congratulations go to British athlete Cheryl Myers for successfully defending her title in the women's heavyweight division. Cheryl looked sensational, easily as good as she did in 2006 and weighing in a couple of pounds heavier with equally good condition. In the final analysis there was only one point separating her from the superb lightweight Brenda Rahe, who pipped Cheryl for the Overall. After the show, me and my wife Sandra went out for a few meals with Cheryl and her husband Stuart. They are a lovely couple and sharing time with them really made our trip to New York that extra bit special. We dined out a few times in Little Italy and also at TGI Fridays, and believe me food never tastes so good than when it's straight after a bodybuilding contest.
Over the last few years I've been fortunate to have made many good friends in the US. It was great catching up with people like Joe Klemczewski, Clarence McGill (who was looking big, wide and dangerous!), Ben Tennessen, Louis Santiago, Tiger Wilson and Brian Whitacre - to name but a few. The British team always get a very warm welcome from the athletes and show organisers alike, and it's so nice to compete where everyone is so friendly and genuinely supportive of each other.
Finally, I would like to thank my sponsors Maximuscle and Udo's Choice Oil (Savant Distribution) who's products I relied upon extensively throughout the year. I would also like to extend thanks to all my friends and supporters. I really appreciate all the emails and try to reply to each and every one of them, they really help keep me going. Lastly, but certainly not least I would like to thank my number 1 fan - naturally - my wife Sandra.
For full results visit www.wnbf.net and www.inbf.net
Here are a few photos my wife managed to catch of the top 4 in my class - the pro middleweights.
L-R: Brandon Greenwood (3rd - UK), Rafael Norat (4th - USA), Jon Harris (2nd - UK), Jim Cordova (1st and Overall - USA)
Cheryl Myers (centre) with the top 5 pro heavyweight women
Paul Todd and Jason Barnett backstage
Me and Cheryl the day after at BOOM Fitness gym
With WNBF Pro and 2006 world middleweight runner-up Clarence McGill
With WNBF Pro and and 3-time world heavyweight champion Ben Tennessen
With WNBF Pro and contest peaking guru Dr Joe Klemczewski
Photos by Sandra Harris
This year's WNBF world championships held on 10th November was another blockbuster event with a record-shattering 235 athletes representing all corners of the globe. Great Britain took three pros over the pond to New York City (Cheryl Myers, Brandon Greenwood and myself), and three amateurs (Jason Barnett, Paul Todd and Richard Grattan) along with a good handful of supporters. Britain strengthened its reputation as a force to be reckoned with at international level, with some very respectable results earned by all athletes.
Although I didn't succeed in defending my world title this year I had a fantastic time at the event. As the defending Overall champion I was graced with the honour of opening up the evening show by free posing for a couple of minutes under a spotlight. A daunting prospect considering it was sprung on me by WNBF President Steve Downs the night before at the athlete's meeting! But nonetheless I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and it was a proud moment for me to have the stage to myself for a while. A backdrop curtain was then revealed, containing a large patchwork of flags from the various participating countries, with athletes representing these countries coming on to pose in pairs. It worked well, and to finish off there was a rather impressive ceremony conducted by uniformed US Marines (who also gave out the medals and trophies afterwards).
So, onto my class, and this year it was a real dogfight for the top places in the pro middleweights (of which there were some sixteen guys in total), but top honours went to the very densely muscled and current pro Universe champion Jim Cordova. I landed second behind Jim, and I felt I pushed him hard with my conditioning and balanced development, with legs and abs being strong body-parts for me too, but his freakish thickness across the shoulders, arms and back undoubtedly gave him an advantage in the eyes of the judges, especially in those side shots. Fellow Brit Brandon Greenwood moved up a notch this year to take third, with outstanding condition and a much improved upper-body. Raphael Norat made a big impact at his pro worlds debut, taking fourth with a muscular, balanced physique and classic lines.
In what has become almost the norm now for middleweight winners over recent years, Jim Cordova went on to take the Overall. He beat out arguably the most shredded guy in the entire show - lightweight champ Brian Whitacre, and also heavyweight winner Rodney Helaire - also in his lifetime's best shape.
Many congratulations go to British athlete Cheryl Myers for successfully defending her title in the women's heavyweight division. Cheryl looked sensational, easily as good as she did in 2006 and weighing in a couple of pounds heavier with equally good condition. In the final analysis there was only one point separating her from the superb lightweight Brenda Rahe, who pipped Cheryl for the Overall. After the show, me and my wife Sandra went out for a few meals with Cheryl and her husband Stuart. They are a lovely couple and sharing time with them really made our trip to New York that extra bit special. We dined out a few times in Little Italy and also at TGI Fridays, and believe me food never tastes so good than when it's straight after a bodybuilding contest.
Over the last few years I've been fortunate to have made many good friends in the US. It was great catching up with people like Joe Klemczewski, Clarence McGill (who was looking big, wide and dangerous!), Ben Tennessen, Louis Santiago, Tiger Wilson and Brian Whitacre - to name but a few. The British team always get a very warm welcome from the athletes and show organisers alike, and it's so nice to compete where everyone is so friendly and genuinely supportive of each other.
Finally, I would like to thank my sponsors Maximuscle and Udo's Choice Oil (Savant Distribution) who's products I relied upon extensively throughout the year. I would also like to extend thanks to all my friends and supporters. I really appreciate all the emails and try to reply to each and every one of them, they really help keep me going. Lastly, but certainly not least I would like to thank my number 1 fan - naturally - my wife Sandra.
2007 WNBF Worlds British Team Results
Pros Cheryl Myers - 1st Heavyweight Jon Harris - 2nd Middleweight Brandon Greenwood - 3rd Middleweight Amateurs Jason Barnett - 4th Bantamweight Richard Grattan - 4th Lightweight Paul Todd - 6th Masters |
For full results visit www.wnbf.net and www.inbf.net
Here are a few photos my wife managed to catch of the top 4 in my class - the pro middleweights.
L-R: Brandon Greenwood (3rd - UK), Rafael Norat (4th - USA), Jon Harris (2nd - UK), Jim Cordova (1st and Overall - USA)
Cheryl Myers (centre) with the top 5 pro heavyweight women
Paul Todd and Jason Barnett backstage
Me and Cheryl the day after at BOOM Fitness gym
With WNBF Pro and 2006 world middleweight runner-up Clarence McGill
With WNBF Pro and and 3-time world heavyweight champion Ben Tennessen
With WNBF Pro and contest peaking guru Dr Joe Klemczewski