PHOTO: FMG Pro Champion Trudie Coombes in California after receiving her title crowns.
Coonamble bodybuilder Trudie Coombes has qualified for the FMG International (Fitness, Muscle, Glamour) World Titles, to be held on the Gold Coast next year.
Just over a year after receiving pro bodybuilder status, she notched a double title win this month competing in a show in California that qualifies her for the world event.
Trudie took out the open and 35+ fitness categories at the show on 14 September and walked away fourth in the 35+ bikini competition.
Her coach and friend, FMG Figure World Champion Asha Coulthard, crowned her on stage.
“I was quite surprised,” Trudie said.
“In the morning I felt like I didn’t do as well as expected, so I was a bit down on myself that I might have missed out on a placing.”
When it came to presentations, her win in the open was announced first.
The 42-year-old was kept on stage afterwards as one of the competitors in the open who also competed in on the 35+.
“A lady came out and asked, ‘can I take your crown and your sash and put it back stage?’ and I just assumed that they didn’t want someone wearing the crown when they were ready to do the next category,” Trudie said.
“And then they called out third and second again and I realised that I’d won that one as well.”
Back in Coonamble, Trudie’s mother Dianne and sister Rebecca wedged time between a shift at the bowling club to watch her win.
“We were watching it in the kitchen,” Dianne said.
“I was just so proud of her.”
Trudie began the sport in 2018 following a move to Dubbo, where bodybuilder and fellow gymgoer Bri Hughes inspired her to give it a go.
In 2020 she reached out to her now coach and the next year took the stage for her first show in the Gold Coast.
After a first place performance in July last year in the 35+ and 40+ fitness categories at the World Beauty Fashion and Fitness (WBFF) Sydney show the locum nurse was awarded her pro bodybuilding card.
“I think it becomes addictive,” Trudie said.
“You set a goal and you just focus more on achieving that goal and not so much further above that at the time.
“The next step is just constantly setting the goal higher.”
Trudie says she would like to be a world crown holder in the FMG’s 45+ division.