Australia-bodybuilding.com

We have compiled names, photos and a touch of information on the new male IFBB pro bodybuilders who were granted pro status throughout 2008. They come from Australia, Britain, Caribbean, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Quatar, United States. The female divisions produced many more pros, so we will have the new female pros of 2008 up in a few days. Please click all photos to enlarge:

Spain: Manual Manchado was awarded IFBB pro card after an overall win at 2008 European Men’s Championships:

Sweden: Originally from Iraq, Ahmad Ahmad now resides in Sweden and was granted IFBB pro status after winning the Swedish National Championships multiple times, as well as winning the Loaded Cup, silver medal on European Championships and the 2008 NPC Los Angeles Championships.

New Zealand: Mike Debenham was awarded an IFBB pro card after winning the overall New Zealand national championships. For more on Mike see his profile

New Zealand: 23 year old Grant Pieterse was awarded his pro card after multiple wins in the NZFBB, for more on Grant see his profile.

Australia: The only Australian to turn IFBB pro in 2008, Con Demetriou picked up his pro card in March 2008 after numerous Australian National wins. For extensive info on Con including bio, contest history, photos, wallpapers, videos, training and more please see his profile on our site.

Canada: Three new Canadian IFBB pros Greggory Ulysse, Ben Pakulski and Mboya Edwards from the 2008 CBBF Canadian Bodybuilding Championships held in Montreal on Sept. 6, 2008.

Canada: Marc Lavoie won the over 40 division and overall at the NPC North Americans, which is open to Canadians, Americans and Mexicans. Since he won the overall and the over 40 division [both of which qualify you for pro status] he effectively won his pro card twice. Normally the North Americans will result in three new male pros, but since Marc ‘won two cards’ there were only two pros produced.

Quatar: Ali Tabrizi won the IFBB World Amatuer Championships in November 2008 and would be eligible for pro status, however it seems unclear whether he actually intends to accept it. As he is eligible, we list him despite it being unconfirmed if he is an IFBB pro or not.

Britain: James Llewellyn won the middleweight and overall of the UKBBF British Championships and was awarded pro status.

USA: A veteran bodybuilder known for his classic posing, Vinny Galanti of New Jersey won the Masters [over 40] overall at the NPC Masters Nationals which were held on July 18 & 19, 2008 in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

USA: Gus Carter was awarded the 2nd pro card in the Masters Class at the NPC Masters Nationals which were held on July 18 & 19, 2008 in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Gus is 5ft 7″ and competes at around 215lbs [ 98kg]

USA: Bill Scarnaty won the over 50 class to achieve pro status at the NPC Masters Nationals which were held on July 18 & 19, 2008 in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Bill is 5ft 8″ and competes at around 200lbs [ 91kg]

USA: The NPC USA Nationals were held on July 25 – 26 in Las Vegas. There were over 250 entrants and 9 pro cards were awarded between all 4 divisions. Brandon Curry beat 17 competitors to win the overall mens bodybuilding to become an IFBB pro. Brandon is from Tennessee, and started training in 2003. Fairly young for a new pro he is in his mid twenties. At 5ft 7.5″ he competes at around 220lbs [100kg]

USA: Curtis Bryant beat 19 bodybuilders to win the light heavyweight class of the NPC USA nationals and was awarded the 2nd pro card at the USA Nationals held on July 25 – 26 in Las Vegas. He is 40 years old, 5ft 5″ and competes at around 200lbs [91kg]

USA: Scott Foster won the bantamweight class of the NPC Nationals held on Nov. 21 - 22 in Atlanta, GA, USA. A total of seven cards were awarded to male bodybuilders at this event, and 17 overall.

USA: Peter Putnam won the lightheavyweight class of the NPC Nationals held on Nov. 21 - 22 in Atlanta, GA, USA. A total of seven cards were awarded to male bodybuilders at this event, and 17 overall. Peter is married to IFBB figure pro Jessica Paxson.

USA: Michael Liberatore won the heavyweight class of the NPC Nationals held on Nov. 21 - 22 in Atlanta, GA, USA. A total of seven cards were awarded to male bodybuilders at this event, and 17 overall.

USA: Marvin Ward won the lightweight class of the NPC Nationals held on Nov. 21 - 22 in Atlanta, GA, USA. A total of seven cards were awarded to male bodybuilders at this event, and 17 overall.

USA: Jocelyn Jean won the welterweight class of the NPC Nationals held on Nov. 21 - 22 in Atlanta, GA, USA. A total of seven cards were awarded to male bodybuilders at this event, and 17 overall.

USA: Guy Cisternino won the middleweight class of the NPC Nationals held on Nov. 21 - 22 in Atlanta, GA, USA. A total of seven cards were awarded to male bodybuilders at this event, and 17 overall.

USA: Edward Nunn won the superheavyweight class and overall of the NPC Nationals held on Nov. 21 - 22 in Atlanta, GA, USA. A total of seven cards were awarded to male bodybuilders at this event, and 17 overall.

USA: Tim Martin won the overall title at the Team Universe held in New York on Sept 5 -6 2008, and was awarded the only pro card for male bodybuilding at that event.

 

USA:Dale Hicks won the heavyweight and overall at the NPC North Americans, which is open to Canadians, Americans and Mexicans.

 

Caribbean: The Caribbean jurisdiction would have awarded a pro card to the overall male winner from their CAC Championships in Bahamas, sorry we can’t find out his name, but the photo below is the new Caribbean pro of 2008:

Photos credits to many sources including Bill Comstock, Michael Pinto of Muscular Development, Fitness.de, XNH.com.nz, socalphotographer, Graphicmuscle, Vaughnscriven and others.

We are quite sure of having all the North American, British and Oceanic pros in, but If you know of any new male bodybuilders that were awarded pro status in 2008 please feel free to leave a comment and some info and we will add them!