- by croatiaweek
- September 6, 2025
-
in
Sport
Meri Abbado (Photo: Private album)
Meri Abbado, originally from Split, Croatia and now based in Los Angeles, has written her name into the record books.
At nearly 57, she became the oldest Bikini athlete to step on stage at the prestigious Masters Olympia, held last month in Tokyo.
Abbado finished 15th out of 38 competitors in the Bikini category – an impressive result, especially given the calibre of athletes at the event.
“This was a decade-long journey,” Abbado, who turns 57 on Monday, said.
“Ten years of grinding, following a rigid diet and making sacrifices. There were setbacks and moments of self-doubt, but every small victory gave me the push to carry on. It was not just a physical transformation, but also a mental, emotional, and spiritual one. It made me a stronger, better person, and I am grateful for all of it.”
Abbado’s latest achievement adds to an already impressive résumé. Since entering the sport in her forties, she has collected 26 IFBB Master Bikini Pro wins, two Master Bikini World Championship titles, and qualified twice for the Masters Bikini Olympia.
Along the way, she credits the coaches, friends, and loved ones who supported her.
From her first trainer, who introduced her to the sport, to the professionals who guided her physique to the top level, Abbado says their input was vital. “I will forever cherish the journey we’ve shared,” she added.
Starting out at 43
Her path into bodybuilding began in 2011, following a hysterectomy at the age of 43. Keen to regain strength, Abbado turned to the gym. What began as a personal recovery soon became a passion.
She launched a Facebook page to share her workouts, quickly attracting women seeking advice, which inspired her to become a certified personal trainer.
(Photo: Private album)
Her competitive journey started by chance. After watching a video of a bikini bodybuilding event, she decided to try it herself. With no coach and little knowledge, she taught herself everything she could online, from diet to training, and entered a competition just three months later.
(Photo: Private album)
It turned out to be one of the largest NPC/IFBB shows in the United States. “After that, I was hooked and wanted to do more.”
(Photo: Private album)
Abbado’s story has been featured in Aging Evolution, a documentary produced by Generation Iron and Vladar Films.
