Ashleigh places 4th at New York & Pittsburgh Pro

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Ashleigh Sherwood posing at the Pittsburgh Pro




This past season, South African Figure athlete Ashleigh Sherwood made her long-awaited professional debut on one of the IFBB Pro League's biggest stages. After earning her pro card in 2024, Sherwood stepped onto the stage at the prestigious New York Pro on May 9th, the beginning of a historic run for South African figure bodybuilding.



    WATCH: Ashleigh posing routine at New York Pro


At the New York Pro, Sherwood secured a 4th place finish in a deep and competitive Figure division. Standing on stage with her were some of the world's best, including winner Jeanne Kassel of Germany and second-place finisher Vanessa Happle, also of Germany. As a debutante, Sherwood's performance placed her just outside the medals but firmly in the top tier of the competition.


Ashleigh Sherwood posing at the New York Pro


Just eight days later, on May 17th, Sherwood returned to the stage to compete at the Pittsburgh Pro. In a striking display of consistency, the South African star once again placed 4th—this time behind winner Natalia Soltero of Mexico, with Jeanne Kassel and Vanessa Happle once again claiming the silver and bronze medals just ahead of her.


Pittsburgh Pro official placing

With back-to-back fourth-place finishes at the New York Pro and Pittsburgh Pro are the strongest performances ever achieved by a South African female Figure athlete at the IFBB Pro level, officially placing her as the most successful athlete in her division from the country.



 WATCH: Ashleigh posing routine at Pittsburgh Pro



Reflecting on her debut season, Sherwood shared her emotions with heartfelt sincerity:

"I'm still in awe that I placed top 4 in both of my pro debut shows and stood beside women I've looked up to for years.

But more than the placing… this lit a fire in me. A huge one. šŸ”„ The feedback from the judges motivated me even more because now I know exactly what needs to be done, and I'm so excited to grow into this sport even further.

This was one of my favourite peaks of the season and looking back at this video honestly gives me goosebumps šŸ˜­ After one of the hardest and most life-changing preps of my life, I stepped on that stage proud, grateful and fully myself… trying not to cry šŸ„¹"


 



Competing on two of the most demanding stages in the IFBB Pro League calendar within the span of just over a week, Sherwood showed not only elite-level conditioning but remarkable mental fortitude. As she continues to refine her package and gain valuable experience against the world's best, she remains a proud ambassador for South African Figure bodybuilding, coach Stef du Toit