The Women of the 2011 IFBB Arnold Classic

Last weekend from March 3 to the 6th we had the 2011 IFBB Arnold Classic, Ms. International, Fitness International and Figure International.
Though it's formally known now as the Arnold Fitness Weekend.
This was the first major IFBB event for the ladies, and here are the top five finishers in each division.

The Ms. International (Bodybuilding)
1. Iris Kyle (This is Iris' sixth Arnold Classic win)
2. Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia
3. Alina Popa
4. Debi Laszewski
5. Betty Adkins

The Figure International (Figure)
1. Nicole Wilkins-Lee (this is Nicole's second win in a row)
2. Erin Stern
3. Ava Cowan
4. Felicia Romero
5. Cheryl Brown

The Fitness International (Fitness)
1. Adela Garcia (This is Adela's fourth win)
2. Tanji Johnson
3. Trish Warren
4. Camala Rodriguez
5. Myriam Capes

IFBB Bikini Pro (Bikini)
1. Nicole Nagrani
2. Sonia Gonzales
3. Nathalia Melo Moreira
4. Jessica Putnam
5. Jaime Baird

For more results, photos and in-depth coverage, check out Bodybuilding.com here:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2011-arnold-sports-festival.htm



The Women of the 2011 IFBB Arnold Classic, posted to http://femalefitnessfigurebodybuilders.blogspot.com/ on March 11th, 2011

Tanya Merryman-Female Fitness Competitor

Photo: Rick Dobbins, http://www.myspace.com/pdpfit

Female fitness competitor and figure competitor Tanya Merryman was one of the first women I profiled here on this blog.
That was back in June of 2007.
Actually I did my first entry on her on my Beautiful Women blog back in February of 2007.
But where a lot of fitness models fade away, Tanya has come back stronger than ever.

Tanya won the Fitness America Pageant title back in 1998.
And even though she has taken time off in the past, she is coming back like gangbusters now.
Even though for the moment she is sidelined with a ACL injury according to her blog.

Recent Contest History:

2007 NPC National Championships, 1st place

2008 IFBB Arnold Classic Bodybuilding, Fitness And Figure Contest, 12th place

2008 IFBB 15th Annual Sports/Fitness Weekend & Europa IFBB Super Show, 11th place

2008 IFBB Tournament of Champions Pro Figure, 10th place

2009 IFBB California State Pro Figure Championships, 15th place

You can find out more about Tanya and keep up with her current activities at her website:
http://www.tanyam.com/

And you can see more of Rick Dobbins' amazing photography here:
http://www.myspace.com/pdpfit

Jenn Jackson

Jenn Jackson is a NPC national figure competitor and fitness model.
She was born on October 17, 1975 in East Tawas, Michigan.
Jenn is 5'2 and a half and weighs 125 contest and 135 off season.
She has a very lean, ripped physique and striking eyes.

Contest History:
2007 Northern Kentucky Figure B Class (1st Place and Overall)
2007 Natural Northern Ohio (3rd Place)
2007 NPC Jr. Nationals (9th Place)
2007 Indianapolis (2nd Place)
2007 Europa Supershow (6th Place)
2008 NPC Jr. USA (9th Place)
2008 NPC Jr. Nationals (9th Place)

You can find out more about Jenn at her website here:
http://jennjackson.com/

IFBB Figure Pro: Heather Mae French

Heather Mae French is an IFBB Figure Pro from Little Rock, Arkansas.
You wouldn't know it to look at her, but she stands 5'3 and weighs 103 pounds.
In 2008, Heather was named one of the top eight figure pros to watch by FigureRX Magazine.
And looking at her it's no wonder why.
She is ripped, tight and compact with beautiful blue eyes.
And looking at her contest history, she seems to just keep getting better.

And talk about humble beginnings, she started out watching Denise Austin on the Lifetime channel and buying "Buns of Steel" videotapes.
See?
When you want to succed, it doesnt matter where you start.

Contest History:
2006 TOC Pro Figure Figure: Figure (14th)
2007 IFBB Colorado Pro/Am Classic Bodybuilding And Figure Contest (12th)
2007 IFBB Tournament Of Champions Pro Figure (6th)
2007 IFBB Sacramento Pro Figure Grand Prix (7th)
2008 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure (4th)
2008 IFBB California State Pro Figure Championships (2nd)
2008 IFBB Houston Pro Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Contest (3rd)
2008 IFBB Olympia (10th)
2009 IFBB Arnold Classic (7th)
2009 IFBB Europa Show of Champions (2nd)
2009 IFBB California State Pro Figure Championships (1st)


You can find out more about Heather at her website here:
http://www.heathermaefrench.com/

Carmen Dura

Carmen Dura is a ACE certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, AFC certified personal trainer, boxing coach, figure competitor, fitness model and entrepreneur.
Is that enough?
I probably missed some to be honest.
Like the fact that she does she personalized online fitness training.
Or that she runs a fitness camp for children in the Miami area?
This 5'2", 114 pound beauty has a lot on her plate, but she seems to get everything done.

She was the 1998 Alliance Fitness Corporation Fitness Instructor of the Year.
She was also a FAME 2006 Fitness Model competitor and a FAME 2007 Fitness Model competitor.

You can see a lot more of Carmen at her website here:
http://www.carmendura.net/

Or you can visit her MySpace page here:
http://www.myspace.com/fitmiss1

Nora Girones

Spanish fitness competitor Nora Girones.

Nora Girones went from singing to bodybuilding.
I don't think that's a transition we've had on here before.
Usually it's gymnast or swimmer or something like that.
She appeared on "Popstars", pretty much the Spanish equivalent of "American Idol".

Gina Davis

This lady is a bodybuilder no question.
With her mass and size, she's not gonna get confused with a fitness competitor.
Gina was born on November 27th, 1969.

Contest History:
1999 Overall Champion at the Lackland Classic in 1999.
2000 Texas State Championship, 2nd place, Heavyweight
2002 John Sherman Classic, 1st place Heavyweight
2002 NPC Nationals, 13th place Heavyweight
2003 NPC Nationals, 7th place, Heavyweight
2004 NPC Nationals, 1st Place Heavyweight and Overall
2006 Europa Super Show, 7th Place


You can go to Gina's Website to see more pictures and learn more about this amazing lady
http://www.ginadavis.us/

And you can visit her blog here
http://www.ginadavis.us/blog/blogger.html

Joanie Laurer, Chyna

Before she became the "The Ninth Wonder of the World" Joanie Laurer aka Chyna tried her hand at fitness competitions.
According to everything I've read, she didn't do well, but I think that's because with her size and build, she should have focused on Bodybuilding instead.
But the fitness worlds loss was pro wrestling's gain and she soon appeared on the then WWF as Triple H's bodyguard valet.

Joanie started out lifting weights and working out as a way to get away from the domestic turmoil at home.
But it wasn't really until she met Gerry Blais, a bodybuilder at World Gym in Londonderry, New Hampshire that things took off for her.
She dove into training and entered fitness competitions.
The only ones I could really find were the 1994 ESPN Fitness America Competition and the 1996 New York City regional of the Fitness America Pageant.

Barbara Engelsmann, IFBB Pro Figure competitor

IFBB Pro Figure competitor Barbara Engelsmann was born on June 25th, 1995, in Stuttgart, Germany.
Besides being a figure competitor, she is a certified personal trainer and fitness model.
She has competed in the:
2004 IFBB Europa Super Show, 16th place.
2004 Bulk Nutrition/Charlotte Pro, 16th place
2005 Tournament of Champions, 14th place
2005 Sacramento Pro Fitness and Pro Figure, 16th place

For more info, you can visit her website here:
http://www.barbara-engelsmann.de/

Trina Goosby Updates

I haven't done an entry on this lovely lady in almost two years, so here's some more info.....

Trina Goosby was born on March 18, 1977 in Dearborn Heights Michigan and grew up in Antigo, a small town in Northern Wisconsin.
She is 5 feet tall and weighs around 105-110 pounds.
Trina is a (here we go again) a NPC Figure and Fitness Competitor, Fitness Model, Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor.
She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology.
Like I have said before, these ladies are not content to excel in just one thing!

Contest History:
2000 NPC Kim Hartt Fitness, 1st Place and Overall
2001 SportAerobic Fitness Challenge Winner
2001 NPC Debbie Kruck Fitness, 4th Place
2002 NPC Jr. USA's Fitness, 3rd Place
2003 NPC Fitness Nationals, 9th Place
2004 Ms. Bikini America Competitor, 11th Place
2005 NPC Treasure Coast Figure, 1st Place
2005 NPC Southern States Figure, 2nd Place
2005 NPC Debbie Kruck Figure Classic, 1st Place
2006 NPC Zena Collins Figure, OVERALL Winner & 1st Place Class A

You can visit her website here:
http://www.trinagoosby.com/

Megan Thomas

This lovely lady is a personal trainer,fitness model and NPC figure competitor, MMA fighter and mother!
How does she fit all that in?
I have no idea.
But you know what?
Her child can go up to the other kids on the playground and say "My Mom can beat up your Mom! And your Dad, and your Brother...."
I mentioned Megan on my Female MMA blog, but I thought she needed an entry here as well.
Contests:
2001 Ms. Fitness Missouri
2006 Ms. Figure Missouri

Watch for this young lady.
You can visit her MySpace page at
http://www.myspace.com/modelmeegan

See more fitness beauties here:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Female-Fitness-Models-and-Female-Fitness-Competitors-3

Oksana Grishina, IFBB Pro Russian Fitness Competitor

Oksana Grishina is IFBB Pro Russian Fitness Competitor.
She was born in Kaliningrad, Russia.
This 5'3", 116 lbs lady started her professional career while working in a Fitness Club as a personal trainer.

Contest History:
2007 Europa Super Show 16th Place
2007 IFBB All Star Pro Fitness Championships 3rd Place
2007 IFBB Olympia 7th Place
2008 IFBB Arnold Classic Bodybuilding, Fitness And Figure Contest 10th Place
2008 IFBB New York Pro Fitness 7th Place

She will be at the Arnold Classic Mar. 6 - Mar. 7, 2009 competing in the Fitness category

Fitness Model and Figure Competitor Aeryon Bela Ashlie

Aeryon Bela Ashlie is a Personal Trainer,Fitness Model and Figure Competitor.
Aeryon has fitness in her blood, as her father was an amateur bodybuilder and her mother was a figure skating coach.
I haven't been able to find any current info on Aeryon, so I don't know if she is still actively competing or not.

IFBB Pro Monica Brant's Birthday!

Today is IFBB professional figure competitor Monica Brant-Peckham's birthday.
So Happy Birthday Monica!
I think she is getting better looking with age.

You can visit this fitness icon's website here:
http://www.monicabrant.com/

Fitness model and Competitor: Ocean Bloom

Actress, Fitness Model, Pro Fitness Athlete, Writer, Personal Trainer AND Choreographer Ocean Bloom.
Whew, that's a long description for one lady.
And this lady has done a lot.
Ocean was born on November 18 1977 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
She started dance at the age of 5.
As a fitness model she has appeared on the cover and inside Ironman, Oxygen, Planet Muscle, Muscle Mag, Bodytalk, American Curves, Natural Bodybuilding and others.
As a pro fitness athlete, she won the Bodymax Bodybuilding Competition, the BC Junior Bodybuilding Competition, BC Fitness Competition, World Natural Sports Competition, Fitness America West Fitness, Fame's World Pro Fitness, Fame Nationals Pro Figure and Fames National Muscle Model and placed in several more competitions.
On TV she has appeared in two of my favorite shows, Psych and Stargate.

For way more info on this lady go to her website here:
http://www.oceanbloom.com/

Fitness Model: Monica Starr

This personal trainer and fitness model was born in a small town in Kansas.

She has her own website http://www.monicastarr.net/ and appears on several other fitness websites.

I even did an entry on her myself awhile back here.

Fitness model Michele Lindquist

Beautiful fitness model Michele Lindquist.
Couldn't find a lot on this lovely lady, except she came in fifth at the Ms. Fitness America Minnesota on Oct. 23, 1999.
But she does have a fan run Yahoo group here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isml/



Technorati Tags: Michele Lindquist sexy hot female bodybuilders fitness models bodybuilding muscle girls body building

Bodybuilding Success Stories: Meral Ertunc

Bodybuilding Success Stories: Meral Ertunc
By: Ruth Silverman

Whatever happened to Meral Ertunc? You know'the pretty, dark-haired Turkish-born bodybuilder from Virginia who won her class at the '92 NPC Nationals, took third at the '93 Jan Tana Classic and made it to the Olympia in her first year as a pro? In the rush to develop bigger, harder bodies in the female bodybuilding ranks, then as now, a woman who possessed the truly total package of aesthetics'symmetry, proportion and looks'stood out even if she was only 5'2'. Besides, how could you forget a name like Meral Ertunc?
http://www.ironmanmagazine.com/index.cfm?page=article&go2=1324

Maria Gonzales

Maria Gonzales was a fitness competitor and fitness model in the 90s.
She won the third Strong and Shapely Pro Fitness Contest, beating out the incredible Debbie Kruck, she placed fourth at the 1995 Jan Tana Pro Fitness and eighth at the
1996 Jan Tana Pro Fitness competition.
Here's a video I found on YouTube about her:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqaxvA0Zk2k

Diana Dennis

Former female bodybuilder Diana Dennis was born on July 12, 1951.
She began competing in local contests in 1981. Her earliest success was in mixed pairs competition, with partner Kevin Lawrence. They won several titles, including the 1985 IFBB World Amateur competition. Diana earned her pro card by winning the overall title at the 1985 NPC Nationals. She then established herself as one of the top professional competitors by finishing third in the Ms. Olympia later that year. She competed in a total of nine Ms. Olympia contests, finishing outside the top ten only once. As a pro, Diana won the 1986 Los Angeles Pro Championship and the 1989 Pro World Championship.
She was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2001.