First, I want to thank the Olympia, NPC Worldwide and the IFBB Professional League for including the Wheelchair Division in all their marketing and branding. The fitness and bodybuilding industry is unique in this respect, as it includes wheelchair athletes alongside all others. This is the only sport that promotes wheelchair athletes on the same amateur and professional stages and platforms. No other sport provides such inclusion. This is truly an honor, and I cannot thank you enough. Without the support of Mr. Jim Manion and Tyler Manion, none of this would be possible.
Second, I want to express my gratitude to all media outlets, social media platforms, and other channels for sharing the Wheelchair Division. Many people talk about inclusion, but instead of just talking, I focus on making it happen. By sharing, posting, and including our athletes, you are spreading the message of inclusion through your actions. Thank you so much!
Over the years, many athletes have asked me about prize money for events like the Olympia, the Arnold, and other IFBB Pro Wheelchair competitions. They question why wheelchair athletes aren’t paid equally and argue that it’s unfair. What they may not realize is that at most competitions, the total payout is $3,500: 1st place receives $2,000, 2nd place $1,000, and 3rd place $500, which matches the prize structure of divisions like Bikini, Wellness, and others.
For the Wheelchair Division, athletes do not need to qualify for many of the IFBB Pro Wheelchair qualifiers, whereas all other non-wheelchair athletes must first qualify at a National Qualifier and then be allowed the chance to earn their IFBB Pro Card. Due to the smaller number of participants, wheelchair athletes can enter an IFBB Pro Qualifier without this prerequisite.
The number of athletes competing in the wheelchair category is significantly smaller compared to other divisions. For example, while the NPC Nationals can attract hundreds of competitors across various categories, the NPC Wheelchair Nationals may only feature around 10 participants.
For the Olympia, all other athletes must win an Olympia Qualifier to secure their spot. In the Wheelchair Division, athletes have the opportunity to earn points toward their qualification, and in some cases, competing in just two IFBB Pro Wheelchair competitions is enough to qualify for the Olympia.
This contrasts with non-wheelchair athletes, many of whom travel around the world to compete in 3-6+ Olympia qualifiers and may still not qualify. As a result, it is much easier for wheelchair athletes to earn a place on the Olympia stage.
Regarding prize money, I consulted a staff writer and photojournalist for PVA Publications (pva.org), which covers all wheelchair sports and adaptive activities. This is what they said:
“In my experience, I’ve never seen a competition that pays prize money, except for bodybuilding and maybe the big four marathons.”
Web Content Manager
Staff Writer/Photojournalist
PVA Publications (pva.org)
Some athletes express dissatisfaction about prize money, yet they don’t show up to compete. Prize money is guaranteed just by participating. For instance, at this year’s Arnold Classic UK, only two IFBB Pro Wheelchair athletes competed, meaning a third-place prize of $1,000 went unclaimed.
If athletes, companies, or fans are unhappy with the prize payouts, instead of pointing fingers, they should step up—donate, secure funding, or sponsor events and athletes directly. You can reach out to any athlete personally or contact me at wheelchairbodybuilding@gmail.com or info@wheelchairbodybuilding.com.
It’s difficult to find clear information on prizes for other wheelchair sports. I’ve made everything regarding wheelchair bodybuilding transparent and accessible. You can find it easily on our website: www.WheelchairBodybuilding.com or www.IFBBPROWCBB.com.
Some athletes excel at posting on social media, while others post very little. If more athletes made an effort to post, share, tag, and collaborate with organizations, their content would likely be shared on broader platforms. Many competitions have millions of followers, providing athletes with exposure that could help them build their personal brand.