By John Plummer

Will the UK be celebrating its first world champion this weekend since the creation of the IFBB Elite Pro division two years ago?

Four top class athletes from this country are flying to Tarragona to give it their best shot, and see if they can follow in the footsteps of the likes of Michal Krizanek, from Slovakia, who won bodybuilding last year and Angela Borges, from Brazil, who took first place in wellness.

There's little doubt who is leading the UK charge – three-time pro show champion Abies Nosa.

Abies has won two out of two this year, pocketing $7,500 prize money for his triumphs at the $60,000 Arnold Classic Europe and the $25,000 IFBB Elite Pro Madrid.

His match-up with unbeaten defending champion Dmytro Horobets, from Ukraine, is expected to be one of the weekend's highlights.

“I've been on prep for 49 weeks so it's been a long journey and hopefully it will end up well,” Abies said.

Abies will be joined on stage in men's physique by 2018 UKBFF British champion Mahmoud Elmawardy.

On the women's side, Ade Bishop, who picked up a cheque for $3,000 for finishing second in women's physique at last year's world championships in China, will be hoping to bring her usual trademark conditioning and stage presence.

And Lisa-Marie Graham, who must have won more trophies than anyone over the last couple of years, will be lining up in bikini fitness.

Good luck to all our pros, as well as those UKBFF athletes who are competing in the IFBB Amateur World Cup that is being held alongside the pro show in Tarragona.

2018 world champions Mika Sihvonen (left) and Michal Krizanek.

2018 IFBB PRO WORLD CHAMPIONS

MEN

Bodybuilding over 90 kg

Michal Krizanek – Slovakia

Bodybuilding over 90 kg

Mika Sihvonen – Finland

Classic Physique

German Pastor – Spain

Men's Physique

Dmytro Horobets - Ukraine

WOMEN

Women's Physique

Michaela Kohutova – Czech Republic

Bodyfitness

Adela Ondrejovikova – Slovakia

Wellness

Angela Borges – Brazil

Bikini Fitness

Melina Keltaniemi – Finland

Fitness

Oksana Orobets – Ukraine

UK PROS SET FOR IFBB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS