Heading into the summer and just coming off a successful Toronto Pro SuperShow , the momentum of contests across Canada is building for a great 2nd half of the year .
In this message I wanted to report on the Toronto Pro Show and Toronto Pro Qualifier . Just like last year , those who competed at the Toronto Pro Qualifier on June 4 , 2022 and won their Pro Cards could compete the very next day as an IFBB Pro . Many elected to do this , competing in their Pro debut at the Toronto Pro Show . One of these new IFBB Pro competitors from Quebec , Woody Belfort , Men ’ s Wheelchair Bodybuilding won the Toronto Pro Show title , qualifying him to compete at the 2022 Olympia in Las Vegas . Once again dreams of going to The Olympia were achieved .
We were very fortunate to have seven experienced IFBB Pro Judges four from Canada and three from the US at this event . I had an opportunity to have a conversation with the Head Judge and VP of NPC Worldwide and IFBB Pro League - Tyler Manion . The commitment and respect he has for all competitors on the amateur and pro stage was clearly witnessed by me . While speaking to Tyler just after the contest , a pro bikini competitor asked Tyler what she needed to improve to get into that winning circle . Although Tyler remembered this athlete on stage , he also immediately pulled out his personal score sheet where he had written notes and explained to her in detail her strengths and weaknesses . In fact he had written notes for all the competitors in the contest . Later that evening we had a conversation regarding judging in general . He felt as a head judge and judge it was important for the competitors who have worked hard to compete receive the same kind of commitment from the judges . In his opinion regardless where you place it should be accurate and if asked why and what to do to improve , the judges should provide competitors the feedback they deserve .
Leading by example has always been my policy and witnessing this kind of effort by our Head Judge at the Toronto Pro Show and Toronto Pro Qualifier was evidence of the high standard set by Tyler . The responsibility of a judge just does not end with the judging , it includes documenting the strengths and weaknesses of these competitors , as Tyler did with his notes to ensure the accuracy of the critiques that will help athletes improve .
We have come a long way in terms of transparency within the sport . We pride ourselves on the credibility and experience of our judging panel which is really the foundation of all respected sports . Ours is no different and as I mentioned at the beginning dreams can come true . Regardless of your goals , the journey to that end is really the reward for all who put the effort into it .