Penza, 20 April 2017. PenzaNews. Over 200 athletes submitted applications for participation in the open Russian Fitness and Bodybuilding Cup, which will be held in Penza on Saturday, April 29. This was reported by the famous Penza bodybuilder, “Mister Universe 2009” Aleksey Netesanov.

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"I hope, everyone will come. It is planned to hold preselection, but the audience will be able to see all athletes," he said at the press conference that was held in the cinema concert hall "Penza" on Thursday, April 20.

According to him, the championship is a qualifying stage before the NABBA World Championship that will be conducted in Russia for the first time and will be held in Samara on June 17.

"The Russian Cup urged many athletes, who used to be Russian, European and World champions but already completed their careers [...], to start preparing to competitions again. A lot of athletes of old days will participate in the Penza tournament in order to get qualified for the World Championship," Alexey Netesanov explained.

He added that around 70 women will compete in the nomination "Bikini".

According to the athlete, the younger participant of the domestic tournament is 17 years old.

"About 40 Penza high-level athletes are going to take part. It happens that a lot of people arrive at the very last day without even having applications for participation. We do not reject them but try to accept everyone," Alexey Netesanov specified.