Shillong, Sept 9: Meghalaya’s Aiusha Richelle Iongren marked a memorable international bodybuilding debut in Singapore by winning gold in the Sports Model Open amateur category before claiming bronze in the Open Bikini Diva Pro Show at the INBA PNBA Natural Universe 2026.
The two-day championship was held on September 5–6 at the Singapore Airlines Theatre, Laselle College of the Arts, with the main competition taking place on September 6. The event marked the first time the INBA PNBA Natural Universe was staged in Singapore and featured both amateur and professional divisions.
Representing India, Iongren first competed in the amateur section, where she secured gold in the Sports Model Open category.
She then stepped onto the professional stage for the first time as a PNBA Elite Pro, competing in the Open Bikini Diva category and finishing with a bronze medal.
The performance comes a year after Iongren earned her PNBA Pro Card in 2025, paving the way for her move into professional competition.
From Pro Card to Elite Pro debut
Iongren’s journey to the international stage has extended beyond conventional bodybuilding. She has described herself as a hybrid athlete, combining strength, endurance and physique training.
She has also been recognised for her achievements in strength sports, including a reported 11-tonne truck-pull victory associated with her status as the Strongest Woman of India.
Her move into professional natural bodybuilding now adds another dimension to her sporting career.
The Singapore championship was particularly significant as it brought together athletes from across the world and offered pathways for competitors to earn professional status and qualify for Natural Olympia. The organisers described the event as both an INBA Pro Qualifier and Natural Olympia Qualifier, while the professional division included Women’s Bikini Diva among its categories.
For Iongren, the weekend produced a double podium finish — a gold medal in the amateur Sports Model Open followed by bronze in the Open Bikini Diva professional division.
Her bronze also marked the beginning of her journey as a professional athlete on the PNBA stage, after earning her Pro Card in 2025.
