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by Andrew Michalak

“We are among people who love sport” – Dr. Santonja said during the opening ceremony. It is especially true in Bulgaria and especially true in reference to weight training and sports based on the weight training like all physique sports. We all have heard about great history and achievements of Bulgarian weightlifters, wrestlers and other sports belonged to the strength sports family. Bodybuilding is the youngest “strength” sport in Bulgaria; however strength is used in a bit different manner than in the other “pure” strength disciplines.
Bulgarian bodybuilders have advanced to the world elite few years ago, with great successes of Hristomir Hristov and Dimitar Dimitrov. Their most famous classic bodybuilders are Konstantin Paskalev, Vladimir Kurdov and Rosen Ivanov. And there is a big “new wave” of young, gifted athletes, who will be winning medals for Bulgaria in the not so far future.
Bulgarian Federation under the leadership of Mr. Alexander Stalijski also started to host great IFBB international events like continental and world championships. They have experienced officials and judges, they have great venues, they have comfortable hotels and… they have financial capacity, what can’t be ignored. And physique sports are recognized there by the government and National Olympic Committee. Sport Minister Svilen Neykov came to the Championships, presented medals and received one of the highest IFBB awards, Platinum Award, in recognition of his input to the physique sports development at the national and international levels. President Stalijski was honoured with the IFBB Distinguished Service Award.
And my special thanks to the Organizers on behalf of the IFBB Press Commission: first time in the recent contest history we had a table at the venue, we had fast internet connection and we have power supply, so we could inform all of you almost immediately about the Championships’ progress and results.

Now about the battle on the stage. First time in the Classic Bodybuilding Worlds history the event was dominated by the non-European countries. Korea and Iran have been winning individual medals in the past years but have never won the Best Team Classification. It happened at these Championships: Korea and Iran were declared the best two teams! The third place went to the host country: Bulgaria. Former “superpowers”: Russia, Slovakia, Germany and Poland dropped out of the top three. 2011 best team, Estonia, even didn’t come to the Championships. South Africa moved up to the top ten what is a meaningful achievement of this continent.
This is the best evidence showing how classic bodybuilding has been spreading throughout the world.
The World Cup was dominated by Ukraine, which brought top quality champions, winning three categories and one bronze medal in the other class.

Classic bodybuilding up to 168 cm:
Finally, 11 athletes on the stage and all favorites entered the finals, except Robert Horvat (Croatia), who dropped to the 7 position. In the finals: two as usual very well-prepared Koreans: 2012 Asian Championships finalist Kikwan Seol and 2012 national champion Sungwon Kang, 2012 Worlds runner-up Suguru Kamada (Japan), 2012 European champion Osman Colak (Turkey), 2007 Worlds bronze medal winner Gianluca Fiorenti (Italy), who is back after three-year break and only one new face in this group, trainer from the fitness club “Atletiko” in Kiev Stanislav Vizenher (Ukraine).
After the semifinals one clear leader: Sungwon Kang but in the finals he was pressed by his team-mate Kikwan Seol, so they were even tied in the 3rd round. Anyway, Kang managed to keep the top position and won his first world champion title. Seol finished in the 2nd position, so the top two places for the bodybuilding “Asian tiger” – South Korea. Colak and Kamada were running an extremely close battle for the last medal, which finally went to Colak.

Classic bodybuilding up to 171 cm:
Two Iranians: Javad Soltani and Mehdi Yarali were in a top shape and Justin Thucker from South Africa, who returned after his 8th place at the 2009 Worlds, showing visible progress. Then two new athletes with no international records: Hasan Mert (Bulgaria) and Hakan Camci (Turkey).
Soltani was an unquestionable leader, winning all rounds, Yarali took the 2nd position with no special problems, but Thacker and Yang ran tough battle for the bronze medal, which finally went to South Africa.

Classic bodybuilding up to 175 cm:
The core of the finalists consists of the experienced and titled champions: 2011 Worlds runner-up Aleksander Barbashin (Russia), two European champions: Vladimir Kurdov (2009) and Tomas Tabaciar (2010), and the current Europeans runner-up Antonio Ludovico (Italy). But two “newcomers” in the finals: Jehyung Ryu (Korea) and Martin Rusanov (Bulgaria) didn’t want to occupy the last places. Gold medal went to Ryu, 5 points ahead of Kurdov, and the bronze medal to Tabaciar, after a close battle in the semifinals against Barbashin.

Classic bodybuilding up to 180 cm:
the finals we could see the 2012 Worlds runner-up Aristidis Nikolopoulos (South Africa), 2010 bronze medal winner Thomas Schnelldorfer (Germany) and two-time Europeans runner-up Robert Majewski (Poland). Plus two more challengers: Mahdi Zatparvar of Iran and Andreas Ferrara of Germany. And from among them a new sensational winner emerged: Mahdi Zatparvar. He is gifted by Nature with an unexceptionable body proportions and body lines. The judges was so impressed with his physique and conditioning that put him in the first place not only in this category but in the overall as well. Ivanov took the 2nd position in all rounds and the bronze medal went to Schnelldorfer who was tied with Majewski but won the second round.

Classic bodybuilding over 180 cm:
Twenty athletes on the stage and a bitter experience for the last year’s runner-up Andrey Lopushanskiy (Azerbaijan) who together with his team-mate Ragib Bayramov came too late to the venue. The only competitor with bigger achievements in the past was 2010 Worlds runner-up Lubos Malinak (Slovakia). Then 2010 Europeans finalist Andreas Grümeyer (Austria) and few new faces: Pavel Georgiev (Bulgaria), Yan Hubenko (Ukraine), Dmitrii Krylov (Russia) and Ignacio Chinetti from remote Argentina. The battle was successful for the classic bodybuilding pioneer and the first European champion (2006) Lubos Malinak of Slovakia. “Silver” went to a Russian rising star Dmitrii Krylov and “bronze” to Pavel Georgiev of Bulgaria.

The battle for the overall title was run between two Iranian athletes: Mahdi Zatparvar and Javad Soltani and finished with slightly victory of Zatparvar (by 2 points).

Bodybuilding open category:
As usual, not so long line-up but the quality of athletes was outstanding. Look at the top names: 2012 world champion Mahmut Irmak, 2011 Worlds runner-up Mehdi Hatami, multi-world champion in men’s and masters divisions Hamdullah Aykutlu, 2010 Arnold America runner-up Arvydas Mickus, 2012 Arnold Europe finalist Atanas Nikolaev and a couple of classic bodybuilding athletes who were overweight but they had no chance to challenge so big stars..
Irmak, as usual, with beautifully shaped muscles but, maybe, with less details than in Ecuador. Aykutlu was much bigger, fuller and deeper separated than at the Men’s Worlds in Ecuador. Mehdi displayed all qualities: full, hard muscles and very low bodyfat level, so was declared a winner. Aykutlu winning the 3rd round was able to pass Irmak and moved up to the 2nd place. Then Mickus and Nikolaev.

Women’s bodyfitness
Both classes were very exciting this time. In the short class, up to 163 cm, 2012 Arnold Europe 3rd place winner Renata Marcinkute (Lithuania) and two-time Masters Worlds runner-up Carina Isaksson (Sweden) were the best-known names but surprisingly lost to the gymnastic teacher from Stockholm, Helene Ahlson.

All five competitors in the tall class are well-known champions with international successes. The top three were running a very close combat: 2011 World Cup and Amateur Olympia winner Tetyana Mikheychyk (Ukraine) , the 2009 world champion Katarzyna Kozakiewicz-Kowalik (Poland) and 2012 World Championships bronze medal winner Olga Karavayeva (Ukraine). Tetyana was in her best shape but what decided about her one-point victory over Katarzyna was probably the T-walking presentation. Maybe, it was the most attractive and stylish T-walking I have ever seen!

Women’s fitness
One open class. 2009 Women’s Worlds bronze medal winner Olga Demchuk (Bondar at that time) of Ukraine won the routine round with the perfect scores and it was enough to win the whole contest, even when she lost by one point to Nina Mukhortova (Russia) in the second round.

Men’s fitness
One super-performer in the routine round Fedir Khashalov of Ukraine and two quite good rising stars: Asian champion Hesam Safiri (Iran) and Turkish champion Turgay Ates. As they all have something to improve in their physiques, the differences in the body assessment round were minimal between them but allowed Safiri to pass Ates.

More detailed analysis in the next IFBB Universe magazine.


All pictures by www.eastlabs.biz

OPENING CEREMONY



Representatives of 35 countries during the Parade of Nations.



Bulgarian Sport Minister Svilen NEYKOV addressing the audience.



IFBB President Dr. Rafael SANTONJA opens the Championships.



IFBB Platinum Award for Minister Svilen NEYKOV (right). Presented by Dr. Rafael SANTONJA.



IFBB Distinguished Service Award for Bulgarian Federation President Alexander STALIJSKI (right). Presented by Dr. Rafael SANTONJA.



IFBB Gold Medal for the Bulgarian Federation General Secretary Eng. Arch. Roumen NIKOLOV (right). Presented by Dr. Rafael SANTONJA.



Bulgarian Federation Commemorative Award for Dr. Rafael SANTONJA. Presented by President Alexander STALIJSKI (left).



Bulgarian Federation Commemorative Award for the IFBB Women’s Committee Chairperson Wanda TIERNEY. Presented by President Alexander STALIJSKI.



Bulgarian Federation Commemorative Award for the IFBB General Secretary William TIERNEY. Presented by President Alexander STALIJSKI (left).



Bulgarian Federation Commemorative Award for the IFBB Judges Committee Chairman Pawel FILLEBORN (in the center). Presented by President Alexander STALIJSKI (left).



Trophies awaiting for the winners.



Cups for the best teams.


OVERALL WINNERS:



2012 IFBB World Classic Bodybuilding Championships overall winner: Mahdi ZATPARVAR (Iran).



2012 IFBB World Cup bodyfitness overall winner: Tetyana MIKHEYCHYK (Ukraine).



2012 IFBB World Cup women’s fitness open category winner: Olga DEMCHUK (Ukraine).



2012 IFBB World Cup men’s fitness open category winner: Fedir KHASHALOV (Ukraine).



2012 IFBB World Cup men’s bodybuilding open category winner: Mehdi HATAMI (Iran).



2012 IFBB World Cup women’s athletic fitness open category winner: Kader SÜLEYMANOGLU (Turkey).



2012 IFBB World Cup men’s athletic fitness open category winner: Kristian SEWEN (Sweden).


IFBB WORLD CLASSIC BODYBUILDING CHAMPIONSHIPS

168 CM CATEGORY:



2012 IFBB classic bodybuilding up to 168 cm category world champion: Sungwon KANG (South Korea).



2012 IFBB World Championships classic bodybuilding up to 168 cm category medal winners (from L to R): Kikwan SEOL (2nd place); Sungwon KANG (1st place); Osman COLAK (3rd place).


171 CM CATEGORY:



2012 IFBB classic bodybuilding up to 171 cm category world champion: Javad SOLTANI (Iran).



2012 IFBB World Championships classic bodybuilding up to 171 cm category medal winners (from L to R): Mehdi YARALI (2nd place); Javad SOLTANI (1st place); Justin THACKER (3rd place).


175 CM CATEGORY:



2012 IFBB classic bodybuilding up to 175 cm category world champion: Jehyung RYU (South Korea).



2012 IFBB World Championships classic bodybuilding up to 175 cm category medal winners (from L to R): Vladimir KURDOV (2nd place); Jehyung RYU (1st place); Tomas TABACIAR (3rd place).


180 CM CATEGORY:



2012 IFBB classic bodybuilding up to 180 cm category world champion: Mahdi ZATPARVAR (Iran).



2012 IFBB World Championships classic bodybuilding up to 180 cm category medal winners (from L to R): Rosen IVANOV (2nd place); Mahdi ZATPARVAR (1st place); Thomas SCHNELLDORFER (3rd place).




OVER 180 CM CATEGORY:



2012 IFBB classic bodybuilding over 180 cm category world champion: Lubos MALINAK (Slovakia).



2012 IFBB World Championships classic bodybuilding over 180 cm category medal winners (from L to R): Dmitrii KRYLOV (2nd place); Lubos MALINAK (1st place); Pavel GEORGIEV 3rd place).


OVERALL CATEGORY:



2012 IFBB classic bodybuilding overall category world champion Mahdi ZATPARVAR (Iran) with the IFBB President Dr. Rafael SANTONJA (right).and Bulgarian Federation President Alexander STALIJSKI (left).



2012 IFBB classic bodybuilding overall category world champion: Mahdi ZATPARVAR (Iran).



2012 IFBB classic bodybuilding overall category world champion: Mahdi ZATPARVAR with Iranian Federation President Omid AMIRI.



Overall category battle (from L to R): Lubos MALINAK (5th place); Mahdi ZATPARVAR (1st place); Jehyung RYU (3rd place).



Overall category battle (from L to R): Lubos MALINAK (5th place); Mahdi ZATPARVAR (1st place); Jehyung RYU (3rd place).



Overall category battle (from L to R): Jehyung RYU (3rd place); Javad SOLTANI (2nd place); Sungwon KANG (4th place).



Overall category battle (from L to R): Jehyung RYU (3rd place); Lubos MALINAK (5th place); Mahdi ZATPARVAR (1st place).



Overall category battle (from L to R): Jehyung RYU (3rd place); Lubos MALINAK (5th place); Mahdi ZATPARVAR (1st place).



THE BEST TEAMS



2012 IFBB World Classic Bodybuilding Championships best teams awarding ceremony (from L to R): Mr. Alexander STALIJSKI (Bulgaria – 3rd place); IFBB General Secretary William TIERNEY, Mr. Young Pyo HONG (South Korea – 1st place); IFBB President Dr. Rafael SANTONJA; Mr. Omid AMIRI (Iran – 2nd place).



The beast team of the 2012 IFBB World Classic Bodybuilding Championships: South Korea.



The 2nd team of the 2012 IFBB World Classic Bodybuilding Championships: Iran.

2012 IFBB WORLD CUP

WOMEN’S FITNESS OPEN CATEGORY



2012 IFBB World Cup women’s fitness winner: Olga DEMCHUK (Ukraine).



2012 IFBB World Cup women’s fitness open category medal winners (from L to R): Nina MUKHORTOVA (2nd place); Olga DEMCHUK (1st place); Caroline OLIVER (3rd place).



Olga DEMCHUK in her routine.


MEN’S FITNESS OPEN CATEGORY



2012 IFBB World Cup men’s fitness winner: Fedir KHASHALOV (Ukraine).



2012 IFBB World Cup men’s fitness open category medal winners (from L to R): Hesam SAFIRI (2nd place); Fedir KHASHALOV (1st place); Turgay ATES (3rd place).



Fedir KHASHALOV in his routine.


BODYFITNESS UP TO 163 CM CATEGORY:



2012 IFBB World Cup bodyfitness up to 163 cm category winner: Olga MUNTIAN (Ukraine).



2012 IFBB World Cup bodyfitness up to 163 cm category medal winners (from L to R): Carina ISAKSSON (2nd place); Helene AHLSON (1st place); Renata MARCINKUTE (3rd place).



Helene AHLSON during her T-walking presentation.

BODYFITNESS OVER 163 CM CATEGORY:



2012 IFBB World Cup bodyfitness over 163 cm category winner: Tetiana MIKHEYCHYK (Ukraine).



2012 IFBB World Cup bodyfitness over 163 cm category medal winners (from L to R): Katarzyna KOZAKIEWICZ-KOWALIK (2nd place); Tetiana MIKHEYCHYK (1st place); Olga KARAVAYEVA (3rd place).



Tetiana MIKHEYCHYK during her T-walking presentation.

BODYFITNESS OVERALL CATEGORY:



2012 IFBB World Cup bodyfitness overall winner Tetiana MIKHEYCHYK (Ukraine) with IFBB President Dr. Rafael SANTONIA.



2012 IFBB World Cup bodyfitness overall winner Tetiana MIKHEYCHYK (Ukraine).



Bodyfitness overall battle: Tetiana MIKHEYCHYK (left) vs. Helene AHLSON.



BODYBUILDING OPEN CATEGORY



2012 IFBB World Cup men’s bodybuilding open category winner: Mehdi HATAMI (Iran).



2012 IFBB World Cup men’s bodybuilding open category winners (from L to R): Hamdullah AYKUTLU (2nd place); Mehdi HATAMI (1st place); Mahmut IRMAK (3rd place).



Men’s bodybuilding comparisons (from L): Arvydas MICKUS (4th place); Hamdullah AYKUTLU (2nd place); Mahmut IRMAK (3rd place); Mehdi HATAMI (1st place).



Men’s bodybuilding comparisons (from L): Hamdullah AYKUTLU (2nd place); Mahmut IRMAK (3rd place); Mehdi HATAMI (1st place).



Men’s bodybuilding comparisons (from L): Hamdullah AYKUTLU (2nd place); Mahmut IRMAK (3rd place); Mehdi HATAMI (1st place).

WOMEN’S ATHLETIC FITNESS OPEN CATEGORY:



Women’s athletic fitness open category winner: Kader SÜLEYMANOGLU (Turkey).


MEN’S ATHLETIC FITNESS OPEN CATEGORY:



Men’s athletic fitness open category winners (from L to R): Ensar KAZANOGLU (2nd place); Kristian SEWEN (1st place); Fedir KHASHALOV (3rd place).



Men’s athletic fitness open category winner: Kristian SEWEN (Sweden).


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