Djeneba Dosso
LJI Reporter
The International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) hosted the Miami Grand Prix’s fifth edition at the Hyatt Regency from August 16 to 18.
Team Canada was represented by two Gatineau bodybuilders, Lanyck Rouleau and Jo-Annie Fu, who qualified in late May following their performance at the André Maillé Classic Championships in Ottawa. Fu’s first-place title in the Bikini Class A category in Ottawa allowed her to advance to the Miami competition, while Rouleau earned his spot after coming in first place in the All-Categories Classic Bodybuilder and the Junior Classic Bodybuilder categories.
The international competition was a first for the two bodybuilders. The experience allowed each athlete to be noticed on a bigger stage while getting one step closer to obtaining their IFBB Pro Cards (an elite accreditation in the bodybuilding world which allows athletes to pursue a genuine career in bodybuilding by earning income through competitions).
Jo-Annie Fu came in fourth place in the women’s Bikini Class A category, bringing a shining medal home from her first international competition to her club in Aylmer, Florida Fitness. Her coach Ken took to Facebook to congratulate her on Tuesday, stating he was extremely “proud of her accomplishments this season” and pleased that “Florida Fitness was well represented at the Miami Grand Prix” by both athletes. While Rouleau did not place in Miami, his track record this season has been nothing short of impressive and he was named Audience’s Favorite Athlete by the IFBB Quebec-Ontario.
Fu, who also won second place in both the Bikini Novice and Bikini Open categories at a competition in Ottawa just a month ago, is now qualified to compete at CPA Pro Qualifier Shows.
Photo cap: Gatineau bodybuilder Jo-Annie Fu posing with coach Ken and fellow bodybuilder Kim following her win at the André Maillé Classic Championships in Ottawa. (DD) Photo: Courtesy of Florida Fitness Aylmer via Facebook.