Tag: Natural Olympia
WATCH: An Inside Look At The Natural Olympia 2021 | Backstage, Posing Routines, & Awards
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A visual deep dive into the Natural Olympia 2021 competition.
November 11-13th, 2021 held the Pinnacle of Natural Bodybuilding – the Natural Olympia. This is the biggest event of the year for the INBA/PNBA natural bodybuilding league. Much like the IFBB Pro’s Mr. Olympia – it showcases the best athletes from across the world who have fought to qualify for this yearly event. With strict WADA drug testing guidelines to ensure that all athletes are natural – this event is the biggest weekend of the year for natural bodybuilders across the world.
Generation Iron was on the ground floor reporting on the event as well as capturing footage with our camera crew. We captured a behind the scenes and on stage look to give a full encapsulation of the event. With 20 divisions across both traditional and masters categories – this is one of the most super-sized bodybuilding events in the world.
You can watch our full behind the scenes look at the event above. Read on to get a full break down on the details of the Natural Olympia 2021. You can also check out our official results from the event right here.
What Defines INBA/PNBA Natural Bodybuilding?
There are many natural bodybuilding leagues – but the INBA/PNBA is certainly the biggest – reaching across the country and having athletes representing over 15 different countries across the globe. While nearly all pro bodybuilding leagues claim to condemn steroids – only certain leagues dedicate themselves to drug testing athletes before every competition. The INBA/PNBA leads in this regard. They use the most technically advanced drug test system (WADA – which is used by the Olympics) to ensure fairness across all athletes and competitions.
How The Drug Testing Works
The INBA/PNBA league uses the most sophisticated and advanced drug testing system in professional sports – the World Anti-Doping Agency (also known as WADA). WADA testing is the same system used for the Olympics every four years – and is known for it’s accuracy and quality.
The INBA/PNBA league uses WADA testing before every major competition. If a pro natural bodybuilder should fail the test, their titles are revoked and they are placed on the INBA/PNBA Wall Of Shame – a virtual list of competitors who have attempted to cheat the competitions and drug tests.
How The Judging Works
The Natural Olympia is a natural show which means that there are some differences from the IFBB shows. The biggest distinction when it comes to judging is the size of the athletes. There is not as much muscle mass for natural athletes as opposed to IFBB competitors, specifically Men’s Open. Despite the difference in size, athletes compete in similar categories.
In the Men’s Physique division, competitors perform bodybuilding poses and a T-walk. The judges have to adjust because the muscle mass is smaller despite the level of conditioning remaining high. Athletes can qualify for the Natural Olympia by competing in one PNBA competition. This has to be a professional show and they do not need to win a specific placing.
The Divisions
While there are a lot of similarities – the INBA/PNBA features a wider array of divisions that might seem familiar but with a slight twist on the typical formula you see in an IFBB Pro show. Below is a quick list of the full divisions (please note that each division also has a masters counterpart for ages 40+.
Men’s Bodybuilding Open
Men’s Classic Physique Open
PNBA Angels
Figure Classic
Men’s Sport Model Open
Women’s Sport Model Open
Women’s Physique Open
Figure Open
Bikini Divas Open
Men’s Physique Open
Women’s Bodybuilding Open
The goal for the INBA/PNBA is to provide as many opportunities for athletes to compete. Whichever physique type goal an athlete might desire there is a division for it – so long as there are enough competitors interested in competing.
Creativity is also rewarded across these divisions. The PNBA Angels must showcase custom made costumes as part of their routines. Other divisions such as the Men’s Classic Physique also usually feature some element of a costume to coincide with the posing routines.
Wrap Up
There’s no doubt that the INBA/PNBA’s Pinnacle Of Natural Bodybuilding Natural Olympia is the biggest natural bodybuilding event on the planet. This year’s showcase was no different – and we were excited to provide a deeper inside look than traditionally seen over the years. You can watch our full recap and behind the scenes look in our GI Exclusive video above.
Natural Bodybuilding Leagues INBA/PNBA Name Generation Iron Official Media Partner
Generation Iron is now the official media partner of the INBA/PNBA.
Generation Iron Brands, the Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA), and the International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA) have agreed to a long-term partnership in which the Generation Iron Network will be the official media outlet for all INBA/PNBA natural bodybuilding events including the Pinnacle of Natural Sports The Natural Olympia competition. Over 60 countries are affiliated and represent the INBA/PNBA.
The Generation Iron Network first launched in 2013 alongside the release of the feature film – Generation Iron. It has since grown and expanded to be the number one media outlet for all things bodybuilding, fitness, and strength sports. Providing not only news coverage but also informative training/nutrition guides and exclusive video interviews with top fitness athletes.
Under this new partnership, Generation Iron Network will be the official news hub for all officially sanctioned INBA/PNBA pro natural bodybuilding events as well as featured athlete profiles, exclusive interviews, and qualification standings. This also includes the Pinnacle of Natural Sports The Natural Olympia competition – the biggest natural bodybuilding event of the year.
Athletes represent at least 30 different countries at the Natural Olympia with the winner’s natural anthem played during the gold medal ceremony. The Natural Olympia awards payouts of up to $100,000 in cash and prizes. Over the course of the decade, the INBA/PNBA has awarded five new cars (2011-2015) and Gains In Bulk has sponsored six Harley Davidson prizes (2016-2021). You can visit the official Natural Bodybuilding website for more information.
Generation Iron Network will build strategic media campaigns to bring pro natural bodybuilding event coverage directly to viewers across the world. The company will utilize its expansive media presence and its global digital subscriber base to introduce a deeper understanding of pro natural bodybuilding events and athletes directly to viewers.
Generation Iron Network previously explored the world of pro natural bodybuilding and the INBA/PNBA in the feature film documentary Generation Iron: Natty 4 Life. The film highlighted star athletes such as Rob Terry, Philip Ricardo Jr., and Adrian Pietrariu.
Generation Iron Network continues to expand and grow its coverage for bodybuilding, fitness, and strength sports. This partnership will be a great addition for both the pro natural bodybuilding and general fitness community as both will work together to bring pro natural bodybuilding coverage to the mainstream.
“Generation Iron is thrilled to join forces with the INBA/PNBA organization,” stated Generation Iron partner Edwin Mejia Jr. He continued:
“The INBA/PNBA has been the world’s leading Natural Bodybuilding organization. The Natural Olympia has continued to evolve under Denny Kakos and now reaches over 60 countries. We look forward to covering the Natural Olympia and develop engaging programming their athletes.”
Generation Iron Network will remain editorially independent and will not have any restrictions on news or reports related to the INBA/PNBA.
2021 Natural Olympia Preview: Competitors To Watch
Here is a preview of the upcoming 2021 Natural Olympia.
The 2021 Natural Olympia has arrived. The competition will take place from Nov. 11-14 at the Golden Nuggets Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Competitors will be battling for up to $100,000 in cash and prizes.
This is a natural show which means that there are some differences from the IFBB shows. The biggest distinction when it comes to judging is the size of the athletes. There is not as much muscle mass for natural athletes as opposed to IFBB competitors, specifically Men’s Open. Despite the difference in size, athletes compete in similar categories.
In the Men’s Physique division, competitors perform bodybuilding poses and a T-walk. The judges have to adjust because the muscle mass is smaller despite the level of conditioning remaining high. Athletes can qualify for the Natural Olympia by competing in one PNBA competition. This has to be a professional show and they do not need to win a specific placing.
The Men’s Open division is the highlight of the show and Philip Ricardo Jr. is one of the competitors to watch heading into the competition. He won the 2019 Natural Olympia title and will look to bring his title back this year. Ricardo Jr. recently finished fourth at the Mr. America 2021 competition and he believes this will help him during the Natural Olympia.
Ricardo Jr. recently took part in an exclusive interview with Generation Iron. He plained that it was a last-minute decision to enter Mr. America. Despite his fourth-place finish, Ricardo Jr. believes this was an effective strategy in preparing for the Natural Olympia. Ricardo Jr. will be one of the favorites to win the competition, especially with defending champion Meshack Ochieng not taking place during the event.
The Men’s Physique division will have no shortage of champions. The gold medal winners from the previous four years will be back on stage competing against each other. Jon Tsui is the defending champion and will have a chance to make it two in a row. Back in July, Tsui was named as an INBA PNBA Natural Bodybuilding Hall of Fame inductee.
Joseph Ortiz will also return to the stage, along with the 2018 champion Colin Congo. William Long won Men’s Physique at the Natural Olympia in 2017 and he is the fourth gold-medal winner that will be present. This makes for an exciting competition in this division.
The intrigue of a natural bodybuilding show is to see the physique of athletes in a different way than the IFBB. With the athletes set to make an appearance, the show in Las Vegas should be another great one as natural bodybuilding continues to grow.
This is a sport that has been growing in recent years and it is because of competitions such as this one. It began with the Mr. America show and will continue at the Natural Olympia.
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