Natural Bodybuilding News

Dear competitors,
 
Please note the North American Natural Bodybuilding Federation (NANBF) is no longer affiliated with the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF). The NANBF will now serve as an amateur affiliate of the International Fitness & Physique Association (IFPA) pro federation. Fred Rowlett, representative of the NANBF, and Matt Shepley, representative of the Organization of Competitive Bodybuilders (OCB), will now be serving as Co-Chairman of the IFPA.
 
The NANBF joins the United Natural Bodybuilding Association (UNBA), Ohio Natural Bodybuilding Federation (ONBF), and OCB as U.S. affiliates of the IFPA. The BNBF of Great Britain, GMABA of Ghana, ABBCI of Ivory Coast, NBON of Nigeria, and the UBBFA of Uganda are also amateur affiliates of the IFPA.

What this means for pros:

• Competitors who qualified to compete as WNBF pros in past NA NBF competitions have the choice to compete in the WNBF or the IFPA. Note that competitors who have QUALIFIED to compete as pro with any federation will continue to be considered eligible for IFPA pro shows.
• There will be no restrictions included in the IFPA guidelines, such as limiting exposure for pros in outside media, not permitting pros to compete in other organizations, not allowing contest coverage or advertisements in other publications, not allowing pros to work behind the scenes at other federations’ events, etc.
• More IFPA Pro shows to choose from.

2009 IFPA Pro Schedule:
April - Richmond, VA Women’s Bodybuilding Pro Bowl
April 4 - Tarrytown, NY - Men’s Pro
April 17-18 - Liberty, MO - IFPA Liberty Belle Pro Figure
May 16 - Pittsburgh, PA - Pro Figure
June 13 - W. Barnstable, MA - Men’s Pro Masters 40+
July - St. Louis, MO - IFPA Natural Show Me Men’s and Women’s Pro Bodybuilding & Pro Figure
Sept 12 - Johnson County, KS - Men’s and Women’s Pro Bodybuilding & Pro Figure
Sept - Council Bluffs, IA Masters (40+) Men’s & Women’s Pro Bodybuilding & Masters (40+) Pro Figure
Oct 10 - W. Barnstable, MA - IFPA Gaspari Nutrition Pro Classic (Men’s Pro Bodybuilding & Pro Figure)
Nov 14 - Wash., DC - IFPA Yorton Cup Pro International, Men’s and Women’s Pro Bodybuilding & Pro Figure

What this means for amateurs: 

• Coverage of NANBF shows, along with coverage of OCB and IFPA events, will appear in Fitness & Physique Magazine
• Membership with either NANBF or OCB will be valid for both organizations shows. More shows to choose from with the same membership.

2009 NANBF & OCB Amateur Schedule
April - Richmond, VA - OCB Pride of the Atlantic (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
April - Baltimore, MD - OCB Eastern Regional
April - Plymouth, MA - OCB Spirit of America (IFPA Double Pro Qualifier)
April 4 - Tarrytown, NY - OCB Tri-Cities Classic
April 17-18 - Liberty, MO NANBF Natural Southern States Classic (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
May - Woonsocket, RI - OCB Rhode Island Natural
May - Indianapolis, IN - OCB Circle City Championships
May 9 - Des Moines, IA - NANBF Nutri-Sport Central Midwest & Natural Iowa (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
May 9 - Orlando, FL - OCB Southeastern States
May 16 - Bloomington, MN - NANBF Mr./Ms. Natural Minnesota (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
May 16 - Kankakee, IL - NANBF Mr./Ms. Natural Illinois & Great Northern
May 16 - Pittsburgh, PA - OCB Iron City Classic (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
May 30 - Omaha, NE - NANBF Heartland Classic
June Wilmington, DE - OCB Central Eastern Seaboard States
June - Tulsa, OK - NANBF Tulsa Natural
June - Natchez, MS - OCB Natchez Trace Classic
June 6 - Albuquerque, NM - OCB Natural Southwest Classic (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
June 13 - W. Barnstable, MA - OCB Judgment Day
June 20 - Bentonville, AR - NANBF Northwest Arkansas Natural
July - Newburyport, MA - OCB Natural Yankee Classic
July 11 - St. Louis, MO - NANBF St. Louis Natural Classic (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
July 11 - Norfolk, NE - NANBF The Max Classic
August - Washington, DC - OCB Presidential Cup (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
Aug 29 - Tempe, AZ - OCB Arizona Natural (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
Aug 29 - Trenton, NJ - OCB Mid-Atlantic Classic ( IFPA Pro Qualifier)
September - Pittsburgh, PA - OCB Steel City (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
September - Council Bluffs, IA - NANBF Bluffs Classic (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
September - Indianapolis, IN - OCB Natural Indiana (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
Sept 12 - Los Alamos, NM - OCB Southern Rockies Natural
Sept 12 - Johnson County, KS - NANBF KC Gold’s Classic (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
Sept 26 - Scarborough, ME - OCB Maine Event
October - O’Fallon, MO - NANBF St. Louis Gateway Naturals (IFPA Pro Figure Qualifier)
October - Baltimore, MD - OCB Charm City Classic (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
October - Chestnut Ridge, NY - OCB Hudson River Classic
October - Bentonville, AR - NANBF Arkansas Tri-City Classic
Oct 3 - Dover, DE - OCB Tri-State Fall Classic
Oct 10 - Bloomsburg, PA - OCB Bloomsburg Natural
Oct 10 - W. Barnstable, MA - OCB Cape Cod Natural (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
Oct 17 - Elk River, MN - NANBF Northern States Natural Classic
Oct 24 - Cedar Rapids, IA - NANBF Best of the Midwest
Oct 24 - University Park, IL - NANBF Natural USA (IFPA Super Pro Qualifier) & NANBF Great Lakes Supernatural Muscle Classic
Oct 31 - Pittsburgh, PA - OCB Battle for the Swords (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
Nov 7 - Syracuse, NY - OCB New York State Natural (IFPA Pro Qualifier)
Nov 14 - Washington, DC - OCB Yorton Cup Nationals (IFPA Double Pro Qualifier) & OCB Stars & Stripes Novice