IFBB decision on weight classes for women's pro shows

[hans]

I got an e-mail today from Lisa Aukland about the weight classes for women's pro shows. Like Michelle said in another thread, it seems the IFBB is considering going back to having one weight class for all women's pro shows. They are going to decide on it next week, and the women's athlete rep Betty Pariso is asking for feedback from pro female bodybuilders by MONDAY. Here's Betty's email:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE !!

The IFBB professional committee will be voting Monday April 25th on a potential major change to Pro female bodybuilding shows. The vote will be for*an amendment allowing only one weight division in ALL women's Pro shows.

Our FBB Rep, Betty Pariso has ONE committee vote. She respectfully requests all female Pros to forward their thoughts about this amendment directly to her no later than Monday April 25th so she can vote accordingly .

bettypariso@aol.com

[Maxt]

Hans, I think that the potential move to one weight class has to do with not every female bodybuilder that is pro qualified being able to follow through to do the shows. I read Chad Nicholls say that of 33 women who entered the New York Pro Show, only 11 have confirmed to do it. So that changes my mind a little bit. If you are going to have shows, you must have competitors, but it is a perpetuating cycle of cause and effect because a lot of these NPC amateurs want to go pro so badly. Maybe they should give a pro card per class at the USA's and the North Americans? Maybe also some of these IFBB Pro Women should enter the shows, but of course they need more prize money and endorsement incentive. Yes, it is a wicked cycle. We need a master plan, because in the amateur ranks we have awesome female bodybuilding talent and a newer generation. I'm inclined to say I could live with just two classes, but before I committ myself to a firm decision, I'd like to see what other female bodybuilders of any accomplishment level think?

[andre]

The IFBB decided to go back to having one weight class for all women’s professional bodybuilding competitions. This decision will take affect at the 2005 Ms. Olympia competition and at all competitions held thereafter. For women’s professional bodybuilding competitions held between April 26, 2005 and the date of the 2005 Ms. Olympia, the Contest Promoter and Professional Committee will together determine the number of categories open for competition on a case-by-case basis. Concerning the upcoming New York Women’s Professional, there will be two weight classes.

See IFBB ADVISORY NOTICE 2005-003 (www.ifbb.com/ifbbpro/2005news/resolution2005-001.htm) and IFBB ADVISORY NOTICE 2005-002 (www.ifbb.com/ifbbpro/2005news/announcement6.htm)

[eseiple]

Hans, I think that the potential move to one weight class has to do with not every female bodybuilder that is pro qualified being able to follow through to do the shows. I read Chad Nicholls say that of 33 women who entered the New York Pro Show, only 11 have confirmed to do it. So that changes my mind a little bit. If you are going to have shows, you must have competitors, but it is a perpetuating cycle of cause and effect because a lot of these NPC amateurs want to go pro so badly. Maybe they should give a pro card per class at the USA's and the North Americans? Maybe also some of these IFBB Pro Women should enter the shows, but of course they need more prize money and endorsement incentive. Yes, it is a wicked cycle. We need a master plan, because in the amateur ranks we have awesome female bodybuilding talent and a newer generation. I'm inclined to say I could live with just two classes, but before I committ myself to a firm decision, I'd like to see what other female bodybuilders of any accomplishment level think?


I have been saying for a long time that I keep hearing women complain about not getting what the men are getting, but I also look at it that there are not that many women in the shows. I am thinking backwards, now work with me on this and perhaps I am way off base....

I realize the money is not there...BUT......

Say more women in the PRO ranks started to compete....this means that more people would come to the shows obviously, which means better ticket sales which means increased interest which means perhaps more sponsors would have more interest in a show that more women are doing...thats just my thought. I know there are a lot of PRO FBBS out there. I also don't expect them to compete in EVERY SHOW... I also think if they did something like they do for the men, have several shows pretty close to one another so that once you diet down you can hit them all instead of having to diet all year long which is taxing on the body. (The men after the Arnold do several shows back to back) Then leave the O at the end and give the women who qualified earlier in the year time to focus on and get ready for the biggest show of thier life. I realize there are hardly any shows for them to compete in. It would be nice of course to see a womens portion at the same shows the men all compete in as well...more opportunity.

Just an opinion from an aspiring pro to be someday.

[HumanFreakShow300]

...Say more women in the PRO ranks started to compete....this means that more people would come to the shows obviously, which means better ticket sales which means increased interest which means perhaps more sponsors would have more interest in a show that more women are doing...

Exactly! No one with an inkling of business sense would throw alot of money behind something that does not have the support necessary to produce a good Return On Investment (ROI). It's like i have always said, the women that are directly involved really have to take the helm and direct thier futures where they want it to end up. Become more involved (collectively), try to generate more interest, try to get more sponsors and, end up getting paid more.


One.

[Tre]

The NPC (in conjunction with the IFBB) has doubled the number of pro cards available for women in the past few years. During the years when the North Americans were not held, there was 1 card at the USAs, 3 at Nationals, giving you 4 for the year.

Now, there's 1 for the Team Universe, the North Americans, the light-heavyweight class at Nationals, and even 1 for the Masters Nationals. So, with 8 cards on the line, we should see a large influx of new women to the pro ranks this year. If they still decide not to compete, again, no one is forcing them to, but I suspect more shows who've tried to give them a chance will be less likely to do so in the future.

As a fan, that's pretty disappointing, but reality is what it is. *sigh*