Cindy Johnson Overall Winner - 2007 Emerald Cup Winners - GeneX

2007 NPC Emerald Cup, originally uploaded by SSCusp.

Bodybuilding
Overall: Cindy Johnson
Lightweight:
1. Kelly Dobbins
2. Genevieve Moreno
3. E.Q. Pruitt
4. Cindy Goodrich
5. Suzanne Moran
6. Gina Parise
Middleweight:
1. Cindy Johnson
2. Leann George
3. Marga Martin
4. Peggy Willis
5. Vicki Combest
Heavyweight:
1. Becky West
2. Shawna Walker
3. Teresa Knoll
4. Shawn Tan
5. Merry Harris
6. Susan Stone

Masters Bodybuilding
Overall: Janet Guenther
Over 50:
1. Janet Guenther
2. Denise Rathwick
3. Ann Gannon
4. Jeanne Morris
5) Sherry Chambers
Over 35:
1. Nancy Lublink
2. Heidi Young
3. Janice Cook
4. Teresa Maine
5. Diana Frankowiak

Fitness
Overall: Michelle Mayberry
Short
1) Chandra Young
2) Safiya Johnson
3) Genie Markwell
4) Mia Phillips
5) Haleina Desrosier
Tall
1) Michelle Mayberry
2) Vikko Newman
3) Erica Hamilton
4) Kolbie Best
5) Kristina Lum
6) Melissa Mitchell

Figure
Overall: Erin Heath
5'2" and under
1) Shelly Rego-Vega
2) Sherry Smith
3) Hong Arcedas
4) Claire Taubman
5) Julie Ann Lee
6. Tiffany Joe
7. Jessica Nabinger
8. Kari Keenan
9. Diana Kelly
10. Kimberly Lawson
11. Christine Moorman
12. Genevieve Moreno
13. Genie Markwell
14. Jen Turnbull
15. Heidi Riegsecker
16. Danielle Davis
17. Sherill Taduran
18. Melody Miles
19. Darlene Carrigan
20. Desiree Ponsness
5'2" - 5'3"
1) Gale Elie
2) Tara Chandler
3) Lisa Lattery
4) Nicole Weston
5) Sheila Bratten
6. Dion Blackburn
7. Mari Willhite
8. Kathy Fehringer
9. Karen Mayo
10. Kori Byers
5'3" - 5'4"
1) Erin Heath
2) Elsie Huxtable
3) Reagen Brenner
4) Vikko Newman
5) Susanna Backman
6. Ashli Liljenquist
7. Leah Bacon
8. Karla Coe-Specker
9. Allison Malone
10. Elisabeth Yu
5'4" - 5'5"
1) Karin Kimura
2) Austine Powell
3) Danyell Leavitt
4) Kimberly Agnew
5) Kris Isakson
6. Katheryn Stewart
7. Hope Bellar
8. Molly Gillespie
9. Stacy Leith
10. Atiya Olmstead
11. Dionne Burden
5'5" - 5'6"
1) Erica Hamilton
2) Ilona Maj
3) Kari Lege
4) Felicia O'Neal
5) Suzanna Barlas
6. Jodi Beard
7. Joanna Wilson
8. Sanne Moelgaard
9. Rose Fries
10. Amanda Smith
11. Nicole Christy
12. Nicole Shultz
13. Allyson Watts
14. Beth Markham
5'6" - 5'8"
1) Michelle Mayberry
2) Jeanne Nimmer
3) Angela Myers
4) Julie Alves
5) Tonia Francis
6. Linda Nelson
7. Jennifer Rogers
8. Tracy Royer
9. Kelly Weatherman
10. Sheila Salinas
11. Heather Skaar
12. Christine Moore
13. Stephanie Bishop
5'8" and over
1) Christine Aguilar
2) Mary Hallman
3) Mindy Shaneman
4) Emma Callaghan
5) Beth Lay
6. Erica Aydelotte
7. Shanna Tuthill
8. Ainsley Krone
9. Lauren Beckham
10. Nancy Novak
Masters Figure Overall: Tracy Chenault
Masters Figure Over 35
1) Tracy Chenault
2) Shannon O'Day
3) Heidi Hansen-Carlin
4) Heidi Young
5) Paula Williams-Gulman
6) Monica Varrasso
7) Evelynn Johnston
8) Sharyn Sullivan
9) Amy Weimer
10) Rhonda Downing
11) Catalina Illades
Masters Figure Over 40
1) Roberta Orth
2) Shawna Charboneau
3) Laura Kathryn
4) Lori Pliska
5) Lori Baggerly
6) Eileen Quenin
7) Diesta Goldsmith
8) Diane Green
9) Debra McMahon
10) Sherry Christopherso
Masters Figure Over 50
1) EQ Pruitt
2) Robin Gizzi
3) Kathryn Moore
4) Peggy Goldman
5) Staphanie Bonneau-Meece
6) Maureen O'Connell
7) Deanna Benson-Eder
8) Pattie Meyers

Collin Fischer Comparing Guns at Bay to Breakers 2007

Collin Fischer comparing guns at Bay to Breakers 2007, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

This is FBB Collin Fischer, apparently at one of the many parties along the route of the San Francisco Bay to Breakers run, which annually draws between 50,000 and 70,000 people. Her bio says she lives in New York, so she must have flown out for the event.

Here's more about her, from Andy's website:

"I have only done 3 shows I won the NPC New York City Championship Overall in 95, The NPC Atlantic States (Bev Francis) Overall in 96, and then 1st place middleweight in Dallas 97 Nationals. I have been holding out since then for an invitation to the Ms. International which I finally got this year, but l thought with only 7 weeks notice I was unable to participate. I wrote back to Mr. Demilia in hopes of an invitation for this next year but as yet have received no reply. I am currently pursuing my undergrad in Biology and perhaps a minor in Chemistry or Biochemistry at Queens College.

With regard to my training routine, I try to get to the gym at least 5 days a week (unless I have an exam in Organic Chem). Before a contest I often train 7 days a week. It would be rather difficult for me to give you an exact schedule because my strategy is one of constant change. Variety in ones routine is truly the key to success, once your muscles have adapted to something change comes slowly if it comes at all. I recommend changing the exercises each time you train a body part. I also believe strongly that one should train each and every body part with equal intensity (and love), this includes calves forearms neck and lower back which seem often to be overlooked by many enthusiasts. Further, I prefer to train quads ,and then hamstrings and hips with a day break from legs in between. Otherwise you will lose the intensity that these groups demand toward the end of your training session and these groups will lag behind the rest. Finally, it is very important to train hips consistently and properly, I often see many professional bodybuilders who seem to be deficient in these areas. THERE ARE FOUR WAYS TO TRAIN HIPS adduction, abduction, flexion, and extension, it is essential to perform each of these exercises regularly.

I am now bartending at a club called "Infinity" in Long Island City, New York on Thursday and Saturday nights."

Ms. Machine Shows Us How To Wii

The always funny Pro FBB Ms. Machine's into many things, one of them playing with Wii. In her blog , she explains that there are the "top five reasons" to play with your Wii:

5. How else are you going to get some pleasure if you are single?

4. Come on, I live in Philly, it is just too cold to go outside and play baseball. Not only that, but the last time I tried bowling in my thong, I got tossed out!!!???



3. Trust me you won’t go blind.

2. The pre contest diet and cardio is coming up and boxing is just more fun than the stairclimber.

1. Ha ha ha, this thing is sold out everywhere and I had the boys in the store put one aside for me!!!!! I just like to rub this in my guy friends’ faces! Sometimes being a girl helps :)

All of this playful exhibition with Wii caused Cindy Phillips to write.."what a lil cutie u are! Damn nice legs too girl :)"

We agree.

Speaking, er, writing of legs, here's a video of Ms.Machine showing us just how strong they are:

Heather Lee Trains To Be A Strong(er) Woman

Heather Lee's claim to fame is as a female bodybuilder. But lately, she's been training using strongman techniques. She reports on her blog:

Training has been going well....I am training Strongman Style again, and learning the techniques that I had never nailed before. 3 weeks ago I had a great workout with the Strongman crew I train with, doing a 110 pound farmers walk with a 600 pound tire flip medley. I was able to flip the tire on my own 3 times, and was spotted thru another 3 reps. Then I did a 110 pound sandbag load for sets of 15 reps on a platform to mimick the atlas stone event. The week prior I began to learn an axle clean and press, which I finally nailed the form on last week. I feel comfortable on the split stance and have learned the use my legs to make the weight pop....very different from bodybuilding style training which you want to use strict form with planted feet....but I am pretty happy with the progress....you can see some of the pics my good buddy X-tina was kind enough to take for me! :~)

Wow. This from a woman who reportedly once used her legs to lift nine people sitting on a couch, or over 1,000 pounds! How much stronger will she get? Who knows?

Jody May Celebrated On National Girls and Women in Sports Day

Professional Female Bodybuilder Jody May was celebrated on National Girls and Women in Sports Day by her alma mater Odessa College. She even got placed over my friend Gil Brandt of NFL.com and the Dallas Cowboys!

"Jody May is one of our own, a 1998 graduate of Odessa College with an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences. After Odessa College Jody went on to become a Professional bodybuilder were she competed in many bodybuilding and fitness competitions over the years. Some of her accomplishments include finishing 1st in the Ronnie Coleman Classic (national qualifier) in the novice heavyweight division in 2003. She also finished 1st in the Southwest USA (national qualifier) in the open heavyweight division and was the overall winner in 2004. Jody has since gone on and competed at the national bodybuilding championships were she finished 11th overall in the heavyweight division in 2004. Jody is currently working as a Physical Therapist Assistant and continuing to compete as a Professional Bodybuilder."

BLOWW - Boston League Of Women Wrestlers - Body Slam

IMG_1096, originally uploaded by bostonleagueofwomenwrestlers.

This is a photo from the video in the previous post on BLOWW. Here, the "nurse girl"s got her opponent -- I'm not up on the character names -- up in the air and is spinning her around.

BLOWW - Boston League Of Women Wrestlers - These Women Wreslers AreRough and Tough

bloww4.JPG, originally uploaded by sgrafman.

I somehow ran accross this crazy photo and had to stop in my Internet tracks. If you look at this, the very scene implies an episode that's both brutal and somehow attractive as they're a couple of women who look fine depending on one's taste and are really going at it. It seems like the woman who has the girl-with-fishnets foot in her hands is getting the best of her, and if one goes through the entire photo shoot, they find this to be true.

I then learned this was caled The Boston League Of Women Wrestlers , or BLOWW.

So I decided to see if there was a video of BLOWW action on YouTube and -- YouTube seldom disappoints -- there was. I have to tell you this video you're about to see shows two women just going at it like the most action-packed WWE events, accept it doesn't look fake at all. They fiercely go at each other, picking each other up, spinning the other around and bodyslamming each other. And for guys -- ok it's a turn on to watch it, I gotta admit that openly.

Steve Wennerstrom talking to pros Amanda Dunbar and Mimi Jabalee and Genex

Steve, originally uploaded by hansk01.

This is the man who started it all. Steve Wennerstrom talking to pros Amanda Dunbar and Mimi Jabalee and Genex in the picture popularized female bodybuilding with his Women's Physique World Magazine. It was the first publication exclusively devoted to women's bodybuilding.

Tamela Jackson Wins The 2007 California Bodybuilding Championship

Tamela Jackson, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

Tamela Jackson Wins The 2007 California Bodybuilding Championship in Culver City, CA.

Tamela posted this about her at GeneX forums; there's no website for her as of this writing.

I started looking at others & thought I would share a brief bit of info about me. I love to train hard in the gym- was brought up in the bodybuilding world training with guys (especially my husband) & still can hang with the guys in the gym today! I have always been into sports- basketball, gymnastics, dancing, etc.

If you see me in the gym don't be offended if I do not say much- I come there to train- & train hard! I am from West Virginia & have always dreamed of moving to California! I am living my dream & loving every minute of it. I am currently training at Milos Sarcev's gym in Fullerton, CA & he has been guiding me in prepping for the California State Championships. I have trained with many IFBB pro men- Hidetada Yamigishi, Silvio Saviour & train with Oscar Urbina- aka Big O who is a crazy fun guy who has been also giving me advice for the upcoming show! What a crazy group of guys that is called Team Milos. Great fun there & so much I have learned. I am soooo glad I moved out here & am dedicated to kicking some butt at the Cal States!

So thank you for your support & hopefully James & I will plan some action shots in the gym! Where the real work happens!!! xoxox Tammy

Kris Murrell At The Arnold Classic By Hans

Kris Murrell @ the Arnold, originally uploaded by hansk01.

Kris Murell is a female bodybuilder from Georgia and Director of Personal Training, Cory Everson’s Fitness for Women. The video below captures her great legs and quad development.

Stephanie Park Shows Abs In And Muscle - Video

This interesting video shows Steph Park showing off her abs to someone in an office -- somewhere.

Yaxeni Oriquen By Lori Braun

yaxeni-oriquen_class act always, originally uploaded by loribraun.

Aspiring actress Yaxeni Oriquen is captured in this arresting photo by Lori Braun. Venezuelan-born, Oriquen reportedly lives in Florida. She's one of the most popular FBBs in the world. Visit her site at Yaxeni.com

Oakland's Kelly Dobbins By GeneX

Kelly Dobbins, originally uploaded by genexmagazine.

I've known Kelly for some time, going all the way back to when she worked out at Gold's Gym in Oakland, and then to when she and her husband set up their own gym not far away. She's a great lady. Here's her bio from her website:

Kelly Dobbins is a competitor you may recognize from her many appearances in Women's Physique World as one of Al Murch's favorite women to profile from the Bay Area of Northern California. Although it is in California, the Bay Area is much different from Southern California, but there are many impressive physique athletes suchs as Ms. Dobbins from the region better known for it wine production.
"I started weight training about 15 years ago, just for basic toning and conditioning. When I started to see how my body reacted, I started to take it a step further and people started to tell me that I should compete, so I did and started doing very well in the AAU," says Dobbins.

Her beginnings were much like many bodybuilders and she quickly fell in love with the results she was seeing. "More mature muscle started happening and I switched over to NPC and started doing even better with the right trainers and nutritionists - plus I loved the strict discipline it required and taking my body to the limit!!

"My goal is to do the Nationals next year (2000), but not to go pro. It's a must that each time I compete that it is evident that my body has greatly improved!!! I will not step on stage if I look the same as the last contest! It is very important to me that I get positive feedback from the judges each time I compete, but I can also take constructive criticism. I love to go up against strong competition, it makes me feel like I really earned my victory!" Dobbins adds.

With her grounded outlook, Dobbins sees no reason to push too hard to turn pro. Knowing what it takes to compete at the highest levels and the urrent evolution of the sport do not concide with her agenda.


"I really appreciate and respect the Pros because I know all the hard and grueling training and dieting that goes into it, however I want to keep my femininity and you have to be enhanced, which I have no desire to take that path," she adds. So what path does Dobbins want to take? It's not quite clear where she'll net out, but with the continued support of her friends and relatives, there's no telling.
Even through the crazy holiday season, Dobbins was staying focused. "I stay in pretty good shape in the off season, I keep my body fat around 11 or 12%, I still do my cardio and my training, I just dont diet strictly, but I still watch what I eat. I enjoy life a little more. Nice dinners, great wine and dancing! I love salsa dancing. I've taken quite a few group and private Salsa lessons," she adds. When not dancing or going out, Dobbins focuses intensely on her training which includes lifts such as 750 lb. leg presses, 35 lb. dumbell bicep curls, 50 lb. dumbell shoulder presses, and squats with 225 lbs. among others.





"I've been blessed with very wonderful and close friends whom I love to spend time with! I'm also currently taking private wrestling several times a week which I'm getting a huge kick out of. I'm really enjoying myself with this!!!! I have a wonderful husband who is my trainer and my nutritionist and also supports me in my wrestling." The wrestling Dobbins refers to is with Virago, also out of Oakland, California.

Recently profiled on the front cover of one of San Francisco's weekly papers, the Guardian, her wrestling career has been growing rapidly, but not at the expense of her bodybuiding career. "Contest time becomes a little tough because we become more business and we both know what it takes to get the job done - he's really tough on me! I get nothing but positive reponses from him, my friends and family, they are so proud of me!" And there is much to be proud of and if her career continues along the same path it has been, keep an eye out for Kelly Dobbins as she'll surely be causing a stir on the national stage soon.