Powerlifters Brianny Terry And Marianna Gasparyan Become IFBB Pros At 2023 NPC USA Championships

Transitions from one sport to another are not unusual in the fitness community. It is, however, extremely rare to achieve success in one sport and then achieve the same in another. A lot of factors need to line up for this to happen, but Brianny Terry and Marianna Gasparyan decided to take matters into their own hands. Both of the women made incredible careers as powerlifters, but they have now successfully transitioned to bodybuilding. They competed at the 2023 NPC USA Championships and earned their IFBB Pro Cards.

Marianna Gasparyan

Marianna Gasparyan is definitely the most notable women’s athlete in powerlifting, as she still tops the All-Time Rankings with a DOTS score of 709.96. However, she retired from the sport approximately two years ago, and obviously put in a lot of training to build her physique since then.

Overall, Marianna Gasparyan took part in 39 sanctioned powerlifting competitions and won 36 of them. Moreover, she set World Records on over 90 occasions, which helped solidify her as a potential G.O.A.T of powerlifting.

Marianna Gasparyan competed in the lightweight division at the 2023 NPC USA Championships. Having brought in her A-game, Marianna won her division, in turn becoming an IFBB Pro.

Marianna Gasparyan did put in some bodybuilding appearances as well during the past few years. She won the 2020 Savannah Championships and 2023 NPC Worldwide Oksana Grishina International Classic Pro Qualifier. In addition, she has also landed a few top three placings, but nothing measures up to her new gold medal, which earned her the IFBB Pro Card.

Marianna Gasparyan’s Powerlifting History

Related: Watch Powerlifter Marianna Gasparyan Dismantle 235kg/517lb Squat For 5 Reps

Brianny Terry

Brianny Terry’s path to her IFBB Pro Card was a bit tighter than Marianna Gasparyan, as she was not able to win her division. However, to Brianny’s luck, she placed second in Women’s Physique, which was enough for her to become a professional bodybuilder.

Like Marianna Gasparyan, Brianny Terry has also left a massive mark in powerlifting. However, she took part in only ten competitions, but recorded seven impressive victories. Brianny’s legacy was further solidified by her incredible deadlift strength, which she often displayed in competition, as well as in her training sessions. At the moment, it is not clear if Brianny plans on returning to powerlifting.

Brianny Terry started competing in bodybuilding just last year and immediately landed a victory at the 2023 NPC Dallas Championships. She then finished in fourth place at the 2022 NPC USA Championships. So, she jumped up two places this year to earn her IFBB Pro card.

Brianny Terry’s Powerlifting History

Related: Powerlifter Brianny Terry Impresses at 2022 Olympia Expo With 500-lb (226.8-kg) Deadlift For 10 Reps

Although Marianna Gasparyan has not yet revealed her plans for the future, Brianny Terry has already updated her competition calendar. She plans to continue training and make her Pro Bodybuilding debut in 2025. According to her Instagram, Brianny is giving herself a significant time period to improve, as competing against the professionals will be a significantly more difficult challenge.

Apart from Marianna Gasparyan and Brianny Terry, a few more notable names have shown interest in both powerlifting and bodybuilding. Even Larry Wheels, a powerlifting World Record holder, is now aiming to compete in the Classic Bodybuilding division and secure his Pro card as well. Hunter Henderson has also reached the top in both powerlifting and bodybuilding, having secured her IFBB Pro card back in 2021. Interestingly, Hunter has also found success in a third sport — Strongwoman.