THE 2026 VANCOUVER PRO/AM DELIVERS ON EVERY LEVEL
Champions, new professionals, a sold-out two-level expo, and unforgettable moments at River Rock Casino Resort
By Rodney Jang, Editor-in-Chief, Status Fitness Magazine
Official media coverage by Status Fitness Magazine
For one unforgettable weekend, River Rock Casino Resort became the centre of the Canadian bodybuilding and fitness community. Held from July 24 to 26 in Richmond, British Columbia, the 2026 Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo brought together aspiring professionals, established IFBB Pro League champions, Masters competitors, coaches, sponsors, industry leaders and fans from Canada and around the world.
The event combined an international Pro Qualifier with five open professional divisions and five Masters 40+
competitions. The official professional program included Men’s Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini, Wellness, and Fit Model.
For Status Fitness Magazine, the weekend carried special significance. Status Fitness Magazine served as the official media of the Van Pro, with Editor-in-Chief Rodney Jang on-site in full force throughout the event.
Status was not covering the show from a distance. Jang and the Status media team were present throughout River Rock, conducting interviews, speaking with athletes, meeting sponsors, documenting the atmosphere and capturing the reactions of many of the weekend’s winners immediately after they left the stage. The result was more than a collection of scorecards – it was a complete look at the people, performances, partnerships and personalities that made the 2026 Van Pro one of the most significant bodybuilding and fitness weekends in Canada.
A COMPLETE EVENT DESTINATION
River Rock Casino Resort provided an ideal environment for a weekend of this scale.
The competition theatre, accommodations, restaurants, sponsor areas and gathering spaces were all located within the resort. Athletes, coaches, media representatives and spectators could remain connected throughout the weekend instead of travelling between separate hotels and event venues.
The Canadian Physique Alliance listed the River Rock Casino at 8811 River Road in Richmond as the official location, with Michelle Krack serving as promoter. The international Pro Qualifier took place on July 25, followed by the professional show on July 26. That concentrated setting helped the Van Pro feel like a true destination event. Athletes crossed paths in the hotel and sponsor areas. Coaches and competitors met between sessions. Fans had opportunities to interact with professionals outside the formal stage presentation. Sponsors could build direct relationships with athletes, gym owners, trainers and serious fitness consumers. The show continued inside the theatre, but the complete Van Pro experience extended throughout River Rock.
MICHELLE KRACK AND HER TEAM: THE WORK BEHIND THE WEEKEND
A major competition begins long before the first athlete walks onto the stage.
Behind every competition, award presentation, sponsor activation and interview are months of planning, communication, promotion, organization and problem-solving.
At the centre of the 2026 Vancouver Pro/Am was promoter Michelle Krack and her dedicated event team.
The official IFBB Pro League and Canadian Physique Alliance listings both identify Krack as the promoter responsible for the Vancouver professional show and international Pro Qualifier.
The scale of the weekend demonstrated the amount of work required.
The event included:
- An international Pro Qualifier
- Eight IFBB Pro League cards
- Five open professional divisions
- Five Masters 40+ divisions
- Athlete registration and check-ins
- A professional press conference
- Multiple competition sessions
- A sold-out sponsor and exhibitor experience
- Special guest appearances
- Stage entertainment
- Media interviews and content production
Krack and her team managed venue coordination, athlete services, sponsor relationships, production schedules, registration, promotion, backstage operations, judging requirements, guest appearances and the many last-minute challenges that inevitably arise during a large event.
Much of that work happened outside the audience’s view.
When an event runs smoothly, the spotlight remains on the athletes. That is one of the clearest signs of a well-
organized show.
Status Fitness Magazine recognizes Michelle Krack and the complete Van Pro team, including the production staff, athlete coordinators, expediters, volunteers, judges, media personnel, sponsors and backstage crew, for the endless work required to bring the weekend to life.
The athletes delivered the performances, but Krack and her team created the platform on which those
performances could happen.
WENDY FORTINO LEADS THE SHOW AS OFFICIAL EMCEE
A competition involving numerous divisions, athlete introductions, comparisons, special presentations and awards requires a confident and knowledgeable voice to keep everything connected.
At the 2026 Van Pro, Wendy Fortino handled that responsibility with professionalism, energy and genuine respect for the athletes.
Official Van Pro promotion identified Fortino as the event’s official emcee for the professional press conference, Pro Qualifier and IFBB professional show.
Fortino did considerably more than announce names.
She guided the audience through the schedule, introduced divisions, supported transitions between competition segments and helped ensure that important championship moments received the recognition they deserved.
An effective emcee must remain composed while responding to judging decisions, backstage timing, production cues and schedule changes. At the same time, the emcee must keep the audience informed and engaged through many hours of competition.
Fortino achieved that balance. She brought enthusiasm when the show required energy, clarity when information needed to be communicated and professionalism when athletes were receiving some of the most important awards of their careers.
Her work was essential to the rhythm of the weekend.
The competitors created the action onstage. Wendy Fortino helped connect that action into one complete and entertaining show.
OKSANA GRISHINA DELIVERS AN UNFORGETTABLE INTERMISSION PERFORMANCE
The weekend also delivered one of its most memorable moments away from the formal competition.
During the intermission, legendary professional fitness performer Oksana Grishina energized the River Rock theatre with a Michael Jackson-inspired fitness routine.
Grishina blended athletic movement, dance, theatrical presentation, conditioning and physical control into a performance that immediately captured the attention of the audience.
The routine was a reminder that fitness competition is not limited to muscular development and traditional posing.
At its highest level, a fitness routine combines strength, flexibility, timing, coordination, choreography and entertainment. Grishina brought all of those elements together.
The Michael Jackson inspiration performed a familiar and entertaining theme, while Grishina’s athletic ability made the routine uniquely her own.
It also served an important purpose within the flow of the event.
Long competition sessions can include hours of judging, comparisons and awards. A strong intermission performance resets the energy in the theatre while giving athletes and production personnel time to prepare for the next segment.
Grishina did much more than fill time.
She delivered a genuine show highlight.
For several minutes, placements and scorecards gave way to performance and entertainment. The audience responded enthusiastically, and the routine added another memorable dimension to an already packed weekend.
A SOLD-OUT SPONSOR EXPERIENCE ACROSS TWO LEVELS
The stage may have been the competitive centrepiece, but the activity throughout the sponsor and exhibitor areas demonstrated that the Van Pro had become much more than a bodybuilding contest.
According to the event team and Status Fitness Magazine’s on-site coverage, the sponsor and exhibitor inventory was sold out, with participating companies spread across two levels of River Rock Casino Resort.
That two-level footprint created the atmosphere of a complete fitness-industry gathering.
Between competition sessions, athletes, coaches, spectators and industry professionals moved through an active sponsor environment featuring sports nutrition, fitness equipment, apparel, footwear, prepared meals, retail services and athlete-focused products.
The sold-out sponsor presence was important for several reasons.
For athletes, it created opportunities to meet companies and representatives directly.
For spectators, it added another experience beyond watching the stage.
For sponsors, it provided access to a highly targeted audience of competitors, coaches, trainers, gym owners and committed fitness consumers.
For the promoter, the sold-out inventory reflected strong industry confidence in the Van Pro brand and its audience.
MUTANT LEADS AS THE OFFICIAL TITLE SPONSOR
Official Van Pro promotional material identifies MUTANT as the title sponsor of the 2026 Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo.
MUTANT has a long-established identity within hardcore bodybuilding, making the partnership a natural fit for an event featuring aspiring professionals, international IFBB competitors and serious followers of the sport.
The company’s title sponsorship represented more than branding around the theatre.
Major sponsor support helps an event invest in production, athlete services, promotion, staffing, media, staging and the overall spectator experience.
Official Van Pro posts repeatedly recognized MUTANT as the title sponsor or presenting sponsor for the 2026 event.
The partnership connected one of bodybuilding’s most recognizable brands with one of Canada’s most important competitive weekends.
GOLDEN ERA MAKES AN IMPACT AS A CHAMPION SPONSOR
Golden Era was another major presence at River Rock, officially recognized by the Van Pro as a Champion Sponsor.
Golden Era brought a highly visible equipment-focused activation to the weekend and gave athletes and attendees an opportunity to experience commercial fitness equipment firsthand.
As part of Status Fitness Magazine’s official event coverage, Rodney Jang interviewed Amy from Golden Era.
The conversation gave Amy an opportunity to discuss Golden Era’s participation in the event, its connection with the training community and why the company chose to support the Van Pro.
It also helped tell a side of the event story that is often overlooked.
Sponsors should not be treated as logos surrounding the stage. They are companies making a direct investment in the promoter, the athletes, the audience and the continued growth of the competition.
By speaking with Amy, Status allowed Golden Era to explain its involvement directly and helped introduce the
people behind the partnership.
MAJOR FITNESS BRANDS SHOW THEIR SUPPORT
The strength of the sponsor lineup was visible in the number and variety of companies represented throughout the two-level expo.
Key sponsors and participating brands included:
- MUTANT
- Golden Era
- ALLMAX Nutrition
- Body Energy Club
- Reflex
- LARA STAR
- Better Bodies
- Optimum Nutrition
- Ballistics Nutrition
- Stay Fit Meals
These companies were joined by additional exhibitors and event partners that contributed to the atmosphere of the weekend.
Official Van Pro promotion recognized ALLMAX Nutrition and Body Energy Club as supporting sponsors, while Golden Era and Optimum Nutrition were promoted as Champion Sponsors. Better Bodies was also publicly welcomed as part of the 2026 event.
The diversity of the sponsor group was one of the expo’s greatest strengths.
Sports-nutrition companies connected directly with the athletes and consumers using their products. Apparel and footwear brands met an audience deeply connected to training culture. Fitness retailers and equipment companies were able to interact with trainers, competitors and gym owners face to face.
The sponsor area also became an important social hub.
Athletes who had competed against one another could reconnect after leaving the stage. Coaches met company representatives. Fans interacted with brands and personalities they had previously followed only online.
The theatre housed the competition, but the two-level sponsor experience helped turn the Van Pro into a complete industry event.
STAY FIT MEALS BRINGS FLAVOUR TO THE EXPO
Stay Fit Meals added another practical and lifestyle-focused element to the sponsor experience.
During his tour of the expo, Rodney Jang stopped at Stay Fit Meals, personally tried one of the company’s drinks and thoroughly enjoyed it.
That small moment reflected the hands-on nature of Status Fitness Magazine’s coverage.
The Status team did not simply photograph sponsor banners or list company names. Jang spoke with
representatives, experienced products firsthand and helped introduce the businesses supporting the event to the Status audience.
Stay Fit Meals was a natural fit for the weekend.
Competitors, trainers and fitness consumers understand how difficult it can be to maintain a consistent nutrition routine during a busy multi-day event. A company focused on convenient food and beverages addressed a practical need for the people attending the show.
The drink also earned the Editor-in-Chief’s personal approval.
STATUS FITNESS MAGAZINE IN FULL FORCE
Status Fitness Magazine’s role as official media extended throughout the complete weekend.
Editor-in-Chief Rodney Jang led the on-site coverage, conducting interviews with most of the professional winners, Masters champions, leading competitors, sponsors and notable guests.
The objective was not simply to announce who placed first.
It was to give the athletes an opportunity to explain what their performances meant.
Jang spoke with competitors immediately after career-changing results, capturing their reactions while the emotion of the moment was still fresh.
The coverage included interviews with professional winners and leading personalities such as:
- Ashley Kaltwasser
- AJ Ellison
- Chad Owens
- Amy from Golden Era
- Numerous open and Masters champions
- New professionals and leading Pro Qualifier athletes
The interviews explored preparation, competition experiences, future goals, longevity and the personal meaning behind the results.
A scorecard can document a placement.
An interview introduces the person behind it.
ASHLEY KALTWASSER AFTER PROFESSIONAL VICTORY NUMBER 58
One of Status Fitness Magazine’s biggest interviews came immediately following the professional Bikini competition.
Ashley Kaltwasser won the division with a perfect score of three, defeating a strong international lineup and
recording what was widely reported as her 58th IFBB Pro League victory.
Following the win, Kaltwasser was interviewed by Rodney Jang as part of Status Fitness Magazine’s official Van Pro coverage.
The interview captured one of the most accomplished athletes in the sport at another historic point in her career.
Kaltwasser’s longevity is particularly impressive because the Bikini division has continued to evolve. New competitors arrive every season with polished posing, presentation and conditioning, yet she has remained capable of winning against different generations of athletes.
Her Vancouver result was not based on reputation.
The official scorecard gave her a perfect total of three.
Jang’s interview gave Kaltwasser an opportunity to speak about the performance and allowed the Status audience to hear directly from the champion shortly after another milestone victory.
AJ ELLISON: MASTERS CHAMPION AND ONE POINT FROM THE OPEN TITLE
Rodney Jang also interviewed AJ Ellison, who delivered one of the strongest combined performances of the entire weekend.
Ellison won the Masters 40+ Men’s Physique division with a perfect score of three.
He also finished second in the open professional competition, only one judging point behind champion Hossein Karimi. Karimi scored four, while Ellison scored five.
That result demonstrated that Ellison was not simply successful relative to his age division.
He was one point away from winning the complete open professional show.
Jang’s interview highlighted the discipline, experience and consistency required to remain competitive at that level.
Ellison’s performance also reinforced the importance of the Masters divisions. The competitors were not participating in ceremonial categories. Several remained capable of challenging the strongest open professionals at the event.
CHAD OWENS: FROM FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME TO THE IFBB STAGE
Another major Status interview connected professional football and professional physique competition.
Rodney Jang spoke with Chad Owens, a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and an IFBB Men’s
Physique professional.
Owens was inducted as part of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024. During his CFL career, he
became the first professional football player to record at least 3,000 combined yards in three consecutive seasons. He was also a multiple-time CFL All-Star and one of the league’s most productive return specialists.
At the Van Pro, Owens finished eighth in Open Men’s Physique and second behind AJ Ellison in Masters 40+.
His story added a unique dimension to the event.
Owens had already reached the highest level of one professional sport, yet he was willing to begin another
competitive journey, learn a different discipline and test himself against established IFBB professionals.
His conversation with Jang explored the connection between elite football and physique competition: preparation, routine, resilience, attention to detail and the ability to perform under pressure.
Owens’ appearance was bigger than one placement.
It represented a Hall of Fame athlete continuing to challenge himself.
THE PRO QUALIFIER: EIGHT CAREERS CHANGED
The international Pro Qualifier produced eight new IFBB professionals.
The verified 2026 Vancouver pro-card recipients were:
- Men’s Bodybuilding: Taylor Cross
- Men’s Classic Physique: Jack Craddock
- Men’s Physique: Brian Pearson
- Figure: Shannon Taylor
- Bikini: Dorsay Todjar
- Women’s Physique: Hailey Cummings
- Wellness: Cassie Keeping
- Fit Model: Alina Trubina
The official CPA scorecards identify each athlete with the IFBB Pro designation.
Taylor Cross Wins the Bodybuilding Pro Card
Taylor Cross won the Open Super Heavyweight bodybuilding class with a score of three, finishing ahead of Braden Palmer and Robert Blundon.
Cross was officially designated as the bodybuilding pro-card recipient.
Jack Craddock Goes Directly Into the Professional Top Four
Jack Craddock won Classic Physique Open Class D and earned professional status.
He then entered the professional Classic Physique lineup and finished fourth behind Kellen Wilson, Chen Kang and Aiden Caldwell.
Craddock went from amateur competitor to a top-four IFBB professional during the same weekend.
That was one of the event’s most impressive achievements.
Brian Pearson Makes His Professional Debut
Brian Pearson won Men’s Physique Open Class B and earned his IFBB Pro League card.
He immediately entered the professional Men’s Physique event and finished 15th in the 17-athlete field.
Shannon Taylor Wins the Figure Pro Card
Shannon Taylor won Figure Open Class D with a perfect score of three and received the professional designation.
Danielle Foote won Class A, while Hailey Cummings won Class C before earning her professional card in Women’s Physique.
Dorsay Todjar Earns Bikini Professional Status
Dorsay Todjar won Bikini Open Class C with a perfect score of three.
She finished ahead of Lyndsey Brouse, Stephanie Cree-Reeve, Amanda Hartman, Nadiia Klymenko, Leslie Schmok and Kaylee Mahbobi.
Hailey Cummings Shows Impressive Versatility
Hailey Cummings won Women’s Physique Open Class C and earned professional status.
She also competed in Figure and won Open Class C, demonstrating an unusual level of versatility across two separately judged divisions.
Cassie Keeping Advances in Wellness
Cassie Keeping won Wellness Open Class D and earned her professional card ahead of Mariana Pontes.
Keeping then entered the professional Wellness lineup and finished eighth.
Alina Trubina Makes an Immediate Top-Four Debut
Alina Trubina won Fit Model Open Class B and earned professional status.
She then entered the professional Fit Model competition and finished fourth, behind Victoria Schmidt, Lauren Lovato and Petra Mace.
Like Craddock, Trubina proved that she was not merely ready to receive a professional card.
She was ready to compete successfully as a professional.
IFBB PRO CLASSIC PHYSIQUE
Kellen Wilson Wins for Canada
Kellen Wilson delivered a decisive victory in Open Classic Physique, earning a perfect score of three. Chen Kang of China finished second, while Canada’s Aiden Caldwell placed third.
New professional Jack Craddock finished fourth, giving Canada three of the top four positions.
Verified Open Classic Physique Results
1. Kellen Wilson, Canada
2. Chen Kang, China
3. Aiden Caldwell, Canada
4. Jack Craddock, Canada
5. Eddie Chipp, United Kingdom
6. Shin Kodama, Japan
7. Zachary Tyler, United States
8. Cody Amey, Canada
Wilson’s perfect score indicated a clear judging decision.
Kang brought international quality to the runner-up position, while Caldwell secured another podium result for Canada.
Craddock’s fourth-place finish was especially notable because it came immediately after earning his professional card.
IFBB PRO MEN’S PHYSIQUE
Hossein Karimi Wins a One-Point Battle
Men’s Physique produced the closest open decision of the weekend.
Hossein Karimi of Iran won with four points. AJ Ellison finished second with five.
Only one point separated the champion and runner-up.
Verified Open Men’s Physique Results
1. Hossein Karimi, Iran
2. AJ Ellison, United States
3. Gerardo Reyna, Mexico
4. Mario Stewart, United States
5. Smith Jean Pierre, Canada
6. Julio Soares, Brazil
7. Fabian Feber, Germany
8. Chad Owens, United States
9. Keenan Polanco, United States
10. Shane Noel, Canada
11. Ahmad Mustafa, Canada
12. Taylor Wilson, Canada
13. Frankie Arcega, United States
14. Rinaldo Denis, Canada
15. Brian Pearson, United States
16. David Cai, Canada
17. Tony Gallo, Canada
Karimi did enough to secure the victory, but Ellison remained extremely close throughout the judging.
Gerardo Reyna earned Mexico a podium finish, while Smith Jean Pierre was the highest-placing Canadian in fifth.
IFBB PRO BIKINI
Ashley Kaltwasser Extends Her Historic Record
Ashley Kaltwasser won the professional Bikini division with a perfect score of three.
Canada occupied the next three positions, with Jessica Liu second, Emily Beveridge third and Brianna Wilson fourth. Germany’s Sarah Neuheisel completed the top five.
Verified Open Bikini Results
1. Ashley Kaltwasser, United States
2. Jessica Liu, Canada
3. Emily Beveridge, Canada
4. Brianna Wilson, Canada
5. Sarah Neuheisel, Germany
6. Verushqa Andrade, United States
7. Rhoda Allie, Canada
8. Jodie Yuncker, United States
9. Megan D’Ginto, United States
10. Sammy Jo Childers, United States
11. Sian Bennett, New Zealand
12. Bridget Bailey, Australia
13. Candice Yang, Canada
14. Emily Sullivan, New Zealand
15. Shannyn Creekmore, Canada
16. Sharilee Hill, United States
17. Joy Sugahara, Japan
Kaltwasser’s victory was historic, but Canada’s depth immediately behind her was also one of the division’s defining stories.
Liu, Beveridge and Wilson occupied second through fourth against one of the most accomplished professional
competitors in the sport.
IFBB PRO WELLNESS
Danai Theodoropoulou Controls the Division
Danai Theodoropoulou of Greece won Open Wellness with a perfect score of three.
Marissa Andreou of the United States finished second with seven points. Canada’s Sabryna Lebrun placed third with eight, only one point behind Andreou.
Verified Open Wellness Results
1. Danai Theodoropoulou, Greece
2. Marissa Andreou, United States
3. Sabryna Lebrun, Canada
4. Carla Lorena Banegas, Bolivia
5. Micheline Mengue Mengue, Canada
6. Alex Goebel, Canada
7. Cristina Rifo, Canada
8. Cassie Keeping, Canada
9. Sheena Janvier, Canada
Theodoropoulou separated herself clearly from the field.
The battle behind her was much closer, with Andreou and Lebrun separated by one point.
Canadian depth was evident throughout the standings, with six Canadian athletes appearing in the nine-athlete field.
IFBB PRO FIT MODEL
Victoria Schmidt Adds Another Canadian Championship
Victoria Schmidt won the professional Fit Model division with a perfect score of three.
Lauren Lovato of the United States finished second, while Petra Mace earned third for Canada.
New professional Alina Trubina placed fourth.
Verified Open Fit Model Results
1. Victoria Schmidt, Canada
2. Lauren Lovato, United States
3. Petra Mace, Canada
4. Alina Trubina, Canada
5. Misty Yang, China
6. Shenese Case, Canada
7. Lindsay Martens, Canada
8. Brooklyn Goodsell, United States
9. Angela Miranda, United States
10. Felicia Mendez, United States
11. Shambhavi Mahajan, India
12. Phoebe Egoroff, United Kingdom
13. Di Qin, China
14. Carla Krikorian, Canada
15. Brooke Kelly, Canada
16. Sepideh Abshari, Canada
17. Parinya Loptson, Canada
18. Ashley Quick, Canada
Schmidt’s result gave Canada its second open professional victory of the show, joining Classic Physique champion Kellen Wilson.
Canada also earned three of the top four positions through Schmidt, Mace and Trubina.
THE MASTERS CHAMPIONS
The Masters divisions were an important part of the professional show, not an afterthought.
Several Masters athletes were also highly competitive in the open divisions, most notably AJ Ellison, Chad Owens, Shin Kodama, Candice Yang and Cristina Rifo.
Masters Classic Physique 40+
1. Shin Kodama, Japan
2. Cody Amey, Canada
3. Richy Chan, Canada
Masters Men’s Physique 40+
1. AJ Ellison, United States
2. Chad Owens, United States
3. Frankie Arcega, United States
4. David Cai, Canada
5. Tony Gallo, Canada
Masters Bikini 40+
1. Candice Yang, Canada
2. Marisa Ross, United States
3. Shannyn Creekmore, Canada
4. Joy Sugahara, Japan
5. Nikia Hovey, United States
6. Ryoko Donald, Canada
7. Sharilee Hill, United States
Masters Wellness 40+
1. Cristina Rifo, Canada
2. Sheena Janvier, Canada
Masters Fit Model 40+
1. Tabatha Kirkegaard, Canada
2. Parinya Loptson, Canada
3. Simone Sinclaire, Canada
The complete Masters placements are confirmed by the official IFBB Pro League scorecards.
THE DEFINING STORIES OF THE 2026 VAN PRO
Eight New Professionals
Eight athletes left River Rock with their careers permanently changed.
Each pro card represented years of training, dieting, competing and refinement.
For Jack Craddock and Alina Trubina, professional status was followed almost immediately by a top-four professional result.
Canada Demonstrated Exceptional Depth
Canada won the Open Classic Physique and Open Fit Model titles.
Canadian athletes also occupied:
- Three of the top four places in Classic Physique
- Three of the top four places in Bikini
- Three of the top four places in Fit Model
- Six of the nine places in Wellness
The results demonstrated that Canadian athletes were not simply filling the lineups. They were contending for
championships.
Ashley Kaltwasser Continued Making History
Kaltwasser’s 58th professional victory was one of the most historically significant results of the weekend.
Her perfect judging score showed that she remained the clear winner against another strong international field.
AJ Ellison Nearly Won Two Divisions
Ellison won Masters Men’s Physique and finished only one point away from the open championship.
That combination made him one of the weekend’s best overall performers.
Chad Owens Continued an Extraordinary Athletic Journey
Owens brought Hall of Fame football credentials to the IFBB professional stage.
His eighth-place open result and second-place Masters finish demonstrated that his transition into physique
competition was serious and competitive.
The Sponsor Community Showed Up in Full Force
A sold-out sponsor footprint covering two levels reflected the growth and credibility of the Van Pro.
MUTANT led as title sponsor, while Golden Era, Optimum Nutrition, ALLMAX Nutrition, Body Energy Club, Better Bodies, Stay Fit Meals and many other brands helped create a complete industry experience.
Status Fitness Magazine Captured the People Behind the Results
With Rodney Jang leading the official media coverage, Status interviewed most of the weekend’s winners and
many of its most compelling personalities.
Those conversations allowed athletes and sponsors to speak in their own words and ensured that the story
extended far beyond the final scorecards.
FINAL ASSESSMENT
The 2026 Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo succeeded because it brought every part of the competitive fitness industry together.
It gave international amateur athletes a pathway to professional status.
It gave established professionals an important stage on which to compete.
It gave Masters athletes meaningful championship opportunities.
It gave sponsors direct access to one of Canada’s most committed fitness audiences.
It gave fans a complete experience that included competition, interviews, entertainment, products, personalities and industry connection.
Kellen Wilson and Victoria Schmidt delivered open professional championships for Canada.
Hossein Karimi survived the closest open decision of the show.
Danai Theodoropoulou controlled the Wellness division.
Ashley Kaltwasser recorded professional victory number 58.
AJ Ellison won Masters and came within one point of the open Men’s Physique title.
Jack Craddock and Alina Trubina earned their professional cards and immediately finished fourth on the professional stage.
Oksana Grishina delivered an unforgettable Michael Jackson-inspired intermission performance.
Wendy Fortino guided the audience through the weekend with energy and professionalism.
MUTANT led the sponsorship program, while Golden Era and a deep roster of industry partners helped create a sold-out two-level expo.
Behind it all, Michelle Krack and her team worked tirelessly to build the platform on which every one of those moments could happen.
For Status Fitness Magazine, this was more than an event to report on.
It was an event to experience, document and share.
With Editor-in-Chief Rodney Jang leading the coverage in full force, Status was present for the interviews, victories, sponsor activations, historic milestones and emotional moments that occurred beyond the scorecards.
The trophies told one part of the story.
The athletes, sponsors and organizers told the rest.
At the 2026 Vancouver Pro/Am & Expo, Status Fitness Magazine was there to make sure those stories were seen, heard and remembered.
