RULES over pro cards continue to cause confusion across bodybuilding.
Adam Hickey was awarded a NABBA Pro card after winning Class 3 at the British Finals on June 1.
But he was allowed to continue as an amateur at the NABBA Universe on Sunday, November 3, where he won the Class 3 category.
It is understood the ruling is because NABBA do not recognise an athlete as a professional until they have competed in a pro show. There are no pro shows until the Universe.
So after winning the amateur Universe Class 3, Hickey went on to compete in the men's pro division. He won the overall title, following in the footsteps of the great Arnold Schwarzenegger.
One athlete who won his NABBA Pro card at the England show on October 13, however, was not allowed to compete.
This is because he re-won his IFBB Pro federation pro card at the BPA Super Show on October 26. He was told by the IFBB Pro that if he competed at the NABBA Pro Universe he would have that professional status cancelled. They had already cancelled the IFBB Pro card he won at the UKBFF British Finals because he went on to compete at the NABBA England.
Hickey also won his IFBB Pro federation pro card at the BPA Super Show but chose not to register it. It is understood that NABBA do not recognise athletes with IFBB Pro federation professional status. But they do recognise those with an IFBB Pro League card.
The BPA told competitors arriving to register at their Super Show on October 25 that they could no longer compete as amateurs if they won an IFBB Pro Card at their British Finals. This despite the fact that none of those competitors had registered to be a professional.
Gavin Morris, who won his NABBA Pro status in the Classic Physique division at the British Finals, was the only competitor in the Classic Pro Division at the Universe.
He reported that he almost came away without even being given a trophy after NABBA told him they 'don't normally award trophies in classes with fewer than three competitors'.
Fortunately for him, NABBA saw common sense and rightly awarded him a trophy.
But frontdouble has since learnt that NABBA refused to award him the prize money that was promised.
So the question is, where is that prize money now?
NABBA Universe winners here.
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