Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 20: The NPC Masters Nationals is an event that has a long history dating back to the 80's. In fact the 1987 Masters was held in Everett, Washington, when Shirley Kemper won the women's Masters, while husband John took the men's division. Over the years the contest has produced many outstanding women's winners including Kim Buck in 2006, Debbie Bramwell in 2007 and Gayle Frankie in 2008 – since their victories at the Masters Nationals all three have competed in the Ms. Olympia. Last year's winner Janet Kaufman has also begun to compete on the pro level entering the 2012 Battle of Champions in June.
For the past several years, the contest has been held in Pittsburgh, and this year promoter Gary Udit staged the event at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel Ballroom downtown with the lure of IFBB pro qualification to the winners of the various divisions. In women's bodybuilding, the winners of the three age groups would earn qualification to the pro ranks
The first thoughts of Brazil bring images of the magical color and excitement that surrounds the scenic beaches and the beautiful women who walk the sands of Ipanema and Copacabana. And as a 'people watcher', if the stunning visuals on those beaches don't satiate your appetite for physical beauty, Rio de Janiero's annual Carnival brings millions of people into the streets for a festival that is thought to be the largest in the world. Bodies abound in a constant dance frenzy that lasts for days.
It is from this cultural background that makes Brazil unique in all the world when it comes to breeding a female population the oozes with a vibrant, exotic, intoxicating appeal. And so it is in the world of physical culture where bodybuilding, figure, fitness and bikini displays enjoy a avid fan following.
A Trio Con Brio
With the addition of a new pro Physique division this year three Brazilians are the living, breathing, walking, talking epitome of what Brazil offers when taken a step beyond the casual thong bikini beach goers. KARINA NASCIMENTO, PATRICIA MELLO, and JULIANA MALACARNE each embody the colorful lifestyle from which they came. Aside from the striking overall physical appearance they possess, the trio exudes an intangible presence that causes anyone to take a closer look. They bubble over with magnetism.
Chicago, Illinois, July 6: It was only two days after the big 4th of July celebration nationally, but there were still plenty of fireworks on tap at the inaugural Wings of Strength contest held at the Crown Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center. On many occasions, a new event has gotten off to a slow start from potential competitors sitting back to observe how an event 'fleshes out' in its first go round. Such was not the case here. On the contrary, the Women's Bodybuilding division drew 19 contestants from nine countries, while the Physique division chipped in with 14 entrants of their own.
Teaneck, New Jersey, June 6-7: Now in its 18th year, the annual NPC Team Universe was staged this year at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe, as the two-day event kicked off on Friday with the prejudging of the women's Bodybuilding division, followed on Saturday with the prejudging of the Physique division and finals for both groups in the evening. In addition to the many pro card qualifications offered at this event, the added perk goes to the overall winner of the women's Bodybuilding division earning a trip to the IFBB World Amateur Championships – scheduled for Bialystok, Poland, in October.
This year, pro qualification was being offered to the overall winner of the open Team Universe in bodybuilding, the winners of both the Masters over 35, and Masters over 45 classes in bodybuilding, and the top three in each of the three height classes in the Physique division. Scrambling for 12 available pro cards in these groups were 43 Physique contestants and nine in the Bodybuilding division.
Hartford, Connecticut, June 30: It was a distinctively dynamic dozen that descended on the Connecticut Convention Center for the third annual Battle of Champions, and as most would agree, the 12 contestants entered here made up one of the finest bodybuilding fields – other than the Ms. Olympia and Ms. International – in recent memory. And if you were an avid bodybuilding fan, there was a purist air that enveloped this contest in that the pro division consisted solely of men's and women's bodybuilding.....period. This 'Battle' had an 'old school' feel dating back to the early 90's before the saturation of fitness, figure, bikini and physique had been adopted. It was about muscle of the unbridled kind, and everyone brought their fair share...and then some.
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