Parkside Under-17s win their last tournament

Date: 16-08-2004 Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamUnited Kingdom

A LOCAL drug and alcohol councillor became the British National Bodybuilding Federation Central Champion 20 years after he saw a guest poser who inspired him

John Wattam (38) from Goole used to run the Fitness Factory in Pasture Road and he became the novice champion in Aylesbury, Oxfordshire last month.
He entered after getting a flyer through the door wanting people who had never taken part in bodybuilding to compete against others.
Wattam told the Courier: "I remember seeing Edward Cowett as a guest poser in the Mr Doncaster show 20 years ago and I always wanted to do it since then.
"When I entered I never expected to win but the nearer the end it got the more I wanted it.
"I hope to do the Masters in two years time when I'm 40 but I have no interest in competing until then."
The competition was filmed by Mantrill and will be shown on Sky TV in September/October on the Discovery Health Channel.
Over 3000 people went for auditions and were whittled down to four in the North, East and West who were put into separate shows depending on their ability.
Wattam had to perform four symmetry poses and six muscular poses in the morning of the final and in the afternoon perform to 90 seconds of music which he was taught by choreographer, Lynn Harrison.
He then finally performed in a pose down with all 17 competitors before judges picked him to win.
Wattam trained for three months and lost three stone on a strict dieting regime which was overseen by nutrionalist, John Hodgson.
He had to train long hard hours while working, getting up at 4.30am to go running for 20 minutes, fat burning. All contestants were drug tested.