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Joan Liew is first Singaporean bodybuilder to earn IFBB Pro card

SINGAPORE — The local bodybuilding fraternity celebrated a historic achievement on Monday (Jan 23), with veteran Joan Liew becoming the first Singaporean to be awarded the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro Card.

Alex Betts, President of SFBF / IFBB Singapore and veteran bodybuilder Joan Liew. Photo courtesy of SFBF

Alex Betts, President of SFBF / IFBB Singapore and veteran bodybuilder Joan Liew. Photo courtesy of SFBF

SINGAPORE — The local bodybuilding fraternity celebrated a historic achievement on Monday (Jan 23), with veteran Joan Liew becoming the first Singaporean to be awarded the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro Card.

The prestigious IFBB Pro card will allow Liew to compete at professional-level competitions and win cash prizes in what is regarded as the most competitive bodybuilding federation in the business. The 40-year-old was handed the honour after winning titles at the 2014 Arnold Classic Sports Festival and 2016 Arnold Classic Asia in United States and Hong Kong, respectively.

The IFBB is the international professional sports governing body for bodybuilding and fitness, overseeing many of the sport’s major events — including the Joe Weider’s Olympic Weekend in Las Vegas, which sees the world’s best competing for the title of Mr or Miss Olympia.

Liew, who started competing in 2000 and has won 15 medals in as many shows in her career, said the Pro card was the result of decades of hard work in her sport.

“It has been 24 years of hard work, and I am truly happy that I have finally achieved my dream,” said the four-time Asian champion.

“Being an IFBB Pro is a new beginning for me. It’s another journey with a new playing field, as I will now compete with the world’s best athletes.”

Alex Betts, president of the Singapore Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (SFBF), called Liew’s achievement a “massive feat” for the sport here.

“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,” said Betts.

“It takes many years of training and dieting to reach this level in the sport. We hope to see Joan go all the way, carry the flag of Singapore on the Olympia Stage and truly make her mark on the sport and make Singapore proud.”

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