By John Plummer // Photography by Matt Marsh
Nina Ross became the first woman to win two British titles when she defeated defending champion Melissa Haywood in the tall bikini fitness class on the opening day of the national finals in Harrogate.
Ross, last year’s bodyfitness champion, shrieked with delight when it was announced she had beaten close friend Haywood.
She only choose to change categories a few weeks ago and her softer looked, combined with her sublime shape, wowed the judges in a class boasting about 40 competitors.
Anita Bekus, runner-up last year, beat fellow international competitor Nikki Jenkins for the short bikini title.
Eszter Pati got a little leaner this year to show her amazing genetics to best effect and was rewarded with the tall bodyfitness title.
Slovakian-born personal trainer Karolina Botkova was an equally stunning champion in the short class. This woman has huge potential.
Arguably the story of the day was Irina Cotton winning her fourth British fitness title one month before her 54th birthday.
Cotton suffered a serious ankle injury seven months ago yet here she was beating defending champion Cee Oliver for first place. Cotton remains undefeated in the UK.