Sarah Priestley was crowned FMG Bikini Italy Pro Champion 2026. Photo: Toby Harrison
Former Ngāhinapōuri School and St Peter’s School Cambridge student Sarah Priestley (nee Moore), 28, has been crowned Bikini Italy Pro Champion 2026 in Rimini.
The event was part of the recent Rimini Wellness show.
Priestley placed second in the Bikini Athletic category as well as taking the Pro Bikini title. Photo: Toby Harrison
Priestley, nee Moore, grew up in Whatawhata and is now based in Brisbane where she runs two businesses from home.
“I often joke that I’ve gone from gumboots to heels,” Priestley said. “While I now call Brisbane home, New Zealand will always be a huge part of who I am and it’s something I’m proud to represent whenever I compete internationally.”
Priestley started bodybuilding training six years ago and competed for the first time in 2022. She competed in three shows in her first competitive season and earned professional status in the United States.
In Italy, at her seventh competition, Priestley placed second in the Bikini Athletic category as well as taking the Pro Bikini title.
“You can work incredibly hard for years before seeing the result you’re chasing, so to travel halfway across the world and win a professional champion title in Italy was incredibly special,” Priestley said.
“What made it even more meaningful was that it came after 18 months of intentionally focusing on improvement.
“In 2024, I placed second on the professional stage in Dubai and rather than rushing back into competition, my coach and I spent the next year and a half building muscle and addressing the feedback from the judges.
Priestley reacts to the title win in Rimini. Photo: Toby Harrison
She said it was challenging to balance the demands of preparation with running two businesses.
“As you get leaner, energy levels drop and recovery becomes more important, so maintaining a high level of performance in both business and sport requires a lot of discipline and planning.”
“The atmosphere inside the Rimini Wellness Expo was unlike anything I’ve experienced before and being able to represent New Zealand on an international stage made it even more special.”
She hopes to inspire others to back themselves, stay patient and pursue something that feels a scary or ambitious.
“One of the things I love most about bodybuilding is that it shows what’s possible when ordinary people commit to an extraordinary goal,” Priestley said.
“I’m not a full-time athlete. I have built this career around everyday life, which is why I love sharing the journey online.
“This win wasn’t built in a day. It was built through years of consistency, learning from setbacks, applying feedback and continuing to show up when nobody was watching.
“I hope that’s something people can relate to, regardless of whether they’re interested in bodybuilding or not.”
Sarah Priestley was crowned FMG Bikini Italy Pro Champion 2026. Photo: Toby Harrison
