KING
JAMES II
DOUBLE BRITISH
CHAMPION JAMES
WATTS IS GUNNING
FOR VICTORY AT THIS
MONTH’S ENGLISH
GRAND PRIX.Britain’s biggest show of the
summer, the English Grand Prix,
takes place this month and one
man worth keeping an eye on is
James Watts, who is rapidly
emerging as one of the country’s
best bodybuilders.
Watts became British light-
heavyweight champion in
Nottingham last year to complete
the rare distinction of winning
national titles in two different
weights. He took the
middleweight crown in 2014
before stepping up in weight. In
between those victories he won
the English Grand Prix in 2015 and
he’s hoping to double up at that
event on June 4 and in the
process book a place at the
Arnold Classic Europe and the
Diamond Cup.
Last year Watts finished
second at the grand prix after a
short five-week prep following a
hernia. He’s keen to make
amends, but isn’t the kind of guy
to big himself up. “Of course I
train to win but it’s a very
personal thing,” he says. “I train
and compete against myself,
always trying to bring a better
me. Sometimes I do and
sometimes I don’t.”
Watts finished seventh in his
last outing at the 2016 season-
ending Diamond Cup.
Disappointed? Not at all. “I could
see improvements in my
physique, so although my placing
was lower it was still a personal
victory as I was better.”
Watts’ victory in Nottingham
last year struck a blow forJames Watts
winning his
first national
title in 2014.aesthetics—he’s no mass monster
but he can hit a mean vacuum
pose and has pleasing
proportions. With a busy second
half of the year looming, it’s now
all about the diet. “It can be tough
peaking for several shows,” he
says. “My plan is to peak for thegrand prix and then take some
time out and fill out a bit and add a
few extra pounds and then rein it
in again. I came from nowhere
with nobody knowing my name to
winning two British titles...I
consider myself blessed every
time I step on stage.”FLEXONLINE.COM 137MATT MARSH
BY JOHN PLUMMER