Street-born businesswoman Laura Summers has earned the chance to compete internationally after taking third place in her first bodybuilding competition for two years.
Laura, founder of Sleek Easy Clean, entered the open bikini category at a United Kingdom Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation event as a warm-up before the competitions she had originally planned for later in the season.
She finished third in a field of 10 competitors and received a formal UKBFF invitation qualifying her for IFBB international events.
Laura said she had previously competed in junior bikini but moved into the open category for her return to the stage.
The event was not originally intended to form part of her main competition schedule.
She said: “I wasn’t meant to compete for another three weeks but wanted to get the nerves down as I haven’t competed in two years.”
Laura said she arrived with a bikini and heels which did not meet the requirements for that federation and was marked down as a result.
Despite that, she secured third place and said she was one of three competitors at the event to receive an international invitation.
The UKBFF is affiliated to the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness, with competitors at its qualifying events able to earn invitations to international competitions.
Laura said her invitation means she is now planning to represent Great Britain at the IFBB World Fitness and Bodybuilding Championships in Spain later this year.
The 2026 championships are scheduled to take place in Santa Susanna from 29 October to 2 November, with senior bikini among the categories on the programme.
Laura said receiving the invitation had been a long-held ambition.
She said: “Getting an invite to compete internationally in Spain at the IFBB event is absolutely amazing.
“I’ll be honest, I cried for about an hour straight driving home. I’m very emotional. I am so proud of myself.”
The result comes during an already busy period for Laura away from bodybuilding.
She founded Sleek Easy Clean in 2022 and has since developed the business into a cleaning, specialist biohazard and property services operation working across Somerset and the wider South West.
The company was named Medium Business of the Year at the 2026 Somerset Business Awards.
Laura is also preparing to launch a separate business venture in Shepton Mallet.
She recently told Shepton Mallet Town Council that she is renovating three properties at the bottom of the High Street for a new sports bar, arcade and American diner, with around 50 jobs potentially being created across the three venues.
Laura plans to continue competing over the coming months, with further events on her calendar before the international competition in Spain.
She credited her coach, Swift Peters, with supporting her return to competition and helping her through this year’s preparation.
She said: “None of this is possible without my coach. He’s been there for me this year and has challenged me so much with everything that’s happened, but I’m so grateful to have such an amazing coach around me.”
The UKBFF states that competitors who receive international invitations can represent the federation at IFBB events including World and European Championships.
Laura is due to continue her domestic competition schedule before travelling to Spain later in the year.
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