Muscle Memory digital Dec/Jan 2018 | Page 15

2018 will be a year of formal change for the structure of Canadian bodybuilding and fitness competition. Athletes of all levels will see greater opportunities and benefits than ever be- fore. Muscle Memory spoke with Ron Hache, president of the all-new Canadian Physique Alliance, to discuss the sport in Canada going forward and the ever-increasing opportunities presented to athletes, thanks to promoter support. The future is now for the all-new Canadian Physique Alliance. In a landmark paradigm shift within the Canadian bodybuilding and fitness industry, the former On- tario Physique Associa- tion (OPA) has adopted an independent tack in a break from the Canadian Bodybuild- ing Federation (CBBF) and changed its structure and name to the Cana- dian Physique Alliance (CPA). Two options were available: align with the IFBB Professional League, who offers the coveted “Pro” card, or align with the IFBB International League, who offers the IFBB “Pro Elite” card. By dissolving its ties to the CBBF, the new CPA will align with the IFBB Professional League and therein strengthen its relationship with the US-based National Physique Com- mittee (NPC). “We chose to stay with North America, because it’s what we know,” says CPA President Ron “We’re simply giving what the majority of our member athletes want: to compete in North America.” Hache, who was been appointed to lead the new CPA by NPC President Jim Manion. “We had no choice other than to make this logical decision. We know the Olympia, the Arnold, the Toronto Pro SuperShow, Vancouver Pro Show, and so on. We’re simply giving what the major- ity of our member athletes want: to compete in North America.” Hache harkened back to the origins of modern bodybuilding to i