Paula Ranta Announces Women’s Bodybuilding Jump After Feedback From IFBB Judges
Paula Ranta has become one of the breakout stars of the 2026 IFBB Pro League season thanks to her jaw-dropping conditioning, which has gone viral across the bodybuilding world. Now, after repeated feedback from IFBB judges that she has outgrown the Women’s Physique division, Paula Ranta has announced she will make her Women’s Bodybuilding debut at the 2026 Tampa Pro.
The two-time Women’s Physique champion this season confirmed the news during an interview with BTS TV. Already qualified for the 2026 Olympia in Women’s Physique after victories at the New York Pro and Pittsburgh Pro, Ranta says Tampa will be an opportunity to see whether her future belongs in Women’s Bodybuilding.
Judges Told Paula Ranta She Had Outgrown Women’s Physique
Ranta and coach Ville Rekkola revealed they intentionally brought her into the Chicago Pro nearly eight pounds lighter than she was in Pittsburgh and New York.
The strategy was designed to better fit the Women’s Physique criteria after discussions with judges.
Even then, the feedback remained the same.
According to Rekkola, both Steve Weinberger and Tyler Manion consistently told them Ranta was sitting “on the edge” between Women’s Physique and Women’s Bodybuilding.
Following Chicago, the recommendation became even more direct.
“After every show Tyler, Steve, Sandy… they say, ‘Try Women’s Bodybuilding.’”
Ranta admitted she initially believed she would be undersized for the bodybuilding division, especially compared to the Olympia’s elite competitors. But after reviewing photos from Chicago, she began seeing what the judges were seeing.
“I always think I’m too small for Women’s Bodybuilding…But when I look at the pictures from Chicago… I’m too big.”
Tampa Pro Will Feature the Fullest Version of Paula Ranta Yet
Unlike Chicago, where the team intentionally limited carbohydrate loading, Tampa will feature the opposite strategy.
Rekkola explained that they plan to bring Ranta to the stage as full as possible.
Rather than holding back, the goal is to maximize muscle fullness while maintaining the extreme conditioning that has become her trademark throughout the season.
They expect her stage weight to return to approximately 78-80 kilograms after weighing several kilograms lighter in Chicago.
The coaching team also emphasized that Ranta’s conditioning gives her a potential advantage in Women’s Bodybuilding.
Even if she isn’t the biggest athlete on stage, they believe her ability to arrive “peeled to the bone” could separate her from the field.
Women’s Bodybuilding Could Become Paula Ranta’s Long-Term Home
Neither Ranta nor Rekkola said the move is necessarily permanent.
Instead, they described Tampa as a trial run.
Already qualified for the Olympia in Women’s Physique, Ranta has the flexibility to evaluate how she fits in Women’s Bodybuilding before making a final decision.
However, Rekkola admitted her rapid muscle growth has made remaining in Women’s Physique increasingly difficult.
According to him, Ranta has added significant stage weight during recent offseasons while continuing to train extremely heavy, making it harder each year to fit the division’s standards.
At just 26 years old, the team believes she still has years of growth ahead if she ultimately commits to Women’s Bodybuilding.
Paula Ranta’s Tampa Debut Adds Another Must-Watch Storyline
The Tampa Pro was already shaping up to be one of the season’s biggest contests, but Ranta’s surprise move adds another compelling storyline.
After dominating two of the biggest Women’s Physique events of the year and becoming known across social media for arguably the sharpest conditioning in the division, she’ll now test herself against Women’s Bodybuilding competitors for the first time as a professional.
Whether the move becomes a one-time experiment or the beginning of a permanent division change, all eyes will be on Tampa to see how one of the year’s fastest-rising stars stacks up in her new division.
Image embed via Instagram @paulaifbbpro
