6 FLEX| JUNE 2016
CHRISTOPHER BAILEYFROM THE EDITOR BY JOHN PLUMMER
■ FLEX focuses primarily on
bodybuilding rather than men’s
physique, but we have to start this
month by paying tribute to Ryan
Terry’s extraordinary achievement
RULE
BRITANNIA
in winning the Arnold Classic in
America.
After the Olympia, the Arnold is
the most prestigious bodybuilding
contest in the world. For years, theUK’s leading competitors have set
their sights on getting on stage in
Columbus, Ohio, and perhaps
meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger.
But most fly in hope rather than
expectation: no British pro and
only one amateur have ever won at
the Classic before this year.
Since 2011, when Europe
became the first continent outside
America to host an Arnold Classic,
our carb-depleted athletes have
increasingly preferred the two-
hour trip to Spain rather than a
long-haul midwinter flight to
Columbus.
In September, more than 200
Brits competed in Barcelona at the
Arnold Classic Europe. In March,
just six flew to Columbus. So what
happened over there was
remarkable, as Ryan followed up
his second place at last year’s
Men’s Physique Olympia with
victory to become the first British
pro champion at any Arnold event
in the world.
It’s difficult to think of a more
deserving champion—Ryan
combines model looks,
outstanding symmetry, and an
unbeatable midsection with a
humble and likeable personality,
which makes him the ideal
ambassador for men’s physique.
He’s now Britain’s second global
muscle superstar, along with
Olympia 212 Showdown champ
Flex Lewis.
Congratulations, too, to fitness
competitor Kate Errington, who
won gold at the amateur Arnold. In
doing so, Kate became only our
secondsecond amateur Arnold champion second amateur Arnold champion second amateur Arnold champion second amateur Arnold champion amateurArnoldchampion
in America after bodybuilding in America after bodybuilding
barrister Maria Scotland took barrister Maria Scotland took
Masters Figure in 2014. Kate is a Masters Figure in 2014. Kate is a
human dynamo that somehow human dynamo that somehow
finds time to train and diet, as well finds time to train and diet, as well
as work as a dancer, fire-eater, as work as a dancer, fire-eater,
stilt walker...you name it. Last year, stilt walker...you name it. Last year,
she switched from Bikini Fitness to she switched from Bikini Fitness to
Fitness and finished second at the Fitness and finished second at the
British Championships. Five British Championships. Five
months later, she was shaking months later, she was shaking
hands with Arnold and receiving hands with Arnold and receiving
the winner’s trophy in Columbus. the winner’s trophy in Columbus.
It was a great start to the It was a great start to the
competitive year, which is now in competitivecompetitive year, which is now in competitive year, which is now in competitive year, which is now in competitive year, which is now in competitive year, which is now in y e a r,whichisnowin
full swing with the English Grand
Prix and the Scottish
Championships among this
month’s contest highlights. For a
full retrospective of how the Brits
fared in America, turn to Last Set.CONGRATULATIONS TO RYAN TERRY ON
BECOMING THE FIRST BRITISH PRO TO WIN AN
ARNOLD CLASSIC.
Not bad
for a lad from
Worksop. Arnold
Schwarzenegger
congratulates Ryan
Terry on his victory
in Columbus.