First Ever Singaporean to be Awarded with an IFBB Pro Card
Joan Liew has finally been awarded her IFBB Pro Card after having won Gold Medals in the Women’s Physique (Tall Category) at the Arnold Classic Sports Festival 2014 in Columbus Ohio, USA and more recently the Women’s Physique (Open Category) at the Arnold Classic Asia 2016 in Hong Kong.
Joan is no stranger to success in the sport of Fitness and Bodybuilding and has been working tirelessly for 24 years to earn her Pro Card (Professional Card) with the IFBB. She has competed since 2000 and has won 15 medals in 15 shows over the years.
“We are very happy and proud of Joan Liew for being the FIRST ever Singaporean to be awarded with a prestigious IFBB Pro Card. This is a massive feat as this is what every serious bodybuilder aspires to achieve in the sport.”
“The IFBB Pro Card is extremely competitive and in order to earn this accolade, one must be able to BEAT THE VERY BEST IN THE WORLD at some of the world’s most respected and well known sporting events such as the Arnold Classic Sports Festival, among others.”, explained Alex Betts, President of the Singapore Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (SFBF).
The IFBB Pro card allows Ms. Liew to compete at professional level contests, which often include cash prizes. The IFBB is also the most competitive and toughest Bodybuilding Federation to turn pro in as it offers the possibility of qualifying for the “Superbowl of Bodybuilding and Fitness”, namely Joe Weider’s Olympia Weekend, held annually in Las Vegas, USA.
At this event the very best of the best in the IFBB Professional League fight it out to try and be crowned the next ‘Mr or Miss Olympia’, which is the HIGHEST HONOUR possible in the sport and something every aspiring bodybuilder dreams of.
In Singapore, the Singapore Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (SFBF) is the official IFBB affiliated organisation, which has been sending athletes around the world to represent Singapore since 2011. In order for an athlete to win a Pro Card they must be sent to the competitions by their local IFBB affiliated federation.
“It takes many years of training and dieting to reach this level in the sport. Many on the outside world see the regimen of a bodybuilder very unforgiving and a huge sacrifice, but those who are passionate about the sport and live it day-in and day-out see it more as a lifestyle that they love and embrace.”
“We hope to see Joan go all the way and carry the flag of Singapore on the Olympia Stage and truly make her mark on the sport and make Singapore proud”, continued Mr. Betts.
