INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Four major international shows this year, including two Arnold Classics, plus a British title and UK Nationals title – all for a £75 two-year membership fee.
If anyone wanders what you can achieve with the UKBFF – and how much it costs – they don't have to look beyond bikini fitness star Lisa-Marie Graham.
Olga Upelniece, seen here winning masters bodyfitness at the British Championships, has also had a memorable year that included top six at the Arnold Classic Europe. PIC CREDT: Kevin Horton
Lisa-Marie, along with Bridget Foster (bikini fitness), Olga Upelniece (bodyfitness), Louis Moylan (classic bodybuilding) and Leticia Vecchi (wellness) will be representing the UK at the IFBB Diamond Cup in Rome this weekend.
The event has 13 IFBB Elite Pro cards up for grabs and also incorporates the €15,000 Classic Physique World Championships.
For Lisa-Marie, it will be her fourth major event in four different countries this year. Her 2018 international resume so far reads:
IFBB European Championships in Spain - 7th
IFBB Arnold Classic Africa in South Africa - 2nd
IFBB World Championships in Poland - 5th
IFBB Diamond Cup in Italy – to be confirmed.
So that's four prestigious events with the world's premier bodybuilding and fitness federation. And because Lisa-Marie won the UK Nationals in April, a WADA-tested event, she had her flights to Spain and Poland and hotel costs paid for by the UKBFF.
Lisa-Marie also won her height class at the British Championships in Nottingham last month but missed out on the overall title to Marta Mila so she has her sights set on winning an IFBB Elite Pro card in Rome.
Whatever happens, she is thrilled with her year of travel and top quality competition.
“Competing this year and representing the UKBFF and IFBB has given me incredible opportunities that I never imagined,” she says.
“Without their help and support, both personally and financially, these achievements and experiences would never have been possible.
“I chose to compete with this federation as I feel a real loyalty, not only because of the opportunities I have been given, but for the support I have been shown as an athlete.”
Good luck to Lisa-Marie, Bridget, Olga, Louis and Leticia this weekend.
If you fancy enjoying the same opportunities next year, the Sugar Classic in Leicester on November 18 is a qualifier for the Arnold Classics, and the UK Nationals in April will again be a selection event for paid-for trips to the World and European Championships next year.
These opportunities are exclusively available to UKBFF athletes. When you're thinking of competing, why not look at reality rather than virtual reality?