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2016 IFBB

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

BENIDORM, SPAIN

By Andrew Michalak / Photos: by Igor Kopcek and EastLabs

ONE OF THE MOST PRODUCTIVE IFBB INTERNATIONAL

CONGRESSES IN THE 21 CENTURY!
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“IFBB introduces a lot of new, attractive concepts”

“New sport divisions: Games Classic Bodybuilding and Wellness Fitness.”
“New Masters classes: 40-44, 45-49, 50-54 and over 55 years.”

“New possibility for amateur athletes to earn money - IFBB Elite World Ranking.”

raditionally, the IFBB Balkan or Central Asian established in Classic Bodybuilding,
annual Congress was Championships) and events. Men’s Physique and Bikini-Fitness,
held in conjunction Among the most interesting awarded to an athlete who won three
with the IFBB World proposals approved by the Congress, overall titles in the Elite Qualifying
Bodybuilding we could see: Series in one year. The prize money
TChampionships, this will be USD 30,000.
time prior to the Championships, on • A new division of Men’s Games Another title, for an athlete, who
Friday, November 4th, 2016. Delegates Classic Bodybuilding is won 3 times his/her category in the
from nearly 60 countries took their introduced, with a bit less Elite Qualifying Series. Prize money:
seats at the Congress hall to deliberate bodyweight limits than in USD 10,000. (Later on this structure
how to develop, improve and promote Classic Bodybuilding and 2 body and awards was slightly modified).
our physique sports and the IFBB height classes: up to 175 cm and The Congress approved 3 levels of
activity. The Congress started in over 175 cm. the IFBB international judges:
unusual way, by presenting a special • A new division of Women’s
award to the IFBB Executive Council Wellness Fitness was introduced, • Level C – less experienced judges
members from Australia, Paul and with 4 body height categories: 158 • Level B – more experienced judges
Carole Graham, who tragically lost cm, 163 cm, 168 cm and +168 cm • Level A – most experienced judges
their son. as well as masters +35 years old.
Then, the Congress approved two • The structure of the Elite World Men’s Physique categories will be
new member-countries: Tonga and Ranking: athletes will compete moved to the World Bodybuilding
Somalia, by which the number of the in the so called “Elite Qualifying Championships (from the World
IFBB-affiliated countries has raised to Events” (around 10 per year) Fitness Championships).
193. There was also a moment to and will be awarded with points, A new structure of the Masters
celebrate the 50th anniversary of the according to the final places, and Men’s Bodybuilding and Masters Men’s
Estonian Federation. the following prize money at the Physique categories was approved:
After the President’s Report, which end of the series:
covered the last year’s IFBB activity, • 40-44 years old
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the dates of the next year (2017) main 1 place USD 15,000 • 45-49 years old
events were announced. Beside the 2 place USD 10,000 • Over 50 years old
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World and Continental 3 place USD 5,000
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Championships, the 2017 IFBB Sport 4 place USD 3,000 The Best Teams Classification:
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Calendar includes 5 Arnold Classic 5 place USD 2,000 there will be no longer A-Team and
Amateur events, Olympia Amateur 6-10 places USD 1,000 B-Team separation. All competitors
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series, IFBB Diamond Cups and Ben from the top 6 in each category will be
Weider Legacy Cups. Also some A new title of the TRIPLE included in the Best Teams
regional championships (like Nordic, CROWNED CHAMPION was Classification.

2016/2017 BOOK OF THE YEAR 223