Rhino's Classic Bodybuilding Competition

The Rhinos Classic 2023 Show Report is now up on our page.

Feel free to check it out.

Thanks.

Nick

RHINOS CLASSIC 2023
SHOW REPORT

The Seventh anniversary of the Rhino’s Classic - and the first year affiliated to the new British Physique Alliance – produced another incredible line up of champions.

Promoted once again by two times Arnold Classic and IFBB World Champion Nick Swann, with the show continuing to build on its reputation as one of the best organised and most prestigious events of the UK Bodybuilding Calendar

With £500 cash prizes for the Overall Men’s & Ladies Champions each, and fantastic bespoke bronze trophies including the coveted Rhino’s head for the Overall Men’s Champion.

Held at the Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre in Stamford, South Lincolnshire, a traditional old school venue, it made for a great atmosphere with the crowd really getting behind the athletes.

The professional looking stage, warm welcome, smooth running, and super-efficient backstage made for a great athlete experience. Which is why many athletes return year after year and many new athletes joined the Rhino’s Classic to show case their hard work, the Classic being the final qualifier of the season for the BPA British Championships on the 29th October at the fabulous Athena Theatre, Leicester.

MASTERS BODYBUILDING
The competition kicked off with the over 40’s all great athletes in their own right, in a closely fought battle Brendan Hickey’s overall mass, condition, flow and balance shone through, with Darius Nawara a taller athlete a close second displaying a nice flowing physique, Rob Harris was in third spot, Rob is stacked with muscle with a Branch Warren type physique, and David Budgeon in fourth showing a well-muscled youthful physique.

We moved onto the over 50’s, another great class stacked with quality. Luke Nichols was a clear stand out winner, highly muscled with good separation and detail displayed by some excellent posing. Alan Cauchi also an Under 70kg competitor and late entry to a very worthy runner up spot with a nicely balanced physique and good conditioning. John Dauven, third and Dean Harris fourth both top quality masters made up a great over 50’s line up.
The final master’s class, the over 60’s saw Richard Deeping a clear winner with a youthful physique, good muscularity and razor like conditioning, with Ian Southall runner up needing better conditioning to be competitive.

BIKINI CLASSES
We then moved onto the ladies’ classes commencing with the Junior Bikini class, with two ladies of very differing physiques. This time the taller Abigail Thompson took top spot with great conditioning, with more muscle Abigail has great future potential. Jamie May Fowler, competing for the first time was a close runner up with a nicely balanced physique and matching the criteria for this category well, with a little more work on posing Jamie will do well at the British Finals to which both ladies received invites.
It was then onto the Master’s Bikini classes again both very tight, with the taller Joanna Sokolow triumphing over Gemma Masters in the over 35 category, both ladies very nice physiques with Joanna carrying a little more muscle and Gemma a very close second
In the over 40’s bikini, another close class with the more muscular Kerry Meadwell just pipping the highly conditioned Lousie Bertram to top spot with Hayley Pearce in third in great condition, great shoulders and upper body, her first competitive season and with more leg development will push hard for the top spot.
Next class up was the Open Bikini category, with four great physiques, Ashleigh Sives-Jackson was a standout winner in the short class with a perfectly balanced statuesque nicely toned physique, Gemma Masters could have easily won this category on another day also with a nicely balanced toned physique, Hayley Pearce came a highly commendable third with excellent condition and a well developed and highly conditioned Larissa Fullagar-read bordering on the figure category complementing a great line up.
Two competitors took the stage for the Open Bikini Tall class with the taller, leaner Abigail Thompson taking her second victory of the day, this is Abigals first competitive season, she brought great condition and with a good off season and more muscle has a bright future. Lauren Sutton came a very close runner up, with a beautiful shapely and toned figure fitting the criteria of this class perfectly with slightly tighter glutes she will challenge for the top spot at the British finals.
We concluded the Bikini Classes with the class of Ashleigh Sives-Jackson shining through to the take the Overall Bikini Championship title.

MEN’S PYHSIQUE
We started the Men’s Physique Categories with the Master’s Over 40’s where Deepak Verma with a muscular and conditioned physique took the win over Phillip Early who had a nice fresh looking physique
Next was the Men’s Physique Open classes, firstly the short category with Matty Bicar a clear winner with a physique that epitomises this category, broad shoulders, wide lats, tight waist, deep abs obliques & intercostals, an excellent skin tone, simply perfect. Deepak Verma was runner up heavily muscled with outstanding chest and taper. Lewis Marshall was third with a nice balanced physique perfect for this category, with a little more muscle will challenge for top spot. Chimere Nkata Nkata-Emetu another great competitor with thick chest came fourth and Valerio Fernandes completing a fantastic line up with a nicely balanced physique.
Onto the tall class, where Billy Croson triumphed, with a physique that fits this criteria well, well muscled but not too much with excellent conditioning, powerful arms and great mid section, relax into the posing more and he’ll do great at the British. Bas Rahman, runner had a nice physique and conditioning would benefit from more back and shoulder development to push for a higher placing. Mathew Barton, third carried a lot of muscle just needed tighter conditioning, Hemen Abukar had a fitted this category well with good taper, Dan Barford, fifth, displayed a very impressive taper, fresh look and good conditioning with more fullness and thickness Dan could easily push for a higher placing, Craig Southall completed the tall class line up with good muscle density and would benefit from tighter conditioning and a darker tan.
We concluded the Men’s Physique classes with the Overall where the overall shape , taper, muscularity and condition of Matty Bicar making him a stand out Champion.

BODYFITNESS
Following the interval, we then moved onto the remainder of the ladies categories, firstly the Bodyfitness Open, with Ruth Pierronnet taking top spot with a great physique typical of this category, right amount of muscle, well balanced, perfectly toned & conditioned and a great tan. Hayley Smith, runner up showed excellent presentation, good muscularity & separation, just a little more back width and she’d push for the top spot. Shannon McCartney completed a great line up with a nicely shaped figure but was a little softer than the other two competitors.
Next was the Masters Bodyfitness where Ruth Pierronnet was the only competitor, but it’s fair to say it would take someone special to beat her having just won the open category, Ruth, an incredibly youthful physique for a masters competitor with fantastic tone and condition.

WELLNESS
The last of the ladies’ categories for the day saw Toni Charles & Irinia Bozenkova battle it out in the Wellness category with Toni triumphing with a lovely balanced physique over the more muscular Irina who has two weeks to bring a little tighter condition for the British Finals.

CLASSIC PHYSIQUE
Back to the men with the Classic Physique category with Adam Amini showing a nice balanced muscular physique with great leg development to take first place over Anthony Davis who has a great typical classic physique and Joe Pocklington a close third having moved up the ranks from Physique making considerable gains and improvements over the years to challenge in the bodybuilding categories and performing the best vacuum pose on the day.

CLASSIC BODYBUILDING
An extremely close class saw the heavily muscled Wesley Bickley take top spot over the highly conditioned Baz Watret, two very different physiques but Wesleys muscularity & thickness won him the class. Vinnie Rasu with a typical classic physique was a close third and the X frame of Anthony Davis giving him fourth place. Tim McGibbon completed this tough class with a strong upper body and good condition, with more leg development required to push higher.

INTERMEDIATES / NOVICES
It was then onto the novice category with just two competitors, with the taller well balanced and more muscular Sam Ockendon taking top spot in his first show over the highly conditioned Baz. Sam has good proportions, powerful delts and overall, a nice physique, with more muscle on his tall frame he has a very bright future.

BODYBUILDING UNDER 70
Onto the first of the men’s bodybuilding weight categories with the under 70’s . Having moved up from physique a couple of years ago Joe Pocklinton had puts on some considerable size whilst maintaining tight conditioning, tight waist and some vastly improved posing saw him take top spot over two other great competitors, firstly Kevin Norris in second place with a nicely balanced youthful looking physique and Master’s competitors Alan Cauchi again a great physique with great muscularity, density and proportions.

BODYBUILDING UNDER 80
Yet again another hum dinger of a class with great quality. This time it was Wayne Petley to triumph with a great overall package of muscularity, balance, proportion and excellent conditioning, combined with a great tan Wayne took the title over the shorted and stockier very densely muscled Rob Harris who was also well conditioned. Vinnie Rasu & Adam Amini a close fourth & fifth respectively both brought well balanced, well proportioned physiques.

BODYBUILDING UNDER 90
And the quality continued with the Under 90’s , four fantastic athletes. The overall mass, size and condition and great legs giving Brendan Hickey his second win of the day over a vastly improved Adam Northover, with significant more mass than his first showing and the Rhino’s Classic in 2018 , Adam not only brought more muscle but razor sharp condition. David Budgeon showed a pleasing very well proportioned rock hard physique with Sam Ockendon a great contender in his first ever show very close and pushing hard for a top spot. An incredible category of class athletes

BODYBUILDING UNDER 100
We concluded the men’s bodybuilding categories with the under 100kg lads.
Daniel J Smith Junior was a stand out winner with the total package, thick dense hard muscle, great balance & proportions, great condition and a pleasing flowing physique.
The taller Dariusz Wawara displayed a well muscled, well balanced physique with good condition but on this day just came up against the mass of Daniel.

LADIES OVERALL CHAMPION

* ASHLEIGH SIVES-JACKSON *

MEN’S OVERALL CHAMPION

* DANIEL J SMITH JUNIOR *

The show concluded at 7:30pm with us crowning the ladies and men’s overall champions.

Another incredible Rhino’s Classic in the bag, another efficient and enjoyable spectacle for both Athletes and Spectators alike with the overall take away that the standard of the athletes being simply incredible.
The Rhino’s has become and has cemented itself as the first choice competition for new and seasoned athletes alike.
We look forward to seeing you all again on October 13th 2024 for the 8th Rhino’s Classic.

RHINO’S CLASSIC 2023
RESULTS

MASTERS BODYBUILDING OVER 40

1. BRENDAN HICKEY
2. DARIUSZ NAWARA
3. ROB HARRIS
4. DAVID BUDGEON

MASTERS BODYBUILDING OVER 50

1. LUKE NICHOLS
2. ALAN CAUCHI
3. JOHN DAUVEN
4. DEAN HARRIS

MASTERS BODYBUILDING OVER 60

1. RICHARD DEEPING
2. IAN SOUTHALL

JUNIOR BIKINI

1. ABIGAIL THOMPSON
2. JAMIE MAY FOWLER

MASTERS BIKINI OVER 35

1. JOANNA SOKOLOW
2. GEMMA MASTERS

MASTERS BIKINI OVER 40

1. KERRY MEADWELL
2. LOUISE BERTRAM
3. HAYLEY PEARCE

OPEN BIKINI SHORT

1. ASHLEIGH SIVES-JACKSON
2. GEMMA MASTERS
3. HAYLEY PEARCE
4. LARISSA FULLAGAR-READ

OPEN BIKINI TALL

1. ABIGAIL THOMPSON
2. LAUREN SUTTON

BIKINI OVERALL CHAMPION

ASHLEIGH SIVES-JACKSON

MASTERS MENS PHYSIQUE

1. DEEPAK VERMA
2. PHILLIP EARLY

MENS PHYSIQUE SHORT

1. MATT BICAR
2. DEEPAK VERMA
3. LEWIS MARSHALL
4. CHIMERE NKATA NKATA-EMETU
5. VALERIO FERNANDES

MENS PHYSIQUE TALL

1. BILLY CROSON
2. BAS RAHMAN
3. MATHEW BARTON
4. HEMEN ABUKAR
5. DAN BARFORD
6. CRAIG SOUTHALL

MENS PHYSIQUE OVERALL CHAMPION

MATT BICAR

BODYFITNESS OPEN

1. RUTH PIERRONNET
2. HAYLEY SMITH
3. SHANNON MCCARTNEY

MASTERS BODYFITNESS

1. RUTH PIERRONNET

WELLNESS

1. TONI CHARLES
2. IRINA BOZENKOVA

CLASSIC PHYSIQUE

1. ADAM AMINI
2. ANTHONY DAVIS
3. JOE POCKLINGTON

CLASSIC BODYBUILDING

1. WESLEY BICKLEY
2. BAZ WATRET
3. VINNIE RASU
4. ANTHONY DAVIS
5. TIM MCGIBBON

INTERMEDIATES / NOVICE

1. SAM OCKENDON
2. BAZ WATRET

BODYBUILDING UNDER 70

1. JOE POCKLINGTON
2. KEVIN NORRIS
3. ALAN CAUCHI

BODYBUILDING UNDER 80

1. WAYNE PETLEY
2. ROB HARRIS
3. VINNIE RASU
4. ADAM AMINI

BODYBUILDING UNDER 90

1. BRENDAN HICKEY
2. ADAM NORTHOVER
3. DAVID BUDGEON
4. SAM OCKENOCKENDON

BODYBUILDING UNDER 100

1. DANIEL J SMITH JUNIOR
2. DARIUSZ WAWARA

LADIES OVERALL CHAMPION

ASHLEIGH SIVES-JACKSON

MEN’S OVERALL CHAMPION

DANIEL J SMITH JUNIOR

Just a selection of the nice feedback we have received from the hundreds of messages of thanks !

It's greatly appreciated
Thank you .
Nick

RHINOS CLASSIC
2023

The curtain has come down on the seventh Rhino’s Classic and what a show.

Held on Sunday the 15th October at the fantastic Stamford Corn Exchange in the beautiful Georgian town of Stamford in South Lincolnshire

Once again, the show surpassed all expectations, the traditional style theatre created the perfect environment for an incredible atmosphere with friends & family really getting behind the athletes.

The competition, now affiliated to the BPA was the fifth and final qualifier for the British Championships on the 29th October at the Athena Theatre in Leicester.

Athletes came out in force again, with many returning and many new competitors from literally all over the UK and as far as field as Dundee, Scotland.
And the standard was incredible, every class with top quality athletes.

The stage at Rhinos is always incredible but this year was taken to another level with some fantastic lighting and pyrotechnics courtesy of Scott of spotlight ???? and some amazing flowers & bouquets from Freddie

Registration and weigh in was well organised and slick allowing for the show to start on time, something that the Rhino Classic is well renowned for and proud of.
A rarity these days but so important for a good athlete experience.

Judges from all over the UK assembled, many British and World Champions with years of judging at high level including World Pro.
Thank you to Harry, Andrea, Steve, Brandon, Angie, Paulina and Head judge Helen
Thanks also to statistician Amjad

The show started on time with the Masters Over 40’s stacked with quality athletes

This was the theme throughout the whole competition.
A full athlete report will be published in due course.
Following the Masters classes we moved onto the Ladies Bikini classes again all classes with incredible quality competitors
And then onto the Men’s Physique classes, always bigger classes again stacked with fantastic athletes

Continued ⬇️

RHINOS CLASSIC
2023

The curtain has come down on the seventh Rhino’s Classic and what a show.

Held on Sunday the 15th October at the fantastic Stamford Corn Exchange in the beautiful Georgian town of Stamford in South Lincolnshire

Once again, the show surpassed all expectations, the traditional style theatre created the perfect environment for an incredible atmosphere with friends & family really getting behind the athletes.

The competition, now affiliated to the BPA was the fifth and final qualifier for the British Championships on the 29th October at the Athena Theatre in Leicester.

Athletes came out in force again, with many returning and many new competitors from literally all over the UK and as far as field as Dundee, Scotland.
And the standard was incredible, every class with top quality athletes.

The stage at Rhinos is always incredible but this year was taken to another level with some fantastic lighting and pyrotechnics courtesy of Scott of Spotlight Events along with some amazing flowers & bouquets from Freddie.

Registration and weigh in was well organised and slick allowing for the show to start on time, something that the Rhino Classic is well renowned for and proud of.
A rarity these days but so important for a good athlete experience.

Judges from all over the UK assembled, many British and World Champions with years of judging at high level including World Pro.
Thank you to Harry, Andrea, Steve, Brandon, Angie, Paulina and Head judge Helen
Thanks also to statistician Amjad

The show started on time with the Masters Over 40’s stacked with quality athletes

This was the theme throughout the whole competition.
A full athlete report will be published in due course.
Following the Masters classes we moved onto the Ladies Bikini classes again all classes with incredible quality competitors
And then onto the Men’s Physique classes, always bigger classes again stacked with fantastic athletes
After crowning the Bikini & Men’s Physique Overall Champions we took a halfway interval.

Following the interval show promoter Nick, thanked the super-efficient back stage team of Sam, Andy and Dan who never missed a beat all day.

First of two special presentations were then made to:-
Helen, President inspiration and vision behind the BPA who was giving up Birthday celebrations to be at the show.
And Linda, Nicks wife for her support throughout his bodybuilding career and her support and help for the Classic.

The second half of the show recommenced with the ladies Figure & Wellness categories, with the standard not letting up, absolutely incredible.

And then onto the Classic Bodybuilding, Novice and onto the Men’s weight categories with some incredible battles, very closely fought.

Thanks to Deano, sound technician who also never missed a beat, with all athletes music playing spot on.

We concluded the show at around 7:30pm with both the Ladies and Men’s overall champions crowning two of the most incredible athletes in Ashliegh Sives-Jackson & Daniel J Smith Junior each taking home £500 courtesy of overall show sponsor Dr Vic

I would also like to thank the Corn Exchange staff, with a special mention for Max Siggs.

Thanks also to Alan on the door and Zara for helping Linda on ticket sales.
And Ed Glaston for helping us all clear away when we were dead on our feet.

Finally, once again a thank you to all our sponsors, in particular overall show sponsor Dr Vic

Please don’t forget your photos from Thomas
And show videos from Blake at Shuttershots

Message from the promoter Nick :-
Months of effort, organisation and a lot of expense goes into planning an event of the size and quality of the Classic
When it all comes together on show day and so many quality athletes many returning and many new choose your show over others even British finals…..
When the house is full, the music banging, the lights flashing, the smoke going off and the audience are shouting and screaming for their favourites, the pose down music plays and athletes are battling it out on stage …..
When you crown some great champions and hand out many British Invites …
When the confetti comes down on the overall ….
When athletes go home with smiles on their faces, trophies in hand.
When your sweeping the stage after being up and on your feet since 6am
Was it worth it ?
God damn YES.
Then you wake the next morning to over 400 notifications and 200 messages all saying what a great show it was and they will be back
It a 100% YES

IF CARSLBERG DID BODYBUILDING SHOWS !!!!

See you next year, date out soon.

NICK

To all athletes I would like to personally thank you once again for choosing the Rhino's Classic to showcase your hard work .

Enjoy the day.

See you on stage .

Nick

At the request of athletes we are accepting entries on the day.

Registration is at 10:00 -11:30

We cannot take cash or card payments , so if you wish to compete you must enter and pay on line , link in bio.

You can then complete a waiver form at registration.

Priority will be given to those athletes already registered and completed waivers online .

Good luck and hope to see you tomorrow .

Nick

ATHLETE / SPECTATOR INFORMATION

Venue location :- PE9 1PX

Plenty of free parking on Sunday on Broad Street, see map , swipe left ⬅️
Additional parking at North Street Car Park

Rhinos Gym location :- PE9 1XP

First coat tanning on the Saturday evening at the gym from 5:30pm

And remember all Rhinos Classic Athletes train for free all weekend Fri,Sat,Sun & Mon at

Stamford is a beautiful Georgian town , so if you're travelling from afar why not make a weekend of it.
We have the beautiful Burghley House & Rutland water on our doorstep.

Some nice hotels and with Peterborough just 20 minutes away plenty of hotels there also.

Athletes registration 10:00 - 11:30
Doors Open 12:00
Show starts 13:00

Looking forward to seeing you all in Stamford on Sunday

Nick

Useful Information