Vitality ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov to compete with the NPC in 2022.
Popular Russian amateur bodybuilder Vitality ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov has just confirmed that he will be competing with the NPC in 2022.
Since the split between the IFBB and the NPC in 2017, a number of international athletes were caught in the middle of a growing battle between the powerful IFBB run by Dr. Rafael Santonja and the NPC, the former IFBB affiliate run by Jim Manion.
A number of athletes decided to compete with the IFBB Elite Pro, the newly formed pro division created by the IFBB, while others remained to stay with the NPC/Pro League.
Jim Manion managed keep the major competitions affiliated with the NPC/Pro League, such as the Mr. Olympia, New York Pro and Arnold Classic USA, while Rafael Santonja started the IFBB Elite Pro, including the IFBB Elite Pro World Championships, Pro Universe, Arnold Classic Europe and Africa, plus many others.
While some athletes such as Michal Križo Križánek gained a lot of popularity with the IFBB Elite Pro, some have decided to compete as amateurs within the IFBB, and then make the switch to the NPC.
It has just been announced by Vitality ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov that he will be competing withing the NPC in 2022.
Contrary to what a number of other media sites are publishing, Good Vito has never competed as pro bodybuilder within the IFBB Elite Pro, he remained an amateur and only competed in Russia.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net have confirmed with Eastlabs.sk that Good Vito has remained an amateur within the IFBB.
The majority of press, especially from the United States, fail to explain the difference between the IFBB and IFBB Elite Pro. The IFBB, the federation created by Ben and Joe Weider and now governed by Dr Rafael Santonja, is an amateur federation. The IFBB Elite Pro, is the pro division, affiliated with the IFBB.
The NPC worked in the same way. The NPC is the amateur division, while the Pro League is the pro division affiliated with the NPC.
Good Vito does not have to relinquish his Elite Pro card to compete as an amateur within the NPC becuase he never competed as a pro.
Vito might have been eligible to compete as a IFBB Elite Pro, but he never did.
Good Vito has just won the Russian Championship title in the 100kg category, but finished third for the overall title.
Never competing at the IFBB World Amateur Championships or any other major International IFBB amateur competition, Good Vito has never competed against the best international athletes in his young career.
Breaking the Russian curse
Good Vito will not be the first Russian bodybuilder trying his luck within the NPC, neither will he be the last.
Within the amateur divisions, especially at the IFBB, Russian bodybuilders have great success, winning every major title.
The same cannot be said for Russian bodybuilders within the NPC/Pro League. Since the split between the IFBB and the NPC, more Russian talent have been seen on the Pro League stage, but none with great success.
One of the last Russian stars to make a name for himself on the Pro League stage was Alexandr Fedorov. Alexandr competed at the Mr. Olympia in 2005, but never placed. His best placing was third at the 2015 Orlando Show of Champions.
Good Vito will be looking to break this curse and qualify for the Mr. Olympia and earn a respectful placing.
Before he can step on the Mr. Olympia stage, the first task for Good Vito will be to earn his NPC Pro Card. This will not be a easy task, as he will have to go up against the best amateurs from all over the world.
With his current physique, it should not be a problem for Good Vito to earn his pro status within the NPC.
The Russian bodybuilders are known for their freakish size, but for some reason, they suffer when it comes to condition.
Praise from fellow athletes
Since his name started to hit the headlines, some of the top names in the industry have praised the young Good Vito.
At a recent expo in Dubai, fitness star Mike O’Hearn praised Good Vito when he saw his incredible physique.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net wish Good Vito the best of luck on his new adventure. Hopefully Good Vito will have success and qualify for the Mr. Olympia in the near future.
