Page 47 - BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020

“Athletes from 60 countries attended
the present edition”

“Nearly 100.000 viewers from all 5
continents followed the event via
streaming”

“Keivan Gomanian (Sweden) and
Taysir Al Khalfan (Saudi Arabia),
starred in a breathtaking duel for the
Bodybuilding title”
pThe president of the Saudi Arabian Bodybuilding federation, Mr. Osama
Romaithan (centre) travelled to Spain to support the Saudi athletes in their return “Japan makes history and claims all
to Europe for an IFBB World Championships. In the image: together with Dr.
Rafael Santonja and several members and officials. the Men’s Physique titles”

A leading example in passion ollowing the athletes -an absolute
for sports and Bodybuilding: success of the record- from over 60
Japan’s Toshisuke Kanazawa
was the competition’s most 2018 edition, the countries from all 5
veteran athlete. At nearly 84, he impressive continents, the IFBB World
received unanimous recognition
from fellow athletes and officials, FConference Master Championships took
and his routine received tens Centre of Tarragona was place in a context of gradual
of thousands of visits on social once again host to the IFBB integration into Olympism.
media. In this photo: alongside
President Santonja.u World Master Talking strictly sports,
Championships (a the competition featured
competition that will be disciplines Classic Physique
moved to Turkey in 2020), and Wellness for the first
exceeding the previous time around, contributing to
edition both in numbers of consolidate their
contestants and in importance as preferred
showiness. disciplines among the
As President Santonja athletes. Russia dominated
himself declared before through its impressive team
nearly 100.000 viewers who of 38 athletes, the largest by
were following the event numbers, making best team
live on streaming on the 7th ahead of Spain with its 23
of 8th December: veteran athletes, who gave up their
athletes represent the 2018 title and came in
t At 64,
Turkey’s Kamer advantages of Bodybuilding second, thus asserting
Pierssens and Fitness disciplines as a themselves as the best
was the most healthy lifestyle alternative Master team of the decade.
veteran female
athlete. Her better than anyone else, and Poland, with its 28 athletes,
excellent looks they are a growing renewed their bronze medal
were rewarded collective in a society much and Italy, with a team of 34
with an ovation
from both her in need of role models, as is athletes, came in 4th before
rivals and the ours. Through events like Gerrmany (26 athletes) and
audience.
this one, the IFBB has France (33 athletes), to
become a representative of complete the Top 6 of the
these role models. With an 2019 IFBB World Master
attendance of over 400 Championships.

t A total of 15
athletes didn’t
make the cut
for Classic
Physique. Instead,
an additional
Bodybuilding
category was set
up, which was
won by Poland’s
Mariusz Balazinski,
with Spain’s
Ricardo Vera
th
coming in 4 .

46 2019/2020 BOOK OF THE YEAR