European Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships
EBFF European Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation
By Ingrid Stewart and Jako van der Velde
From 5 to 9 May, the European Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships were organized in Santa Susanna, Spain. The Netherlands was represented in the Wellness, Bikini fitness and Body fitness classes. Under the watchful eye of President Juliette Bergmann, who was at the Pavelló poliesportiu from early in the morning until late at night encouraging the athletes, no fewer than three medals were won.
The delegation consisted of the athletes Johanna Anore, Ruth van Bochove, Ellen Breemans, Fiona van de Hoorn, Yana Pomozybida, Jeanette Solli, Sylwia Wierzbicki and Loïs Wildschut. Present as officials were NBBF president Juliette Bergmann, international jury member Frank van den Boom, women’s national coach Ingrid Stewart and NBBF vice-chairman and international and pro jury member Jako van der Velde.
Despite the relatively small number of athletes, the Dutch team did very well and took twelfth place in the national competition (out of 28). Ellen Breemans came in fourth in the Body fitness category over 168 cm. Jeanette Solli won two medals, a bronze in the wellness category up to 163 cm, and a silver in the open class Junior wellness 21-23 years. Yana Pomozybida won gold in the Bikini Fitness up to 162 cm.
Furthermore, the NBBF has a new international jury member, national coach Ingrid Stewart! To top it all off, at the previous congress, President Juliette Bergmann was honored by IFBB President Rafael Santonja with a very prestigious IFBB honorary lifetime vice president title!
After two difficult years for the fitness and bodybuilding sport in the Netherlands, the NBBF in Santa Susanna showed that it is back, with several contests in the Netherlands and abroad ahead.
Ingrid Stewart attended for the first time as a member of the officials delegation and adds: “This was the first time that I went along as a member of the women’s committee. I hope I was able to help the girls well. We stayed in the athletes’ hotel assigned to us and were fully equipped. As icing on the cake, I also obtained my qualification as an international judge. As for the athletes, they all did their best and showed their best shape on the podium. The entire level of the European Championship was extremely high. On to the next game and hopefully with a team of gentlemen too!”
