IFBB European Championships – 56 Years of Bodybuilding History
The IFBB European Championships is one of bodybuilding’s most prestigious events, launching the careers of some of the best bodybuilders who graced the bodybuilding stage.
This particular event must not be confused with the other events, organized by promoters using the same name. Former IFBB President, the late Ben Weider, created this event, which continues to be organized by current IFBB President, Dr. Rafael Santonja.
The late Ben Weider organized the first IFBB European Championships in 1968. The event took place in Essen, Germany. Back then, the event had a slightly different name, which was IFBB Mr. Europe. The event used this name from 1968 to 1976.
Between 1968 to 1976, several athletes that would become the best bodybuilders in the history of the sport, competed at this event in their amateur years.
Three bodybuilders that stand out between 1967 and 1976 are Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franco Columbo, and Albert Beckles. These bodybuilders went on to have very successful bodybuilding careers, with both Arnold and Franco going on to win the Mr. Olympia title. Albert Beckles went on to have one of the longest and most successful professional bodybuilding careers.
In 1977, Ben Weider decided to change the name to IFBB European Championships. The event would continue to be organized under this name till today.
The IFBB added the female divisions to the European Championships in 1981, the event took place in London.
The number of athletes registering to compete at this has increased vastly over the years, making this event one of the biggest amateur events in the world.
The IFBB European Championships Continues to Grow
The IFBB European Championships is now a four-day event, with competitions lasting more than 12 hours a day on several occasions. The judges and media have very long days judging and covering this event.
The home for this event is in Santa Susanna, Barcelona Spain, at the Poliesportiu Parc Del Colomer. The event is usually scheduled at the beginning of May each year. The location is just minutes away from several holiday resorts, where all the delegates and athletes spend the week. The IFBB also takes care of all transport to the venue and back to the hotel, with a free shuttle service throughout the day.
As with every other sport in the world, bodybuilding has evolved. The IFBB European Championships is now catering to several other divisions, including the new addition, the IFBB European Fitness Challenge Championships. Every amateur athlete dreams of being awarded the IFBB European Championship title.
The name of the event has slightly changed again, to the IFBB European Fitness & Bodybuilding Championships.
The event is open to all IFBB-affiliated national federations from all over Europe. What about athletes that are not from Europe? That’s not a problem, there is IFBB’s other prestigious event, the IFBB World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships.
Since the split between the IFBB and NPC, the American affiliate of the IFBB, in 2017, many bodybuilding pundits thought this historic event would disappear from the contest calendar, but they were all wrong.
The event not only continued as scheduled every year, but there was a substantial increase in athletes attending, making this event one of the biggest IFBB events of the year.
Every amateur athlete knows what it means to compete at the IFBB European Championships.
A great opportunity to represent your country
What makes the IFBB European Championships special is how the athletes compete. This is not an event, where just any athlete can come and compete, the best amateur athletes either qualify or are selected to represent their country which is affiliated to the IFBB.
Some countries arrive at the event with a team of 50-100 athletes. Every athlete proudly represents their country.
The athlete who either wins their category or the overall title will have the opportunity to move up a level, and compete within the IFBB Elite Pro division.
While many believe every young athlete wants to turn pro, they are mistaken.
If an athlete performs well, and achieves a very good placing, they will be encouraged to move up another level in the amateur ranks. The athlete can compete at the IFBB World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships, or the Arnold Classic Sports Festival.
Several IFBB athletes have had numerous opportunities to compete as professionals, but they decided to remain amateurs and continue to challenge themselves in the very competitive amateur events the IFBB offers.
To learn more about the IFBB, you can either log on to IFBB.com or even read the very detailed 2023 IFBB Book of the Year, that’s available to read online. Issues available are from 2017 to 2023.
Read More: 2024 IFBB European Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships Review
Read More: 2023 IFBB European Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships Review
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