British Championships 2025
By By Helen O’Reilly
Photography by DSTRCT Group
Videography by Steve Lewis Barrett
To order your stage photos from this event, go to DSTRCT Group.
To order your stage videos from this event, go to Steve Lewis Barrett.
The Athena in Leicester once again proved to be the perfect arena for the 2025 BPA British Championships, hosting the prestigious event for its third consecutive year.
This year marked another significant milestone, drawing a record-breaking number of athletes eager to culminate their qualifying seasons. Beyond simply crowning new British champions across various categories, the stakes were high for the "Magnificent 7" – seven new overall champions, keenly anticipated to emerge from the day's stellar lineup.
The event's grand scale was matched by the unwavering support of key sponsors. Newcomers Subdue Clothing, Pantheon Nutrition, and Revive NX showcased their offerings alongside the now-familiar and much-loved Brownie Cartel. Premier Gym, represented by Rob and Linda Thurston generously offered free use of their facilities, while HR Labs sponsored the coveted competitor t-shirts and champions' hoodies, adding to the professional feel.
Competitors were greeted by a magnificent venue, enhanced with brand new staging, dazzling trophies, and special effects, which was immediately reflected on the smiling faces of the athletes and brought even more excitement.
The competition kicked off with an inspiring win in Novice Bikini, where Super Human Champion Tilly Ann Appleby Smith claimed the first British title, later adding the Junior Bikini victory. Her journey, overcoming an ED, showcased incredible resilience and future potential.
Novice Men's Physique followed with a tight contest, Ali Waleedi narrowly edging out Sarafat Ali with a very condition Matt Hughes in 3rd.
The Masters Bodybuilding categories always delivers immense excitement:
Fran Beir's youthful physique triumphed in the Over 40s pushing the always conditioned Rafal Kwiatowski into 2nd against a formidable field including of Chris McMahon in 3rd, Bri Thompson and Dariusz Nawara. A fantastic line up.
Anth Larson successfully defended his Over 50s title, pushed hard by the remarkable debut of Tim Bird and the perpetually shredded Chris Unitt with Kevin Milne, David Barr, JN Dunne and David Lundley completing the line up of awesome over 50's.
The Over 60s saw Shaun Thomas take the title a unique way to celebrate his wedding anniversary with his wife Sue, also a competitor joining him on stage to celebrate his victory and their anniversary! Richard Deeping, 2023 and 2024 British Over 60's Champion joined us to watch the show and present the prizes in over 60's and Over 60's classes. A very special moment all round. Another phenomenal line up with Tim Bird, JJ Dunne and Pete Roche showing us all age is just a number!
As the action continued, Samaneh Almasihashiany secured the Women's Physique title, fresh off her Super Human win.
Jamie Wheatley’s much-improved conditioning and tan earned him the Under 80kg Bodybuilding against the chiselled master Rafal.
Barry Cunliffe's balanced, shredded physique dominated the Under 90kg class with English Grand Prix Champion Sean Irwin a great 2nd place. Also placing was Alex Porter in 3rd, Bri Thompson in 4th and David Barr 5th.
Karolis Karlonis and Dariusz Nawara claimed the Under 100kg and Over 100kg titles respectively.
Men's Physique also saw fierce competition: Prince Affui took the Masters Over 35 title being fought hard by Jahlani who, with a bit more conditioning may have switched the result.
Murad Reesh, whose pro card eligibility was clarified by the BPA, delivered an improved package to win the Masters Over 40s was pushed hard by newcomer and Master Ali Sidat and Steve Havvas.
Neil Barsby’s superior posing ultimately secured him the Masters Men's over 50's Physique title against a much-improved Philip Earley.
A heartwarming moment during the interval saw officials celebrate Vice President Harry Ogg's birthday with cake, highlighting the event's strong community spirit.
The second half of the show was equally thrilling. Lindsay Gallagher won Masters Bikini Over 35, and a truly surprised Samantha Popplewell, who debuted as an absolute beginner earlier in the season, clinched the Masters Over 40s Bikini title.
Louise Taylor took the Masters Over 50s Bikini, showcasing the incredible results of healthy lifestyle. Tracey Carter and Heidi Parkinson also wowed the judges in 2nd and 3rd place.
The judges faced a tough decision in Master Figure Over 35, ultimately awarding Andrea Beers the title, whose mature muscle later earned her the overall female award. Her win, alongside the camaraderie displayed by competitors like Tracey Hogg and Lauren Baker, beautifully underscored the supportive yet competitive nature of the BPA.
Classic Physique saw the unstoppable ex-gymnast and overall English Grand Prix Champion Mitch Jarvis take the win over Classic and Fit Model Jack Dutton.
In the inaugural British Fit Model championship, Prince Affui claimed the historic title, though Sarafat Ali and Steve Havvas pushed him hard for second and third, with Jack Dutton, Grant Coles, and Kris Eyre rounding out the top positions.
Men's Physique Short saw 2024 Supershow Champion Murad Reesh take the title with an improved look, and fellow Libyan Ali Waleedi took the runner-up placing, with the conditioned Sarafat Ali, youthful master Steve Havvas, and Gareth Paine also in the line up..
The Tall Class went to Fit Model champion Prince Affui, showing great balance, with Jahlani McMahon following closely. Grant Coles delivered a more conditioned physique for third, and Kris Eyre presented a much-improved posing in fourth.
The Figure girls all delivered amazing routines; Andrea Beers, with her mature muscle, took the win from the shapely Tracy Hogg, and Lauren Baker’s impressive third place made her trip from Ireland worthwhile, with Nicky Adlam also showing significant improvements.
In Bikini, Blanka Harvey, the overall Super Human Champion, beat Novice and Junior Champion Tilly Ann Appleby Smith in the short class – Tilly is certainly one to watch with more stage experience.
Proving age is just a number, Over 50s winner Louise Taylor then came into the Open category to take the title, with Over 40s stunner Caroline Hertich in second and rising star Meredith Hemmings in third.
Although Sophie Thompson was the sole competitor in Wellness, she showed great improvements from her last outing, putting on a classy I-walk to finish her category.
As the dust settled on a day filled with phenomenal talent, inspiring stories, and visible improvements, the 2025 BPA British Championships at the Athena delivered on all its promises. The eagerly anticipated "Magnificent 7" overall champions were crowned, a testament to the dedication, hard work, and passion that defines the British Bodybuilding and Fitness scene.
See you next season!!!!
BPA British Championships 2025
RESULTS
MASTERS BIKINI OVERALL – SAMANTHA POPPLEWELL
MASTERS MENS PHYSIQUE - PRINCE AFFUI
MASTERS BODYBUILDING OVERALL - FRAN BEIER
BIKINI OVERALL - BLANKA HARVEY
MENS PHYSIQUE OVERALL - PRINCE AFFUI
LADIES OVERALL - ANDREA BEERS
MENS OVERALL -MITCH JARVIS
NOVICE BIKINI
1 TILLY ANNE APPLEBY-SMITH
NOVICE MEN'S PHYSIQUE
1 ALI ALWALEEDI
2 SARAFAT ALI
3 MATT HUGHES
MASTER'S BODYBUILDING OVER 40 YRS
1 FRAN BEIER
2 RAFAL KWIATKOWSKI
3 CHRIS McMAHON
4 BRI THOMPSON
5 DARIUSZ NAWARA
MASTER'S BODYBUILDING OVER 50 YRS
1 ANTHONY LARSON
2 TIMOTHY BIRD
3 CHRIS UNITT
4 KEVIN MILNE
5 DAVID BARR
6 JJ DUNNE
7 DARREN LINDLEY
MASTER'S BODYBUILDING OVER 60 YRS
1 SHAUN THOMAS
2 TIMOTHY BIRD
3 JJ DUNNE
4 PETE ROCHE
WOMEN'S PHYSIQUE
1 SAMANEH ALMASIHASHIANY
BODYBUILDING UNDER 80 KG
1 JAMIE WHEATLEY
2 RAFAL KWIATKOWSKI
BODYBUILDING UNDER 90 KG
1 BARRY CUNLIFFE
2 SEAN IRWIN
3 ALEX PORTER
4 BRI THOMPSON
5 DAVID BARR
BODYBUILDING UNDER 100 KG
1 KAROLIS KARLONAS
2 KEVIN MILNE
3 DARREN LINDLEY
BODYBUILDING OVER 100 KG
1DARIUSZ NAWARA
MASTER'S MEN'S PHYSIQUE OVER 35 YRS
1 PRINCE AFFUI
2 JAHLANI MCCOLMON
3 NEIL BARSBY
4 KRIS EYRE
MASTER'S MEN'S PHYSIQUE OVER 40 YRS
1 MURAD REESH
2 ALI SIDAT
3 STEVE HAVVAS
4 GRANT COLES
5 MATT HUGHES
6 GARETH PAINES
MASTER'S MEN'S PHYSIQUE OVER 50 YRS
1 NEIL BARSBY
2 PHILIP EARLEY
JUNIOR BIKINI
1 TILLY ANNE APPLEBY-SMITH
MASTER'S BIKINI OVER 35 YRS
1 LYNDSAY GALLACHER
MASTER'S BIKINI OVER 40 YRS
1 SAMANTHA POPPLEWELL
2 LYNDSAY GALLACHER
3 CAROLINE HERTRICH
4 SHARMA BARKER
MASTER'S BIKINI OVER 50 YRS
1 LOUISE TAYLOR
2 TRACY CARTER
3 HEIDI PARKINSON
MASTER'S FIGURE OVER 35 YRS
1 ANDREA BEERS
2 TRACY HOGG
3 LAUREN BAKER
4 NICKY ADLAM
5 KRYSTINA JAMIESON
CLASSIC PHYSIQUE
1 MITCH JARVIS
2 JACK DUTTON
MEN'S FIT MODEL
1 PRINCE AFFUI
2 SARAFAT ALI
3 STEVE HAVVAS
4 JACK DUTTON
5 GRANT COLES
6 KRIS EYRE
MEN'S PHYIQUE OPEN
1 MURAD REESH
2 ALI ALWALEEDI
3 SARAFAT ALI
4 STEVE HAVVAS
5 GARETH PAINE
MENS PHYSIQUE TALL
1 PRINCE AFFUI
2 JAHLANI MCCOLMAN
3 GRANT COLES
4 KRIS EYRE
FIGURE OPEN
1 ANDREA BEERS
2 TRACY HOGG
3 LAUREN BAKER
4 NICKY ADLAM
BIKINI OPEN
1 BLANKA HARVEY
2 TILLY ANNE APPLEBY-SMITH
BIKINI TALL
1LOUISE TAYLOR
2 CAROLINE HERTRICH
3 MEREDITH HEMMINGS
WELLNESS
1 SOPHIE THOMPSON