Caught Somewhere In Time
The 1999 British Grand Prix
Over the coming months Bodybuilding.com will be featuring standout, much talked about, and speculated Bodybuilding shows from all over the world. Our pictorials will show you exactly how the competitors matched up and our editorials will be written by writers who were actually present at that show.
We start our series off with the amazing 1999 British G.P. Promoted by Kerry Kayes; this show had one of the toughest lineups in Bodybuilding history. If you were to look at any of the top tiered competitors in this show without looking at the results, you would assume he was to be the winner.
Click To Enlarge. Kerry Kayes.
Gary Phillips's pictures take us through the keyhole of time to that day in 1999 where premier class muscle reigned supreme.
Ronnie Coleman Reigns Supreme
The CNP Grand Prix in Manchester, England was captured convincingly by the reigning Mr. Olympia, Ronnie Coleman. With a few of the top Olympia Pros absent due to the lack of Visa's or passports, Chris Cormier being one of them, this almost guaranteed Levrone a hefty cheque for attending this years Grand Prix.
Click Image To Enlarge. Ronnie Coleman & Kevin Levorone At The 1999 British Grand Prix.
Photo By Gary Phillips.
Also absent from the show was Lee Priest who could not leave the US because of fear that he would not be permitted back in. No Green Card, you aint coming in!
Another sadly missed physique was that of ET, and I don't mean a short slimy guy with no legs and a long neck, who comes from outer space. Ernie Taylor to you confused readers. Ernie has just undergone an operation to repair his shoulder and will most probably be out of action for the next 12 months. Bounce back Ernie and don't forget to phone home. Sorry for that but I couldn't resist it!
Click Image To Enlarge. Kevin Levrone & Milos Sarcev.
Photo By Gary Phillips.
IFBB Newcomers:
There seemed to be many more new pro's at this years GP and most of them being British. Unfortunately not one of them making any real noise at this event. Saying that, three of the British contingent did manage to crack the top ten.
Placing's
18th Place - Ken Jones:
Ken qualified for his pro card by winning the lightweight class at the USA Nationals. Really needing to add 20kg of muscle to even stand in this line-up without looking stupid. Double the dose Ken!
17th Place - Gustavo Badell:
Unfortunately Gustavo was way too smooth, but he has the mass and shape to kick some @ss... if he gets his diet right.
16th Place - Jean-Pierre Fux:
When Jean-Pierre hit the scene at the Arnold back in 1996 he looked like he was going to be a front-runner in this sport but never really reached his potential.
With a huge extended stomach and real messed proportions, he had no chance of beating some of the smaller guys in this comp. "It's not all about size baby," well that's what I keep telling my girlfriend.
15th Place - Dayo Audi:
He turned out to be the lowest placed British competitor in the show and probably deserved better. Not as dry as he was when he qualified at the pro qualifier earlier in the year, but was definitely overlooked by the judges.
14th Place - Rod Ketchens:
Besides Ken Jones Rod was the lowest placed American competitor. He came over looking like he hadn't dieted for this comp. He has all the size needed to be a threat but needs to diet.
13th Place - Oleg Zuhr:
Boy does this guy have potential, with a great shape and loads of mass for a short dude. What a shame he wasn't rock hard, he really could've given the top shorter guys a run for their money.
12th Place - Jeff Long:
Unfortunately nicknamed "The Box," for what reason it escapes me. I presume it's nothing to do with his physique. He's one of the shorter competitors in this competition and really needed to bring some condition to the table to make the top 10. He appeared to be holding a little water, especially in the back.
11th Place - John Hodgson:
Manchester boy, John Hodgson, who always comes in ripped managed to do so again but could not get a look in next to the shear mass of the top US boys such as Ronnie Coleman, Flex Wheeler and Kevin Levrone. He looked like he was really enjoying himself though. Good on you John.
10th Place - Jamo Nezzar:
Mr. Majestic looked very comfortable on stage with the big boys. His stage presence was glowing, with confidence shinning out of every orifice. Beautiful shape, but needs an extra 10kg to crack the top six.
9th Place - Colin Wright:
Qualifying by winning the amateur show earlier on in the day, he was in great shape and had plenty of beef on such a short stature. Didn't really get a look in with the American boys. Still a great effort, from amateur to pro and placing in the top ten at his first pro show. Hat off to you Colin!
8th Place - Peter Brown:
The highest placed Brit in the show resembled the Brutal Bertil Fox, especially in the chest, arms and delt areas. He must be happy with this placing in his pro debut.
7th Place - Marcus Ruhl:
If the likes of Marcus Ruhl can't make the top 6 in this show then it must be a FG unbelievable standard. Taking a close 7th the German mass monster, who burst on to the scene by out muscling Paul Dillet at the NOC, needed to come in with more of a narrow waist to appeal to the judges.
Click To Enlarge. Milos Sarcev, Marcus Ruhl & Nasser El Sonbaty.
Photo By Gary Phillips.
6th Place - Nasser El Sonbaty:
Taking $1000 US home for his effort was Nasser El Sonbaty. Looking huge and confident, but he just lacked that dry look that he achieved and we witnessed at the Arnold Classic back in March.
Click To Enlarge. Nasser El Sonbaty At The 1999 British Grand Prix.
Photo By Gary Phillips.
5th Place - Milos Sarcev:
$3000 happier was Mr. Sarcev. Never looking bad when he competes, this was no exception. A good placing for him with a jump up from 10th at the Olympia, he seemed quite pleased with his result. Good sportsman, that's what we like to see.
Click To Enlarge. Milos Sarcev At The 1999 British Grand Prix.
Photo By Gary Phillips.
4th Place - Dexter Jackson:
Dexter "The Blade" Jackson taking $4000 for his British Pro debut. The rumour is that he will be the next Flex Wheeler. With the lines and posing he appears to be the Minnie me of Flex. "One Miiiiiiiiillion Dollars!" Ha ha ha ha ha!
3rd Place - Kevin Levrone:
Looking huge, full and dry, Kevin came a close third and could've quite easily taken the silver medal. His legs and calves appeared bigger and harder than we had seen in his recent appearance at the Olympia, where he placed 4th.
Click To Enlarge. Milos Sarcev, Kevin Levrone & Ronnie Coleman
At The 1999 British Grand Prix.
Photo By Gary Phillips.
2nd Place - Flex Wheeler:
The most pleasing and aesthetic physique of this century and the uncrowned Mr. Olympia in many people's eyes, was placed in the runner-up position behind Ronnie, yet again. Holding a little something that made him appear bigger, but unfortunately slightly softer than at the Olympia. Flex Wheeler's posing and stage presence always makes him stand out in a line-up such as this.
Click To Enlarge. Flex Wheeler At The 1999 British Grand Prix.
Photo By Gary Phillips.
1st Place - Ronnie Coleman:
Taking $10,000 home to the US, Ronnie was streets ahead of the track, as he was at the Olympia this year. It's really going to take a miracle to beat this guy and I can see him going on beating Dorian's Olympia achievements, at the very least.
Click To Enlarge. Kevin Levrone, Flex Wheeler & Ronnie Coleman.
Photo By Gary Phillips.
Conclusion
Overall the show was very entertaining and a great opportunity for the British bodybuilding fans to get up close and personal with the elite bodybuilders of the world. A big thanks to Kerry Kays , for putting his cash and effort in to this British Grand Prix, yet again.
Click To Enlarge. 1999 British Grand Prix Posedown.
Photo By Gary Phillips.