All eyes of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness world will once again focus on Abbotsford, as the Vancouver Pro/Am Show and Expo bodybuilding returns to the Abbotsford Arts Centre on July 13 and 14.
Day one features the Vancouver Pro qualifier divisions, with amateurs getting the opportunity to earn IFBB pro cards by winning their respective division.
Day two is the main event, with pro men and women competing to earn their spot on the road to Olympia weekend. This year's Olympia goes from Oct. 10 to 13 in Las Vegas.
The event frequently draws out some of the top names in bodybuilding and this year's show is no exception.
The women's competition will be highlighted by the return of two-tme Vancouver Pro bikini champion Ashley Kaltwasser. She won the Vancouver event in 2018 and last year. Kaltwasser is a three-time Ms. Bikini Oympia, has won 44 IFBB pro shows in her division and is one of the most decorated IFBB pro athletes of all time.
Kaltwasser will be aiming to repeat in the bikini division this year. She has a tremendous social media following with close to 1 million followers on Instagram.
Making a special appearance for fans is fitness division legend Oksana Grishna. The Russian product is not competing, but will be supporting the event and meeting fans.
Grishna is a five-time Ms. Fitness Olympia Champion, a 10-time Arnold Classic Champion, a finalist for America's Got Talent in 2016 and is an established promoter in her native Russia.
The men's open division will have two confirmed heavy hitters in last year's champion Hassan Mostafa and challenger Stan de Longeaux. Mostafa, who lives in Hamilton but was born in Egypt, has three IFBB pro wins. De Longeaux was born in France, but now calls the United States home. He's captured two IFBB pro wins and was top-10 finisher in the Classic Physique division at the Olympia.
The event gets going with prejudging starting at 9 a.m. on July 13, with the finals on day one beginning at 5 p.m. Day two on July 14 gets underway with prejudging at 10 a.m. and the finals for all divisions occurs at 4 p.m.
For ticket details and more information, visit vanproshow.com.