HARDBODY Female Sports, Health & Fitness News
A Love for Sport Life.™
My good man Tony Blinn over at IFBBpro.com has posted Houston Pro photos from the figure one and two piece competitions. Check out the competition from the lense of photographer, Mark Mason. Mark is a good guy out of the upper west side of the United States. He does work on his own as well as for bodybuilding.com.
Dina Al-Sabah has long been a fan favorite in the fitness industry. She’s graced multiple magazine covers and has a striking look that will stop you in your tracks. I caught up with Dina while I was in Las Vegas for a shoot at Red Rocks. We managed to make it up there at the buttcrack of dawn and get a few shots. If you haven’t made the trip out to Red Rocks, I’d encourage you to do so. Go early in the morning or you may melt away.
The 2008 NPC USA Figure Championships are nearly upon us once again. There’s a number of amazing physiques and the competition will be tough. Some of the classes are loaded more than others and will be even more difficult for some to prevail. Last year Catherine Andersen took top honors in the show and months later found herself on the Arnold Classic stage. Michelle “momma” Flake was the 2005 overall winner who has gone on to grace the Olympia stage. Who will win this year and which class will provide the overall winner? Cast your vote below.
My pal Kim Seeley checked in with an update from the heartland. Kim tells me she is doing well and as you can see, she’s most definitely preggo. Kim shared a few workout photos she took with Sharon Gottula, a photographer in her area.
Did you miss the action that went down earlier this month in Houston? Check out the photos on the IFBB web site to see a bit of what you missed. It sounds like we’ll be seeing another showdown in the heart of Texas next month when Tracey, Shannon and Erin (the top three in Houston) all return to the Europa Super show.
Two more women joined the IFBB Professional ranks. Gale Frankie won the Master’s Heavyweight Bodybuilding and overall title. Tina White took top honors in the Master’s Figure E Class as well as the overall crown. Congratulations to both women and to all who competed in the show.
Okay so maybe she isn’t but I am. Jamie Costa won the NPC figure A Class at the NPC Jr. USAs earlier this year and looked great. It was the first time I had met Jamie but had seen her compete at the USAs last year. I’ve seen Jamie streamline her physique in one year and it’s nothing short of amazing. She’s not only an attractive up-and-coming model but also fits the bill for doing well on stage.
I caught up with Jamie last night for a shoot one week out from the NPC USAs and she’s definitely bringing her A game. She’s streamlined her physique even more since Charleston with her legs coming down in size. At 5’0″ and currently weighing 98lbs, you will see a whole new Jamie next week.
Jen Hendershott’s Fitness Olympia contract is signed, sealed and delivered. It’s settled – she is back baby! The entertaining IFBB fitness star decided to try her hand in Sin City once again. Read the full story on FLEXonline.com.
It’s been years since Kelly Ryan was on a competitive fitness stage and she’s spent the last 2.5 years in a Clark County jail cell. Kelly and her husband Craig Titus avoided a trial last month by taking guilty pleas to lesser charges. The two were to be sentenced tomorrow at 8:30 am, however the sentencing has been pushed back to August 22, 2008. If you missed the story and have a few hours on your hands to catch up, you can read all about the ongoing story at www.titusandryan.com.
I’m hearing rumors that Kelly will receive some where in the area of 3-5 years plus time served for her sentence. What will the former fitness champ do when she’s out?
The Aussie newspapers are asking why the parents aren’t being arrested and causing concern over a 10 year old competing at a bodybuilding show. Reading the Australian online stories you’d swear the little girl was being exploited and living out her parent’s dream, at least that’s how some are trying to paint the picture. According to her the little girl and her parents she entered the competition to have fun after watching bodybuilding shows. Where’s the harm in that? Well, it’s an ongoing question of how young is too young for a competitor to be on stage.
One newspaper (The Herald Sun) interviewed the girl and she told them, “I wasn’t nervous. I just jumped around and was just so excited”.
The article went on to say that child pyschologist Michael Carr-Gregg thought the girl was too young to be “flaunting her body and it could send out the wrong message to image-conscious kids.”
“The thing that concerns me is that young people can damage themselves quite badly if they over-exercise when young,” he said.
“What we should be saying to kids is they should be valued more for what they do than how they look.”
Others think the whole thing is being blown out of proportion and that we should encourage young kids to get off their butts and away from the computer to do something active. IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Lee Priest recently moved back to Australia and had this to say on a bodybuilding message board regarding the topic, “She didn’t diet…They are just down the road from where I live…She is a young active girl with good genetics…Has a great little shape without dieting…She competed in the fitness part and did a little bit of bodybuilding routine as her father use to do it…They are making a big deal of it saying it’s wrong…What’s the difference from that or kids playing any other sport or doing gymnastics etc…At least she is staying healthy and today where kids are so fat why is it bad? If she loves it go for it I say…She doesn’t do weights just more gymnastic style of training….”
IFBB Pro Carla Sanchez holds an annual event which has a Jr. Fitness category. Having seen the show myself the girls who compete in this type of event have fun and it promotes healthy eating. The girls are dieting or doing anything crazy with their diets, they are simply having fun and being active. I wasn’t at the show where the girl from Australia competed in but from the sounds of things she was doing much the same and just having fun.
FLEXonline.com has decided to mix things up a bit in their online modeling contest. Due to the overwhelming response to the Bikini Model Search Online contest, they will be awarding not one but two winners for month five. That will take the total number of winners to 16 for the finals in Las Vegas. The deadline to enter is July 21, 2008. Don’t miss your chance, enter today at FLEXonline.com.
Many times message boards get a bad rap for fostering negativity, especially in the fitness, figure and bodybuilding world. Message boards are often filled with gimmick accounts looking to bash on anyone and everyone or ruin valid discussions. I visit a number of forums for photography, design, MMA and other niches. There always seems to be a few people who post more often then others for whatever reason. I do agree that the message boards in our industry tend to lean on the more negative side of things then other industries. That is until recently. A few months ago, a board called “sioux country” has started to flourish. What the name means and what it has to do with fitness? I haven’t a clue. Who runs the board? Again I haven’t the slightest idea. Honestly, I don’t care who the guy is or need to know his name or see his face because he’s created a positive environment that fosters something refreshing to the fitness industry. The board continues to grow leaps and bounds every week with it’s members. You’ll find a variety of top pros and amateurs interacting with the fans. It’s great to see a friendly environment dedicated to the women of the sport where bashing and malicious attacks are not tolerated.
Women if you’re curious about all the happenings in the industry and too busy to visit a ton of sites (except for hard body of course), I recommend bookmarking the web site, siouxcountry.com. It’s worth checking out and rest assured you won’t be attack or belittled there. Props to the mysterious country of sioux for his dedication to the women’s side of the industry.
Twenty-five year old Jennifer Buckles proved persistence pays off. In her third time entering the FLEXonline Bikini Model Search contest she struck gold. Jennifer is now qualified for the 15-woman finals that will be held during the Olympia. Congrats to Jennifer on the victory. For more photos and an interview with Buckles, visit FLEXonline.com.
The following athletes are required to participate in The NPC NEWS Photo Shoot With J.M. Manion.
• MEN’S OVERALL WINNER
• WOMEN’S OVERALL WINNER
• THE 6 FIGURE HEIGHT CLASS WINNERS
When: Sunday, July 27, 2008
Where: The Embassy Suites Hotel Swimming Pool
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 Noon
What to Bring:
The 3 Overall Winners Are To Bring Their Overall Trophies Only.
The Men’s & Women’s Overall Winners Are To Bring Their Posing Suit & Posing Oil.
The 6 Figure Height Class Winners Are To Bring Their 2-Piece Competition Suits Along With Any Other 2-Piece Swimsuits.
Women should have their hair and makeup done prior to the shoot.
Hailing out of Boynton Beach, Florida, Fredericia (Freddi) Brant has her sights set on this weekend’s competition. Freddi will be traveling to Pittsburgh to compete in the Master’s Figure Nationals contest. She’s looking for nothing less than the overall title this time around. I caught up with Freddi days before the show.
What do you do in Florida besides workout?
I have a Law Degree and used that degree to go into and own various businesses. I have a business selling Medical Equipment called Brant Mohawk, LLC. Because I am 50% American Indian and a woman I focus on government contracts. I am also working on a program starting in the New Year called “The Champion in Me” that will help others achieve their success with a mind, body, spirit transformation. My fiance and I just opened a tanning salon in Boynton Beach called, “The Boca Tanning Club”.
Oh is that all? LOL. That’s awesome.
How did you get your start in figure competitions?
I went through a divorce and moved from Ohio to Florida and wanted to focus on something that was not relationship oriented that would take up my extra time and focus. I started working out at the local gym, in Boynton Beach and found a trainer and a diet coach. I picked a date that would give me about 5 months to prepare and turned up the heat. I won the overall in November of 2005, at my very first show, called the All South. What a thrill!
How many NPC shows have you competed in?
Since that time, I have been in 6 NPC shows, excluding my first show. I placed as well as top five in the North American in 06 and last year placed a disappointing 9th, at the North American. I felt that I needed to change my physique and my posing, I knew I could do better. What I needed was a coach and someone who could help me pose. I approached Paola Almerico and Kim Oddo who have both changed my entire look. Kim Oddo is my coach and Paola has been so helpful in showing me how to show my body on stage. I can’t wait to show my new look in Pittsburgh.
What is your goal for Masters Figure Nationals?
I have only one goal for the Masters Nationals…to follow my dream and win the overall.
What advice do you have to other women who think they are too old to compete?
You can never put an age limit on goals and dreams! A woman who is older and worried about competing should not defeat herself in her own mind. She should be realistic in her goals, set her mind to be a champion, train smart and go for it!
Thanks Freddie and all the best this weekend at the show.
Jamie Eason is every where women want to be. This time around it’s on the cover of Oyxgen magazine’s September issue. Jamie has risen to modeling stardom over the past couple of years and is also sponsored by bodybuilding.com, the biggest health and fitness web site in the world. Her boyfriend is the lead singer in a band that has also found success as of late. Congratulations to Jamie on her continued success.
Recently I was talking with a competitor about modeling and competing. There are a number of great competitors as there are great models. I was stumped when it came to thinking of who would be coined the best model AND competitor. I guess one would have to define what a great competitor would be as well as what a great model would be. I don’t think you have to win the Olympia to be considered a great competitor. There are a number of great models who never compete or when they do place low. I would define a great competitor as someone who consistently places in the top five in every show they enter. This year names that come to mind would be Jen Gates, Felicia Romero, Gina Aliotti would be considered top figure competitors. Fitness great competitors would be Julie Palmer, Jen Hendershott, Tracey Greenwood, Adela Garcia and Kim Klien. While these women are amazing competitors not all of them find themselves gracing the covers of magazines. Felicia and Jen Gates have both had covers so I would venture to pit these two as your top contenders for the great competitor and great model. Felicia has had two covers this year and two wins which gives her the nod over Gates.
Is Felicia Romero the top competitor AND model? Who else should be considered. Being a great competitor and not a great model is not a bad thing, nor is having a prosperous modeling career and placing low. Post your suggestions in the comments field.
Jaime Meade is a head turner on and off stage. She packs an impressive set of guns and will light up a room with her smile. Jaime has found success in her relatively short competition career, recently placing third in her class at the NPC Jr Nationals. One of the first conversations I had with Jaime, I asked what her goals were for the show and she gave me the ever popular, “I’m just happy to be here.” I rolled my eyes and told her that was a load of crap. She insisted that she wasn’t and that she really was happy to be competing and very fortunate to be doing what she is doing. Turns out she wasn’t full of poo and she really was happy to be there. Read why in the interview below. She was a California girl but now calls Parker, Colorado home.
Next week Jaime will be heading to the NPC USAs to try her hand in figure once again. I caught up with her a few days out from the competition and she was kind enough to share the skinny:
You’re a fan of dogs, right?
1 angry maltese, 1 passive poodle, 1 scoobydoo Rottie/Akita mix, 3 dumb goats, 1 ancient Beta Fish
I won’t ask why you’re hate’n on the goats and calling them dumb.
Guilty Pleasure?
French Fries dipped in a milkshake… oh yumm
You told me in Chicago you were just happy to be there and I said you were full of it. You then explained why. Why is it you are just happy to compete, you mentioned your job…?
Well, after I got over being called “full of it” for being happy to be at my first national competition and 1 day away from grubbin on a pizza ha ha 🙂 I felt that you should know the reason I am really happy to be able to compete is b/c as a physical therapist I work every day with kids from preschool up to adults who have mild to severe physical disabilities. Teaching my kiddos how to move better and have less struggle in the realm of their physical needs makes me feel grateful that I have the ability to pursue the journey of what is takes to be a figure competitor.
You placed third at Jr. Nationals when you said you’d be happy with top 15. What are you goals for Vegas?
My goals for Vegas is to stay up in the top 5!
Where will you be headed in Vegas after you’re done competing?
Pink Taco…hmmmmmm than later the blackjack table to win money to help me get to my next competition!! ha ha ha ….my taco bell job isn’t cutting it!! 😉
Ah moonlighting at little taco land. NOW we know what’s up.
If you’re interested in learning more about Jaime check out her interview and spotlight on the Performance Ready web site. She admits to having a fitness fantasy of beating Iris Kyle in an arm wrestling match. She’s shown she can more than hold her own on the NPC Figure stage and we’ll see how she fairs next weekend in Las Vegas. Good luck Jaime!
The good doctor has put her time in with her contest prep and is headed to the 2008 Masters Figure competition this weekend. Elissa Schlichter has been focusing on refining her physique and bringing a streamlined look to this show. If the photos are any indication, it looks like she’s done her homework and will fair very well at the show. Last year she placed third and will look to improve upon those standings. Here’s a sneak peak at what her competition will face.
Bodybuilding.com, the Internet’s most- visited bodybuilding and fitness site and largest retailer of nutritional supplements, is airing the first-ever webcast of the NPC (National Physique Committee) USA Bodybuilding and Figure Championships, an IFBB Pro Qualifier. The exclusive rights to this highly-demanded webcast are part of a three year (2008-2010) title-sponsorship of the NPC USAs.
Fans not lucky enough to see the NPC USA Championships live in Las Vegas July 25th-26th will be able to watch them for free at Bodybuilding.com starting at 3PM (MST) on Monday July 28th. Viewers will have one full week to watch as much of the action as they want; all emceed by award-winning journalist Lonnie Teper (Iron Man). A DVD will then be available for purchase at www.Repetrope.com.
“We are so proud to be able to bring the USAs to our visitors around the world. For the first time ever, fans that can’t make it to Las Vegas will be able to see this world-class event,†says CEO Ryan DeLuca.
The NPC USA Championships are scheduled to have another record year with over 300 men and women from across the country competing on stage at this premier pro-qualifying event. This highly-anticipated show has had the Bodybuilding.com Forum buzzing with discussion over the heated competition for months now.
For more information visit http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2008_npc_usa.htm
Bodybuilding.com offers more than 7,000 health and fitness supplements & accessories to help people achieve their fitness goals. They offer more than 25,000 pages of FREE bodybuilding and fitness information, including more than 12,000 articles (written by 525+ writers), video & audio segments, and new content added daily.
For more information: http://www.bodybuilding.com
Tune in tonight as Larry Pepe visits with IFBB Figure star Felicia Romero on Pro Bodybuilding Weekly. Felicia has two wins under her belt this year, a couple magazine covers and a prosperous business in Arizona. Life seems to be good for Felicia.
PBW airs tonight at 8pm EST – listen live at BodybuildingRadio.com
Felicia Romero in California earlier this year.
IFBB Figure star and fitness model Christine Pomponio-Pate showed up with her lil’ guy at the NPC Colorado State show. Christine was looking better than ever and you’d swear she was getting ready to compete. She tells me she has lost some muscle (it didn’t show) and that she weighs the same now as when she competed. Will she step on stage again? Never say never but she’s happy being a mom to her baby boy.
Can you identify who this competitor is? A hint she was in Chicago last month at the 2008 NPC Jr. Nationals.
If you’re an IFBB Fitness Pro, please see the below message from the IFBB Fitness Rep – Jen Hendershott.
I need ALL Fitness competitors rookies and veterans to email me their information ASAP (EVEN if you have submitted to me before). I am trying to update all my files for all the FITNESS competitors. If you know competitors that do not check the boards often please advise them of my post.
Please send the following information to me at:
Jen Hendershott – jenhenfit2000@aol.comHere is what I need:
Your first and last name
Address (city, state, Zip)
contact phone number
Email address
Website addressAlso include what suggestions you have for the IFBB for Fitness ONLY.
I will be meeting with the IFBB at the Olympia during the Athlete Rep meeting and want to make sure I have suggestions from the competitors to present.
Thank you and have a great summer!
Jen Hendershott
The 2008 Masters Figure National Championships will be held on July 18 & 19, 2008. Promoted by Dr. Gary Udit this show is always top notch. Gary and his team run a tremendous event that always brings out the best master competitors in the NPC. This event is held in conjunction with the teen, collegiate and masters bodybuilding, teen and collegiate fitness nationals as well as teen and collegiate figure nationals. You will find the competitor lists for the Master’s Figure National. A few familiar names might stand out as they’ve been competing recently. Best of luck to all the competitors and if you’d like move information on this show, visit garyudit.com.
Figure Over 35 A
Debbie Bell
Gina Molinaro
Kristyn Rhoades
Susan Maruca
Valerie Tinsley
Lisa Sandercock
Suzanne Jimenez
Figure Over 35 B
Jennifer De Joya
Tasha Richer
Janet Winchester
Tracy Chenaul-Shank
Nancy Fuentes
Shannon Bennett
Wendy Kaszer
Candice Houston
Melody Chao
Melanie Burger
Fredericia Brant
Tara Green
Patrice Vignola
Sabrina Sonner
Figure Over 35 C
Sandra Brewer Stakely
Dawnice Beckley
Amy Brown
Tracy Ciccone
Shawna Charboneau
Heidi Hansen-Carlin
Carla Machado
April DeLaPaz
Ann Pratt
Katerina Tarbox
Grace Rivera
Daphne Bascom
Elissa Schlicter
Jill Lindsey
Carmen Demske
Brenda Dunsmore
Angela Kegler
Sherry Harrison
Tricia Trosclair
Robin Infante
Martha Vucsko
Linda Smith
Chrissy Burton
Joy Dematas
Jennifer Kline
Figure Over 35 D
Jan Horn
Tracy Guarino
Shelly Hillesheim
Tiffany
Nanci Kerr
Brenda James
Michelle Mazulis
Deborah Judy
Joanna Frichtel
Joanne Ott
Veronica Ruth
Figure Over 35 E
Joanna Wilson
Becky Youngberg
Stephanie McDonald
Natalie Calland
Bonnie Wilson
Tina White
Ursula Cristofaro
Neely Simmons
Judy Weichman
Kathleen McLain Zamora
Gail Meadows
Holly Powell
Lisa Sonterre Hausfield
Holly Beck
Jeanne Nimmer
Marie Ann Newman
Figure Over 35 F
Amanda Marinelli
Elizabeth Sandoz
Brandie Gardner
Maria Corsaro
Jennifer Peckham
Figure Over 45 A
Elizabeth Hinkelman
Valerie Tinsley
Melanie Burger
Sabrina Sonner
Elissa Schlicter
Martha Vucsko
Linda Smith
Robin Gizzi
Denise Dinger
Michele Frank
Figure Over 45 B
Elizabeth Hinkelman
Joanna Frichtel
Joanne Ott
Bonnie Wilson
Gail Meadows
Figure Over 55
Shirley McManus
Kathy Cook
Deborah Freeman
Maureen O’Connell
IFBB Fitness Pro Julie Lohre made waves on the Arnold stage this year. Will we see her compete at the Europa or perhaps the Atlantic City show? Hmmm… time will tells fitness fans but for now she’s the photo of the day. Taken at last year’s West Palm Beach show.
Alicia Marie is preparing to compete at the NPC USA Figure contest, which will be held in a couple of weeks. She recently signed with one of the top supplement companies, BSN, where she has her own blog. Her lastest entry reads, “I am spending my “down” time LOL (what’s that???) writing for Oxygen (yay!) and reading up on my training for post-season. Very excited as I will be planning to compete in a triathlon in the summer of ’09.”
Recently, Alicia has been making news away from the fitness scene. Alex Rodriguez is one of the top professional baseball players and has caused a great deal of buzz after his wife slapped him with divorce papers. He’s been reportedly linked to Madonna and now fitness model Alicia Marie. The New York Daily News put her on the cover of their July 9th issue with the headline, “A-Rod’s Gal Pals”.
Some say she’s trying to further her own career by attaching herself to the A-Rod media frenzy. Others would disagree and may be jealous of her connection to the famous baseball player. Alicia is no stranger to being linked to professional athletes who create media attention. She’s dated the controversial baseball pitcher John Rocker. Earlier in the year she made a guest appearance in Boise, Idaho for the Bodybuilding.com Fitness Expo where she represented BSN.
She nabbed the second IFBB pro card at the 2008 NPC Jr. USAs and will soon be making her professional figure debut. Jessica Lyons has decided to try her hand on the next level at the Jacksonville Pro Classic. She had originally intended on the New York Pro for her debut however decided she was ready to get in the mix a bit sooner than expected. We’ll see how she fairs next month. This is one of our photos from the day after her victory.
Hendershott is always one of the top performers on the IFBB Pro Fitness stage. When I asked Jen if she was doing the Olympia this year she told me she was still thinking about it. I told her that was crap and she should do it. Jen has a million things going on with her business but always manages to find time to compete. She’s had some of the most memorable routines at the Olympia and personally, I’d love to see her return to the stage. What do you think fitness fans?
The list for the 2008 Jacksonville Pro Figure show is shaping up to be a good lineup. A few faces will return to the stage for the first time in months. How will the time off serve Jessica Paxson-Putnam and Mary Elizabeth Lado? Jessica Lyons will be making her pro debut – will she fair as well as Lenay Hernandez did? Kristi Tauti is already qualified for the Olympia and will be a threat again at this show. Canadian Jane Awad is looking to move up from her Houston Pro placings. Kristal Richardson has steadily improved and has take a little time off from the stage but certainly not from working or working out. This is also the debut for Brazilian Larissa Reis she’s another one to watch at this show. Christine Wan has been in the mix and could make a push for the top placings if she’s able to put it all together. I just spoke to Krissy Chin and she will also be competing at this show despite not being on the list yet.
COMPETITOR LIST:
1 Archibold, Elisha USA
2 Awad, Jane Canada
3 Briceno, Tivisay USA
4 Cabrices Werner, Thais Venezuela
5 Clawson, Becky USA
6 Jones-Williams, Allison USA
7 Lado, Mary Elizabeth USA
8 Lyons, Jessica USA
9 Mello, Patricia Brazil
10 Mertl, Petra Czech Republic
11 Montanaro-Griffin, Melissa USA
12 Niederhauser, Susanne Austria
13 Parmley, Claire USA
14 Paxson-Putnam, Jessica USA
15 Pearo, Melissa USA
16 Porter, Marcy USA
17 Reis, Larissa USA
18 Richardson, Kristal USA
19 Sharp, Cynthia USA
20 Steffens, Jessica USA
21 Stephens, Amy USA
22 Sutter, Laura USA
23 Tauti, Kristi USA
24 Veselova, Irina Russia
25 Wan, Christine USA
26 Wood, Tessa USA
