VMI Cheerleader Fight; Headlock Defines 21st Century Woman

This photo of VMI Cheerleader and the YouTube video of her in the middle of a fight during the VMI-Citadel game, has captured the imagination of America and defined the 21st Century woman.

It's a great example of what an episode of "Kate On Sports" called "Women And Muscle" was trying to explain, that society has made room for women to have muscle, but it's also given a space for women to use that muscle. This is a great example of that observation.

A search for "VMI Cheerleader" reveals over 24,000 results for a search on Google. Why is this event so fascinating to America, if not the industrialized world? Judging by some of the blog comments, it seems to be a mesh between two very primal scenes: one sexual: a blonde cheerleader, and the other physical: her placing a cadet in a headlock.

The other related attraction is that this "little blonde girl" or "Buffy The Cadet Slayer" who's been "going to the gym" as some have described her, actually took on one of the basic symbols of masculinity and male power, the military man.

She not only took him on, she threw him down as the video below will show. But in tossing him aside and to the turf, she may -- in one fell swoop -- may have slam-dunked hundreds of years of "weak-woman" stereotypes. I should add that if you look at the video, the cadet actually was thrown with such force, he turned over in a body-roll on the ground once before stopping.

If you think about it, she also may have caused many young women -- especially in college -- to reconsider working out and getting strong as an "ok" thing to do, and thus push American society to a continuation of this redefinition of what it is I'll bet some ad genius out there uses this video as the basis for a campaign of some kind. Just wait.

Meanwhile, just watch...

About New Zealand's FBB, Steph Park

Steph Park is another popular female bodybuilder who's from New Zealand. She just married her trainer and graduated from Teacher's College. Here's more from her website..

I started Bodybuilding in 1998 when I was approached by my trainer Jason Orr about becoming a serious competitor. I have always been involved in athletics mainly soccer but I've left that behind to focus on building a more muscular physique. I have fortunately been able to gain muscle quickly and I intend to push my potential to the maximum, without the use of drugs.

My first taste of competition came in 1999, starting off in a Figure contest and placing third. Also in 1999, I entered a Level 1 Bodybuilding show and won third place again. I decided to take a year off from competing to improve some areas before entering another Level 1 show in 2001. It proved to be beneficial because I won that show. I look forward to entering more competitions in the near future, it is such an amazing experience. It's hard work but very gratifying.

In 2005 I graduated from Teacher's College in Dunedin, New Zealand. I 'm now back in Canada and I am busy with steady supply work from J/K up to grade 6. I look forward to obtaining a full teaching position soon.

Cindy Phillips Sets Personal Best 205 Lbs Bench Press Five Times

Cindy Phillips reports from her blog:

"Yesterday I did a personal best on Bench press. I did 205lbs for about 5 reps, 3 all on my own and 2 with a some help from my spotter. I Usually work out by myself and so when i rarely have a spotter ill trust with me, those are the only days i go for the big #'s, most of the time stick to weight i can do pretty easily by myself. I was prety happy with that lift. I'm not a consistent bench press kinda person cauz i usually found it to be so hard. My chest is soooo sore, its brutal."

To put her feat in perspective, New Orleans Saints Running Back Reggie Bush was recorded as bench-pressing 225 lbs 32 times; the best of any running back at the NFL Combine last March. This is also a mark set by many top level NFL players. But it's not something they do each day. Cindy's bench press would place her at least at the bottom part of their class because she does work out to do this level of lifting.

All that, and beauty too!

Jo Stewart Wins New Zealand National Bodybuilding Championship - GeneX

Jo Stewart update!, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

GeneX reports:

Jo Stewart has taken the New Zezland National bodybuilding title for the
fifth time and just got 3rd place at the World Masters Champs in Sicily! Jo
has posted a lot of info on her site at:
http://www.muscle-xpo.co.nz/default.htm

Sheila Bleck Posing At The 2006 NPC Nationals In Miami

sbleck, originally uploaded by amproshoot.

Sheila Bleck is shown duing her posing routine at the 2006 NPC Nationals In Miami. She finished in third place in a crowded heavyweight field of star contestants and was one of the favorities to win her class.

Kim Perez Flexes

Love that rock!, originally uploaded by bicepgalfan.

Kim Perez strikes an arresting pose that shows why she's one of the most popular female bodybuilders in America.

Elena Seiple's Memory Of The 2006 NPC Nationals In Miami

This was such a nice and heartfelt post over at GeneX Message Board, I had to post it here for view. The link to the original is the title of this post.

What a GREAT nationals! Let me start by saying that! I felt the show was very well run ...from weigh ins to the finals. It wasn't the best venue that they have had it at but all in all everything went smoothly! Those that run these shows do a fantastic job!

Now...the contest....I want to state here that I was honored to be the first to congratulate DEBI Lazewski on becoming a pro. To take second to a talented and much deserved bodybuilder such as herself was fantastic. Since 1999 when I saw her NOT win I was a fan and have been over the years and she will make a fantastic pro! So CONGRATS to you Debbie! Back stage we knew it was going to be a tough prejudging.... But Debbi I am truly and honestly so HAPPY FOR YOU!!!

Kristy Hawkins...what can I say, just gets better and better every year. Ed and Betty, you did a fantastic job! Congrats! And to you Kristy I was honored to be up there and compared to you as well and compared so thoroughly. The judges did a fantastic job at allowing the LHW class really work for the title. I had the opportunity to converse with Kristy alot as she prepped for the show and if you knew HALF the stuff she was doing with school while training its even more so amazing the conditioning she had on stage.

I have to comment on a few other athletes in my class. Now I didn't know evveryone but everyone seemed great...But I have to make mention of a few as well:

Angie Salvango...you had a great year and its so tough to diet for two shows yet you still looked amazing! Your routine was fun Good luck next year

Holly Gearson....you know I said it to you and to Robin but I was and still am amazed at the changes you made and please do not get discouraged and I want to see you in the top of the class next year!!!!

Last but not least...Amy Neal...Who took 5th in the class....You looked AMAZING!!! I am so happy for you You and your trainer did a fabulous job dialing you in Next year.....

Last but definately not least I have to thank some very very important people in my life who made this nationals the most amazing trip to a national event in my life....

I got in on Wed...came down alone at first. Yet I was taken care of tremendously by two very very important people in my life...Amanda Dunbar and Mimi Jabalee. They went out of their way to take care of me and they did such a wonderful job just doing anything to make sure I didn't stress You guys , I can't say thank you enough and I am so blessed to you have you guys in mylife. SEE YOU IN ATLANTA!!

Justin Harris of TROPONINNUTRITION.com my trainer who has batted 1000 at producing me my 3rd 2nd place finish with him at the helm and my 4th 2nd place finish since 2000. Thank you for your time and your brains

And finally Brad , who was able to join me on Friday, for just supporting me and being there for me and taking care of me Keeping me calm and STRESS FREE !!! You know how much it means to me babe!

I have had such a great time at this show. I am thrilled for all the girls that won!!!! Maybe next time LOL For those of you who know me...know the year that I had prior to this show. I can't complain about what happened in my life , it was a big wakeup call. God just needed to get my attention about a lot of things. Got my head on straight to say the least and allowed me to have a new outlook on life and a new attitude . It carried over into the prep for the nationals and to the show iteself. I surrounded myself by positive people and great friends. I have no regret and am thankful that I had the opportunity to compete. I keep saying God hasn't allowed me to win, to keep me humble! And I can live with that! I have won already in many other ways , I don't need a trophy with first place on it to define my life as a winner!

2006 Miami Women's NPC - Heavyweight Class Score Sheet

HW, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

This is the Heavyweight Class Score Sheet

2006 Miami Women's NPC - Light Heavyweight Class Score Sheet

LHW, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

This is the score sheet for the Light Heavyweight Class courtesy of GeneX

Monika Wieckowski - Mollica

Monika Mollica, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

Monika Wieckowski (Now Mollica) is a Swedish female bodybuilder captured by GeneX while in Miami for the 2006 Women's NPC Championships. The nutritionist has a book available for purchase called "Functional Foods." FitSights has an interview wth this rising star.

Announcing the new Women's Physique World (WPW) site!

Announcing the new WPW site!, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

Women's Physique World, the legendary magazine that gave many women bodybuilders their first exposure to the public, is back. After being out of print since 1995, it's now an online magazine. Check it out with a click on the title of this post!

Lora Ottenad 2006 NPC Champion - Video Of Her Posing

2006 NPC Women's Bodybuilding Champion Lora Ottenad poses here in this video.

Britt Miller At The 2006 Women's NPC Championships

Britt Miller, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

Brit Miller, another pre-contest favorite, placed third in the middleweight category.