Ava Cowan Switches From Figure To Women’s Physique Division

Perhaps the last thing on Ava Cowan’s mind in March of 2013 was which division to compete in, as the IFBB figure pro was contemplating surgery and the possibility of having to retire. She had suffered a serious neck injury and her doctors were recommending a procedure to replace a herniated cervical disc with a prosthetic implant and knew that she would be in for a long recovery. But she fought through it all and made a triumphant return to the stage less than a year later and now is going to take it up a notch.

Since earning her pro card at the 2009 NPC Nationals, Cowan has competed frequently  – five times in 2010, five in 2011 and four in 2012. That trend would have no doubt continued if not for the accident that caused her injuries and so far in 2014, she placed eighth at the Ms. International and third Australian Pro Grand Prix. But on the April 29 episode of Pro Body Talk, Cowan said that she is in fact going to switch to the Women’s Physique Division and wrote the following on her Facebook page:

“Thank you everyone for the support! I also want to give a quick shout out to Pro Body Talk for having me on the show and allowing me to share my story and announcement! Thank you!”

Cowan has never finished out of the top-10 in any of the shows she has competed in, amateur and professional, and placed in the top-six in 12 consecutive. She won the 2011 Europa SuperShow and placed third at the Ms. Olympia a month later. Although she hasn’t fared as well at the Ms. International and Olympia since then, this still comes as a surprise.

Looking at it from a different point of view, though, the WPD may be a better fit for the popular competitor. She has always had a very muscular physique with great detail, especially in her abs. So the transition should be a seamless one and her fans and the entire industry patiently awaits her first contest in the ultra-competitive WPD.

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