Thursday, March 22, 2007

Athena Siganakis' Return To Female Bodybuilding On Schedule



After a bit of a layoff, Athena Siganakis has returned to bodybuilding. She's now training for her first show (in a long time), which will be held June 2nd in Ft.St. John, B.C. She says "It's only a Level 1, but ya gotta start somewhere."

Athena very graciously took time to answer a few questions.

How did you get into bodybuilding?

"A few years after I retired from rythmic gymnastics I decided I was getting a little too heavy and needed to do something about it. So I joined a small gym. The trainer there thought I was competing already! Always had big legs and big arms. 2yrs later I did my first show. I was 21. I think I placed 2nd...I think..lol"

What fbbs are friends of yours?

"I don't have a lot of fbbs as friends. Not that I don't want them it's just the way it has turned out. I do count Shawn Tan as a friend and I recently befriended Michelle Russell. She's a newbie here in BC. Will be doing her first show in Nov. You've never heard of her but you will :)"

Is there a great sisterhood?

"I think there is a great sisterhood. Most of the fbbs I have met and talked to are more than willing to help each other. We have to be. It's not always easy being us."

Why does women's bodybuilding endure considering all the crits and controversy?

"Why do more and more women do it? It lives because we do it for the love of it. 'They' have said fbbing was dead so many times over the years and yet here we are. We're not going away. I think more and more women are realizing that muscle on the female body is damn sexy. And being fit and strong is very empowering."

Is the webcam a necessary good ($) or a necessary evil? Why?

"For me it's a necessary good. Without it I could not afford to compete. So far I haven't had a bad experience. Made some great friends. But it can be an evil. I think it depends on how the fbber uses it."



Athena's developed a good fan base from her webcam, and is now ready to go out and build an even larger base from competiting. So look out for this reborn face on the female bodybuilding scene.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Monica Mollica - Super Legs Woman On Webcam



As if photo's aren't enough, the incredibly beautiful and accomplished (book on fitness for sale -- Swedish) Swedish female bodybuilder Monica ("Super Legs") Mollica is taking the webcam world by storm.

While webcams were once considered a controversial development, now they're mainstream as many of the top webcam sites have over 100 female bodybuilder with webcam pages, and considered essential for the generation of revenue that's applied to training for contests.

The webcams are also growing in number, with a new site called Euromusclecam making its entrance.

Monica's natural sexiness and a very cut and ripped and shapely body has made her a star at sites like FTWebcam and HerBicepscam. Her legs rival those of IFBB pro Heather Policky, who Monica considers her "model" female bodybuilder

Check out Monica's page there with a click here.

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Monica Mollica - New Page At Andy's Muscle Goddesses


Rising star Monica Mollica has a new page at Andy's Muscle Goddesses, where it's reported...

Where and when were you born?
I was born in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, on April 14th 1980.

What is your profession?
I currently work as a writer, dietary consultant and (part time) web designer.

Were you involved in sports or fitness prior to bodybuilding and how did you get started with weight training?
I have been active all my life; as a child and teenager I was a dancer. Then I discovered the gym and weights on my way to the aerobic classes, and after that it didn’t take long before I turned into a gym rat. By the age of 14 I already had the desire to compete. Since I was tiny back then I aimed at fitness, even though it was bodybuilding that I had a passion for.

Was it a goal for you to compete in bodybuilding competitions right from the beginning or was it something that grew in your mind as time went on and you saw the progress in your body?
Pretty much, yes. But because I didn’t have the necessary muscle mass, I started out with fitness to get experience.

Can you give me your competition history?
I did three fitness shows in Sweden 1999. However I was too vascular and lean, and therefore didn’t place very good (the judging is Sweden is a bit different than in the USA!).

Please tell me something about your training routine (ie: how many days per week / training split /cardio, etc.)
I train most everyday. I know it’s easy to get over trained by training every day, but thanks to good nutrition and a lot of sleep, I can make progress on this training volume. I’ve cut down on my cardio over the years in order to maximize muscle growth, but I think I’m still doing more cardio (30-45 min after every weight lifting workout) than most other bodybuilders. I like to keep my cardiovascular system in as good condition as my muscles.

What is your favorite exercise in the gym and which one you don’t like so much?
Squats! Then chins, dips, dumbbell shoulder presses and then incline dumbbell chest presses…and then…

There isn’t really any exercise I don’t like. They all hit the muscles from different angels and are necessary to fully develop all muscles.

Which body part is your best in your opinion?
Legs and glutes have always been my trademark!

If you don’t mind would you give me some stats (best lifts and some body measurements)?
I’m 5’4” and my current off-season weight (keeping my abs visible all year round) is 159-160 lb. My best squat is 330 lb and I do incline chest presses with 75 lb dumbbells. My max in chins is 14 reps.

There's more. Just click on the title of this post!

Friday, March 16, 2007

Melissa Dettwiller and Gene Hwang At Arnold Classic Afterparty


Arnold Afterparty, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

The woman on the left -- well, the only woman in the photo -- is not Babarella, but famous female bodybuilder Melissa Dettwiller at the after-party for the Arnold Classic. All I can say is wow.

Oh, the guy's GeneX Hwang, the equally famous photographer of women bodybuilders, but we're not focused on him!

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Monica Mollica - Super Legs Woman



Yep. Sweden's Monica Mollica's a Super Woman and getting stronger every day.

She says her idol / objective is IFBB Pro Heather Policky "Why do you think I'm busting my ass?" she asks.

Well, she's certainly doing that and with the desire to have the sheer thigh mass that Ms. Policky is known for.

I'd say she's on her way.

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Jennifer Benda At The Arnold Classic


Jennifer Benda @ the Arnold, originally uploaded by hansk01.

Hans Klien takes this photo of Jennifer Benda, the 2006 Orange County (CA) Classic - NPC, Heavyweight, second place winner, at the Arnold Classic.

Jody May At The 2007 Arnold Classic


Jody May, originally uploaded by hansk01.

Hans Klein captures Jody May at the pre-judging at the Arnold Classic. Jody's showing a new hair-style compared to her appearance at the NPC Nationals in Atlanta in 2005. But the smile's still the same.

Jaime Buffalari - Classic Pict From Photo Shoot With GeneX


Jaime Buffalari, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

This is simply one of GeneX's best photos in my opinion. He captures Jaime Buffalari in a classic black and white conception and an angle that in one view manages to take her beauty and muscularity to a new level.

More on Jaime Buffalari here.

Annie Rivieccio At The 2007 Arnold Classic


GS2Q1442, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

Annie Rivieccio shows an hourglass body, ripped thighs, and great symetry in this photo. She placed seventh in the contest.

Arnold Classic Posedown - Lisa Aukland, Heather Policky, and Heather Foster


_MG_5345, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

This photo features Lisa Aukland, the fourth place winner of the Arnold Classic on the left with Heather Policky in the middle and Heather Foster on the right. Check out Lisa hamstring development.

Yaxeni Oriquen, Iris Kyle, and Heather Policky At The Arnold Classic


_MG_5227, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

This is a great photo of the eventual Arnold Classic winner, Iris Kyle in the middle of a posedown featuring Yaxeni Oriquen on the left and Heather Policky on the right.

Iris Kyle Wins 2007 Arnold Classic

PRO
Ms. International Bodybuilding
Overall: Iris Kyle

1) Iris Kyle
2) Yaxeni Oriquen
3) Heather Policky
4) Lisa Aukland
5) Betty Pariso
6) Dayana Cadeau
7) Annie Rivieccio
8) Bonny Priest
9)Toni Norman
10) Cathy Lefrancois
11) Lora Ottenad
12) Denise Masino
13) Kim Perez
14) Colette Nelson
15) Rose Jennings
16) Susanne Niederhauser

Figure International

1) Mary Elizabeth Lado
2) Amanda Savell
3) Sonia Adcock
4) Latisha Wilder
5) Valerie Waugaman
6) Gina Aliotti
7) Chastity Slone
8) Julie Wallis
9) Christine Wan
10) Inga Neverauskaite
11) Jane Awad
12) Debbie Leung
13) Briana Tindall
14) Corry Matthews
15) Zena Collins

Fitness International

1) Kim Klein
2) Jen Hendershott
3) Adela Garcia
4) Tanji Johnson
5) Julie Palmer
6) Tracey Greenwood
7) Julie Shipley-Childs
8) Debra Czempinski
9) Hollie Stewart
10) Angela Monteleone-Semsch
11) Amy Villa-Nelson
12) Mindi O'Brien
13) Bethany Gainey
14) Amy Haddad
15) Heidi Fletcher
* qualifies for 2007 Olympia

Friday, March 02, 2007

GeneX Sneaks Up On Melissa Dettwiller At Arnold Classic

They refer to this as a mugging of Melissa Dettwiller, but I'll be kinder. Check out the video:

Amy Schmid Looks Ripped At 2007 Arnold Classic


Amy Schmid, originally uploaded by hansk01.

Amy Schmid at the weigh-in at the 2007 Arnold Classic amateur show, Columbus, Ohio, March 2007.

Jody May Weighs In At 2007 Arnold Classic


Jody weighs in, originally uploaded by hansk01.

Hans Klein captures Jody May at the weigh-in at the 2007 Arnold Classic amateur show, Columbus, Ohio, March 2007. He reports:

" Jody May arrived in Columbus after a three-day drive from Texas and weighed in at 159 pounds (she came in at 166 at Nationals last November so she’s in much better shape this time). She looked awesome and is definitely going to be hard to beat in the heavies…"

Michelle Jones - British Female Bodybuilder - 2006 UK Champion


DSC00684, originally uploaded by hansk01.

Michelle Jones is an up and coming female bodybuilder who -- at 21 -- has a lot of potential on top of what' she's already done. She works out at Forest Gym in the UK, where these photos were taken by Hans Klein, a writer for GeneX Magazine. It can be said that Hans discovered her for the Internet world.

He posted this account:


Michelle Jones, a 21 year-old British girl I met today, is one of the most promising young female bodybuilders to come out of England in years - in fact, since Joanna Thomas. When she won the British equivalent of Nationals last October – only her second ever show – she was, in fact, even younger than Joanna was when she won the same show back in 1998. But unfortunately, the rules have now been changed. Whereas Joanna got a pro card automatically, Michelle will have to compete at the Europeans or Worlds to get hers.

To that end, she’s in the middle of what she calls a “two-year process of bulking up”. At 5-foot-3, she competed last October at 125 pounds and she’s already put on a lot of size since then - as I saw when I went to visit her today at Forest Gym, a hardcore gym (paint peeling off the equipment, signed photos of pros on the wall, Rammstein playing) in Sussex, just south of London, where she trains.

More on Michelle Jones here.

2007 Arnold Classic Women's Bodybuilding Competitor List - Contest Is March 2nd - 3rd

Women's Bodybuilding

Lightweight

Dianne Brown Maryland
Ann Caliri North Carolina
Ayanna Carroll Maryland
Brigette Charles Ohio
Annette Costa Florida
Cindy Goodrich Washington
Nisette Gray Michigan
Dee Lazard Texas
Leslie Nelson Ohio
Jennifer Wilson Kentucky

Middleweight


Debra Brock South Carolina
Shannon Chandler North Carolina
Shar Courtney Texas
Tedda Focht Ohio
Sueallen Lottimore Arizona
Jill Lundy Ohio
Rachael McMillan Georgia
Holly Nicholson Nevada
Christy Resendes Massachusetts
Amy Schmid Ohio
Heavyweight Lynn Aubrey Kentucky
Leigh Ann Bowen Kentucky
Marcia Ferguson Ohio
Merry Christine Harris Washington
Karin Klein Ohio
DeChanta Knox Delaware
Yamile Marrero Florida
Jody May Texas
Evy Rustad Norway
Emanuela Silvagni New York

Women's Figure

A Class Heather Bear Indiana
Anne Broadbent Kentucky
Lisa Brown Alabama
Sanovia Nikki Browner Nevada
Robin Channell Tennessee
Julie Costa Massachusetts
Charmaine Davis Delaware
Michelle DeVere-Jones Kentucky
Theresa Evans Connecticut
Kara Flowers Ohio
Jill Frew New York
Rachel Gallegos Colorado
Trina Goosby Florida
Bethann Hyndshaw New Jersey
Liza Kampstra Colorado
Carla L. Kearns Pennsylvania
Jill Knight Oregon
Crystal Lowery California
Cindy Martinez Florida
Kathryn Payton Texas
Tiffany Procopio Maryland
Katrina Roundtree Virginia
Rosalind Vail Florida
Angela Wagner Missouri
Nikki Warner Indiana
Alisa Williams Tennessee

B Class

Jane Archer Indiana
Nadine Baker Indiana
Lori Burnett Ohio
Gina Cardone New York
Nina T. Cash Ohio
Sarah Chilia Ohio
Carmen Demske Florida
Michelle Duckworth Kentucky
Nicole Fatigati Missouri
Bea Fox California
Kristen Grider Arizona
Terri Jett South Carolina
Kelly Long Indiana
Carla Machado-Jones Maryland
Yvette Lozano California
Chelsey Morgenstern Ohio
Essie Numminen Nevada
Ann Pratt Arizona
Marchell Purcey Ohio
Grace Rivera New York
Janet Routzong Hilliard
Jacqui Skibba Colorado
Tiffany Underwood Ohio
Nicole Wilkenfeld Minnesota
Tonya Wood Arizona

Women's Figure (Continued)

C Class

Teresa Anthony Maryland
Kim Barnes-Jefferson Massachusetts
Natalie Calland Ohio
Michele Cogger California
Katie Dulac New Hampshire
Rose Mary Fries Texas
Marie Gibbon Ohio
Molly Gillespie Texas
Laurie Eldredge Connecticut
Caralyn Hammonds Tennessee
Katie Heath Utah
Kristi Knights Maine
Jenny Lewis Colorado
Amber Mixell Pennsylvania
Felica O'Neal Ohio
Melissa Pearo Oklahoma
Holly Powell Ohio
Jennifer Schumm Colorado
Michelle Selwyn Florida
Sandra Simons Washington, DC
Robin Sinclear California
Kathryn Stewart Indiana
Charity Tinsley Ohio
Jill Travaglia Minnesota
Michele Welcome-Pellegato Connecticut
Lucinda Marie Witte California
Shelly Yakimchuk Canada

D Class

Alicia Marie New York
Amy Bates Florida
Dawnice Beckley Ohio
Ardrenia Blackshear-Lyons Florida
Natalie Blommel Ohio
Amanda Bollinger Utah
Renee Bradford Texas
Felicia Bruno Texas
Gretchen Crass Maryland
Claire Davies Indiana
Brooke Doran Maryland
Sarah Dowd Ohio
Nancy Georges California
Christine Holland-Morrow New Jersey
Wendy Kust Illinois
Stephanie Larkin Florida
Lisa Miles Ohio
Roberta Orth Canada
Elise Prucha New York
Danielle Rouleau Florida
Lisa Sonterre-Hausfeld Ohio
Shannan Yorton California
Leyla Yurchick Ohio
Shaushi Zike Washington

Women's Fitness

Short Class

Colleen Baldwin Texas
Maggie Blanchard New Hampshire
Dawn Butterfield Rhode Island
Rachelle Cannon Maryland
Bethany Chorba Michigan
Jessica Clay Ohio
Andrea Cloninger North Carolina
Sara Flom California
Kelly Foster Ohio
Venus Nguyen Arizona
Toneka Pires Massachusetts
Venus Ramos California
Cristina Ray Indiana
Emily Smith Ohio
Cindy Steedle Georgia

Tall Class

Kristin Marie Ackerson Vermont
Jill Brooks Texas
Tara Carrillo Colorado
Jodie Cohen Massachusetts
Monique Colbert Florida
Barbie Guerra Arizona
Tanis Hill Canada
Lilla Krifaton Nevada
Amanda Marinelli Florida
Betsy McNally-Harris Illinois
ShaNay Montez Norvell Georgia
Rochelle Rene Florida
Amanda Smith Massachusetts
Breaking news

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