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Check out this image of Dianna Dahlgren in the newest Muscle & Fitness issue. Double-D shows how to look fit and sexy. Nice job Dianna!
Dianna provides our weekly modeling tip of the week. Look for Dianna on stage later this month at the MuscleContest Pro Bikini show.
Thanks to Andrea Wilson for the assist on the image.
The first IFBB Pro Bikini contest in the United States is quickly approaching. We’ll be there covering the action and reporting on the event. The competitor list continues to grow and it’s shaping up to be a great lineup. If you’re not on the list and plan on competing, send in your contract NOW. The sooner we know who is in the event the better we can do at profiling competitors and generating more interest in this event.
Event Details:
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium
Culver City, CA
Prejudging: 11am
Finals: 6:30pm
More info visit: www.musclecontest.com
IFBB Pro Bikini Competitor List:
Dianna Dahlgren
Jennifer Dietrick
Sonia Gonzales
Carol King
Leigh Lingham
Christie Marquez
Natalie Pennington
Zhanna Rotar
Ron Avidan was backstage capturing all the action for bodybuilding.com at the 2010 Arnold Amateur Bikini contest. Check out the photos here.
PRESS RELEASE
Chady Dunmore is the overall winner of the second Arnold Amateur NPC Bikini Championship
COLUMBUS, OH – Chady Dunmore of Roseville, California the overall winner of the Arnold Amateur NPC Bikini Championship competition that was held as a part of the Arnold Sports Festival 2010. There were 89 athletes competing in the second year of this event, more than double the number of contestants over the previous year.
In the Bikini Short Class, Annette Perry of Natick, Massachusetts took 1st place and won a Tony Nowak jacket and a one year subscription to Posedown Magazine presented by Bob Johnson.
Rounding out the top five Bikini Short Class competitors were:
2nd place: Michelle Cagle, Tampa, Florida
3rd place: Nastin Mynuna, Montreal, Canada
4th place: Mandi Fanelli, Lakewood, California
5th place: Jessica Kenney, Boston, Massachusetts
In the Bikini Medium Class, Noemi Olah of Hungary took 1st place and won a Tony Nowak jacket and a one year subscription to Posedown Magazine presented by Bob Johnson.
Rounding out the top five Bikini Medium Class competitors were:
2nd place: Nicole Moneer-Guerrero, Schaumberg, Illinois
3rd place: Jennifer Norden, Lexington, Kentucky
4th place: Michaela Stentz, Memphis, Tennessee
5th place: Jessica Halbert, Arlington, Virginia
In the Bikini Tall Class, Chady Dunmore of Roseville, California, took 1st place and won a Tony Nowak jacket and a one year subscription to Posedown Magazine presented by Bob Johnson. As the overall winner, she also won an Arnold VIP Ticket Package and a House of Pain gym bag.
The other top five Bikini Tall Class competitors were:
2nd place: Kristal Martin, Montclair, New Jersey
3rd place: Hilary Jones, Camarillo, California
4th place: Nathalie Mur, Quebec, Canada
5th place: Kristin Barber, Holly, Michigan
NPC Kristal Martin is heading into her first bikini competition this weekend at the Arnold Amateur Bikini event. Check out what she has to say about the switch from Figure.
Name:
Kristal Martin
Reside:
Montclair, NJ
Number of NPC Shows & Results:
2006 East Coast Tournament of Champions, Washington DC – 2nd place tall division
2006 Bodyrock – 8th place tall division
What made you make the switch from figure to bikini?
I stopped competing back in 2006 – I knew that if I was ever going to compete on the National level I would have to put on A LOT more muscle, which is something I just wasn’t wanting or willing to do. It was a personal choice for me to stop competing in figure. When I found out that there is a new bikini division – I immediately jumped on the idea of competing again. I’ve always trained hard and dieted, but I want to take it to the next level and push myself harder – I love having a specific date/show I have to get ready for – SO motivating!
Some people think bikini has no place on the competition stage and is nothing more than a T & A show. What do you have to say about that?
I’d simply have to tell people to not generalize or stereotype the girls who compete in the bikini division. Are there some girls who present themselves poorly on stage and give bikini a bad name? Sure – that goes with any of the divisions. But there are a lot of really amazing women out there who are competing who obviously train hard and embody everything a healthy, beautiful and strong woman should be. Its really disheartening to hear all the girl-on-girl bashing sometimes. I think we should support one another, no matter the division we compete in. Up and coming bikini girls and also the current pros should carry themselves with grace and respect for themselves and others. Be a great ambassador for the bikini division and prove to all the “haters” out there that you DESERVE to be on that stage – that you’ve trained hard and you have the right attitude. The bikini division is a great platform for girls to compete – for girls who bust their ass in the gym, yet simply don’t have the muscle size that girls in other divisions may have. If it was just a T&A show I would have never considered competing in it. Bikini is so new – I think everyone is still trying to figure out what the expectations are and what the judges are looking for. I have faith that the NPC/IFBB will make positive progress in the bikini division in 2010 and it will continue to grow in popularity – promoting healthy, beautiful, conditioned women who inspire others.
You used to be a teacher, right? Kinda dispels the myth that all bikini competitors are dumb, eh?
Yes, I used to be a high school English teacher. I graduated from the University of South Florida back in 2004 with my B.A. in English Education. Although I loved teaching, I decided to pursue other interests and I am now a small business owner in New Jersey. I can assure you I’m no dummy – bikini or not, I’m an intelligent young woman with class. I’ll school anyone who thinks otherwise – bring it! 
Why the Arnold Amateur contest?
Go big or go home! I wanted my first show to be the BIGGEST show – win or lose I know I’ll learn so much from the experience!
As a gym owner, what’s the biggest mistake you see women face when working out?
Its so frustrating to see women QUIT. They join the gym, bust their asses, but then they slowly fall off and stop coming. They’ll spend a weekend eating like crap, feel guilty, feel fat, and then just get stuck in a rut. They stop coming to workout and just continue on a downward spiral. If you mess up your diet – FINE! It happens sometimes! If you miss a few days at the gym – FINE! Sometimes “life” gets in the way. The most important thing is to pick yourself back up and push forward. Don’t cry over spilled milk, don’t dwell on the mistakes – learn and move on.
How has it been working with Mike Davies for your prep?
I would never work with anyone else. I started working with Mike back in 2005 when I was competing in figure. As soon as I decided to start competing again in the bikini division, I immediately reached out to him. I have so much respect for him and all the girls who work with him – he is so knowledgable and his no-nonsense approach is something I respect immensely.
Any supplements on the Martin Must have list?
Glutamine!
Goal for Thursday’s show?
Uhh…to win the entire thing….DUH! LOL
My biggest challenge will be overcoming my stage fright. I am the type of person who LOVES the training and dieting leading up to a show – but HATE being on stage! I’m a very laid back and shy girl around strangers – so if I can come out of my shell and bring my swag to the stage…I’ll be happy.
GOOD LUCK!
We’ll see you there. The Amateur bikini show takes place this Thursday in Columbus, Ohio.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Figure & Fitness Prejudging & Bikini FINALS
7-10 p.m.
Veterans Memorial
Visit: arnoldsportsfestival.com for more info.
This is great news for all bikini competitors! The 2011 Arnold Classic will officially add the new pro bikini division to the festival.
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Arnold Sports Festival, the largest multi-sport festival in the nation and home of the prestigious Arnold Classic since 1989, will add a professional bikini competition to its lineup of IFBB-sanctioned professional competitions in 2011.
The Bikini International will join a lineup of International Federation of Body Building events that also includes the Ms. International, Fitness International and Figure International competitions that draw elite professional fields to Columbus each March.
“We are very aware of the growing popularity of professional bikini competitions and are proud to offer the world’s top pros the opportunity to compete at the Arnold Sports Festival in 2011,” event co-promoter Jim Lorimer said. “Like all of our professional events, we will strive to make the Bikini International the most sought-after championship of its kind in the world.”
There are 13 professional bikini competitions on the IFBB Professional League schedule in 2010. In addition, the Arnold Amateur IFBB International Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure and Bikini Championships has attracted more than 100 competitors for its Amateur Bikini competition to be held on Thursday, March 4 in Columbus. The winner of the 2010 Amateur Bikini will be invited to the 2011 Bikini International if that competitor earns a pro card in the next year.
The 2010 Arnold Sports Festival – which features 18,000 athletes from more than 75 nations competing in 44 sports and events – will be held March 4-7, 2010. Ms. International, Fitness International and Figure International competitions will be held on Friday, March 5 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Veterans Memorial. The 22nd annual Arnold Classic will be held on Saturday, March 6 at Veterans Memorial. The Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure & Bikini Championships will be held March 4-5 at Veterans Memorial and March 6 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com for more information. Tickets to all events are available at www.ticketmaster.com/arnold.
I just booked my flight to the IFBB MuscleContest Pro Bikini Championships… have you?
The first (technically there is one slated for New Zealand before it) IFBB Bikini Pro show will take place on March 27, 2010 in Culver City, California. I know a number of women have said they are planning to compete in this contest but only two have sent in their contracts thus far. Sure, it’s more than a month away but PLEASE ladies if you know you’re doing the show… Send in your contract. If you want to see the industry and fans support the new Pro Bikini division we need you to commit and participate. Jon Lindsay does a tremendous job with his events and glad he added this to his show.
Purchase your tickets to the show and get more information about the event by visiting musclecontest.com.
IFBB MuscleContest 2010 Pro Bikini Championship
March 27, 2010 Culver City, California
Event Hotel:
Radisson Westside
6161 West Centinela Avenue
Culver City CA 90230-6306 Reservations: 310-649-1776
Mention www.musclecontest.com For Discount
TICKETS:
Saturday, March 27th at 11:00am – Prejudging $30 open seating
Saturday, March 27th at 6:30pm – Finals $30/$40 all seats reserved
Discounted ticket prices for Children, Seniors and ACTIVE Military. (Must show military ID at box office.)
Children that will NOT occupy a seat are free.
Available for purchase at box office only.
Gia Allemand was one of the first winners of the NPC Bikini division. She won the short class last year at the Arnold Classic but lost the overall to former UFC Octagon girl Ali Sonoma. One year later, Gia is in the national spotlight as one of the women on the popular ABC show, THE BACHELOR. Tonight’s show was full of drama and in the end, Gia made it one step closer to winning Jake’s (the bachelor) heart. She’s in the final three… will she make it all the way to the end?
Here’s a look at Gia one year ago at the Arnold Amateur Bikini event.
IFBB Bikini Pro Dianna Dahlgren continues to turns heads outside of the fitness world. This time she’s featured on MAXIM.com as one of the “sexy girls of supercross”. If you’re in Anaheim this weekend check out the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, where Dianna and several other lovely ladies will be at.
Dianna Dahlgren featured on MAXIM.com’s homepage today.
IFBB Pro Alicia Marie is no stranger to getting a little Hollywood ink. This time she isn’t being linked to any scandalous activity or appearing in any retro gym ads.
Alicia Marie signing autographs for her fans.
(note the jugger in the background.)
Her name appears in the January 11, 2010 issue of US WEEKLY magazine for helping former beauty queen Shanna Moakler shed some weight. Shanna is the ex-wife of the kick ass drummer Travis Barker. She credits a Alicia Marie as her trainer and said she, “worked like an animal!”
Alicia tells me she will be making the transition from the Figure division into the new IFBB Pro Bikini division. Look for her to be on stage this Spring.
Today Affliction clothing is offering 25% off all their SINFUL Hooded Sweatshirts with a special promo code. IFBB Bikini Pro Dianna Dahlgren is the featured model for the promo that’s sure to be seen by thousands of fans. Props to Dianna for her continued success in the modeling world.
There are many people conducting posing seminars, workshops and camps related to the new NPC bikini division. While some are certainly qualified others have yet to show that they are qualified to speak on the matter. So, why not take a few tips from someone who has a proven track record for success? Check out this quick bikini posing video from the 2009 overall Team Universe winner, Missy Coles. Missy demonstrates how she approaches the stage and provides some helpful tips for bikini posing. Missy trains under the watchful eye of Team Bombshell.
Check out more videos on bodybuilding.com.
The first NPC Bikini contest took place at the Arnold Amateur event last year in Columbus, Ohio. Gia Allemand won the short class but ended up being bested by former UFC Octagon girl Ali Sonoma for the overall crown. The win for Gia wasn’t without controversy from those in attendance. Now, she’ll battle controversy of another kind on ABC’s The Bachelor. The two hour season debut of the show aired tonight. Any Hardbody readers watch this show? If you do and happen to see Gia, please comment below.
Arnold Bikini Short Class Winner Gia Allemand
Contestant on ABC’s The BACHELOR
Good news for bikini competitors in Canada. The following note was posted on http://www.cbbf.ca.
The CBBF is very excited to announce that an additional IFBB Professional League card will be provided at the 2010 CBBF Natural Physique Championships, being held in Laval, QC and promoted by our good friend Joe Spinello.
At our 2009 AGM it was unanimously passed that an IFBB Pro card be provided to the overall Body Fitness (FIGURE) champion and the overall FITNESS champion. After conversations with the promoter and the CBBF executive the additional IFBB Pro card will be provided to the overall BIKINI champion.
However, it will be up to the provincial associations to determine whether the bikini athletes may enter this event, as some do have qualifying events for bikini athletes.
The bikini division, as of yet, is not an IFBB Amateur Worlds category, so this division is being added to the Natural Physique Championships to provide the opportunity for athletes who are entering this sport to participate for an IFBB Pro card.
I’m not totally clear on how it all works in Canada but with an additional pro card being awarded more women will have the opportunity to become an IFBB Pro.
Monique Minton heats things up in these FLEXonline.com images. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Monique Minton provides a little holiday heat.
The next time you see Nathalia Moreira on a competitive stage it won’t be the NPC. She competed and won the overall bikini title at the NPC Ft. Lauderdale show in October. Due to her current citizenship Nathalia is unable to enter a national level NPC event. Nathalia petitioned the IFBB Professional League office to receive her IFBB Pro card because of her citizenship situation. The IFBB Pro League office contacted the IFBB Brazilian representatives and everything was approved. After careful consideration, IFBB Professional League Chairman Jim Manion granted Nathalia IFBB Pro League status.
Nathalia goes koo-koo over the news of her IFBB Pro Card!
When I asked Nathalia how she felt about the news she enthuastically shared, “Are you kidding me?! This is the best Christmas gift! I can’t tell you how happy I am to be an IFBB Pro.” Nathalia has her sights set on the Orlando IFBB Europa Show of Champions as her pro debut in the new bikini division. She’ll then pack her bags and compete in the IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Bikini event in May.
Pick up the newest FLEX magazine to read more about this rising star in the bikini division. You can also see a few photos of Nathalia currently featured on FLEXonline.com.
The 2009 FLEXonline.com Bikini Model Search winner, Amanda Latona is featured in the current issue of FLEX magazine. Fans of the Amanda can now get more in every issue of FLEX via her new column, “Ask Amanda”. Got a question you’d like her to answer? You can send it off to AskAmanda@flexmagazine.com and you might see her answer you in an upcoming issue. Check out FLEXonline.com for more information on the new column. Congratulations Amanda.
Nathalia Moreira is one woman you’ll be seeing a lot more of in 2010. She won her first NPC show (the Ft. Lauderdale NPC Bikini overall) and is currently profiled in the newest FLEX magazine, on shelves now. Nathalia is not only beautiful but she is also one of the funniest, most upbeat women you’ll meet. You can see more of this Brazilian beauty on FLEXonline.com. The photos were taken by yours truly in Ft. Lauderale, Florida.
Nathalia rock’n it in Florida.
IFBB Bikini Pro Monique Minton finds herself on yet another cover. The newest cover added to her resume is the February 2010 issue of Muscle & Fitness. She does have the share the cover with rapper 50 cent but I she’s not complaining about that. The issue hits shelves this week. Congrats Monique.
Check out IFBB Bikini Pro Kristal Marshall lay’n the smack down on TNA Wrestling. “When I a bark that man over there he bites,” Kristal says in the video. The man she is referring to is TNA wrestler and MMA fighter, Bobby Lashley. Again I ask you, who says bikini competitors aren’t tough?
Thanks to J.M. for the video link.
IFBB Pro Julie Lohre has just released a new posing guide for bikini competitors. Julie not only competes in the IFBB but she also trains a number of women for competitions. When asked why she put out a Bikini Posing DVD Julie shared, “With this new division I am having so many women contacting me that want to get involved, but do not really know what it is all about. The DVD takes you step-by-step through a Bikini show. Everything from what the judges are looking for to suit selection to tanning to the model walk and how to pose. There are tons of photos and videos that demonstrate the specifics of Bikini. My goal is to give women the information they need to decide if Bikini is right for them and if it is, to walk on stage posed and confident.”
Julie tells me that her Figure Posing DVD has received tremendous feedback over the year and hopes to do the same with this one. The DVD is 26 minutes long and covers a variety of topics. “Competing and teaching are my passions and I love sharing my experience and knowledge with other women. I want to take away the guess work and provide as much information as possible,” Julie shared. The DVD is available on JulieLohre.com. Check back soon as we’ll be giving away a few of these DVDs exclusively on HARDBODY.com.
Check out the trailer for the new DVD.
Ah bikini how we all love it so, right? Meh. If someone was seeing their first NPC bikini competition during last night’s prejudging and walked away disappointed, I wouldn’t blame them. Generally speaking, this was probably the most lackluster showing from the bikini division of the year. There were a few exceptions but few took the stage and wowed the judges, at least in my opinion. Some women tried a little too hard. Twirling your hair with your finger, while posing… looks tacky and I wouldn’t recommend it. Flipping your hair and looking like you are about to mount a pole, again tacky.
Again generally speaking, there were a number of small booties. While that’s not a bad thing it wasn’t a great thing either. A number of women could benefit from hitting the squat rack. I would rather see too small of butts than flabby ones on stage.
It wasn’t all bad and let me stress these are only my opinions. I’ve seen a number of bikini shows on the national and regional stages. There are a number of very fit, attractive bikini competitors in the NPC. There were a few women who caught my attention but I think I can count them on one hand at this show. I won’t hammer the bikini competitors from this show any longer.
Here’s how I had the classes from my press seat. These are only MY OPINIONS and not actual results or the opinions of the judges. I’ve been wrong before and I’m sure I’ll be proven wrong again tomorrow. We’ll find out how I do in my placings tomorrow night.
Bikini A:
1) Trina Goosby
2) Kelly Gonzalez
3) Janice Gunderson
Bikini B:
1) Michelle Cagle
2) Keva Matovina
3) Erica Reder
4) Andrea Carpinelli
5) Toniann Rotante
Bikini C:
1) Vanessa Prebyl
2) Alea Suarez
3) Megan Zumpano
4) Ami Seier
5) Christina Giese
Bikini D:
1) Brittany O’Conner
2) Tisha DesMarteau
3) Tianna Ta
4) Chelsie Beanblossom
5) Tonya McCort
Bikini E:
1) Alison Rosen
2) Michelle Maxwell
3) Ellen Beckner
4) Michelle Hanson
5) Jessica Anderson
Bikini F:
1) Stefanie Lindsey
2) Meredith Long
3) Rhiannon Genov
4) Cynthia Kidd
5) Lisa Bockwell
The finals will take place tomorrow night. See ya there!
This weekend we’ll see who’ll be crowned the first NPC Bikini National Champion. Along with the title, the overall bikini winner will be featured in an upcoming issue of Muscle & Fitness Hers and a chance at the cover. This is a huge opportunity for one lucky winner.
The show takes place on November 20-21, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information on the contest visit, nationalbodybuilding.com. We’ll see ya there!
There are two more IFBB Female events left in 2009 but already many plans are being made for 2010. The first IFBB Pro Bikini contest was thought to be taking place during the ARNOLD Classic weekend however that is NOT the case. The first IFBB Pro Bikini contest will be held on March 27, 2010 in Culver City, California.
The poster and information for this event is already out for all IFBB Bikini Pros. Visit www.musclecontest.com for more information on this and other southern California events.
I am convinced there is something in the water of Florida. Heading into the 2009 NPC season, I expected California to lead the pack with top bikini competitors. Cali you’re getting whooped by Florida in that department. Maybe the ladies in Cali are too busy trying to be actresses. I kid. Florida is leading the pack with the hottest bikini competitors and there are no signs of that slowly down.
Need further proof?
Check out Lonnie Teper’s Rising Stars with Jessica Anderson in the newest IRONMAN magazine (December 2009 issue). Jessica is a part of the United States Navy and still finds time to prepare for a contest. She finished second at the NPC Europa Show in Orlando earlier this year and has her sights set on NPC Nationals next month.
I met Jess at this year’s Arnold and her personality matched her striking looks. Unfortunately, we only had about 10 minutes to shoot in Orlando but we able to get a few images like this one. Proof that being a good model and not being a diva can pay off.
Jessica in the newest IRONMAN magazine.
Good luck Jessica, we’ll see ya in Ft. Lauderdale in a couple weeks.
You’ve seen Kristal Marshall mentioned on this site a few times. She took home the overall bikini trophy at this year’s NPC USA contest and was runner-up earlier at the innagural bikini event. Now she’s adding another title to her list of accomplishments. Kristal tells me she has signed on with TNA wrestling. You might recall Kristal was a WWE diva before jumping into the fitness world. Now she’ll look to do both. You can catch Kristal and her man Bobby Lashley on SPIKE TV this Thursday night. Congrats on the continued success Kristal!
Kristal and Bobby return to wrestling. This time it’s with TNA Wrestling.
Muscle & Fitness recently featured a few women of TNA in their magazine. Check out some of the photos from the shoot here.
I caught up with Missy Coles after her win at the NPC Team Universe event. Missy talks about practicing her bikini posing and how she got her start in competing. Missy won the overall bikini title and is now an IFBB Bikini Pro.
Check out more Team Universe video interviews here.
If you picked up the newest copy of Muscle & Fitness Hers and checked out my monthly colum (TWIST & TURNS) this is old news to you. Those of you who haven’t picked up the mag, what are you waiting for? A piece of info we shared in the monthly column should serve as a little more motivation for all you NPC bikini competitors out there.
Next month in Fort Lauderdale, Florida the NPC will crown its first-ever NPC Bikini Nationals Champion. The overall NPC bikini winner will be featured in an upcoming issue of HERS, along with a chance to grace the cover. This is a huge opportunity for all NPC bikini competitors. If you haven’t sent in your entry to compete now would be a good time to do so. The show takes place on November 20-21, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale. For more information on the contest visit, nationalbodybuilding.com. We’ll see ya there!
IFBB Pro Sonia Gonzales is hanging up her figure suit and saying so long the the competitive figure stage. Hold up, she’s not leaving IFBB competition.
The brown-eyed beauty has decided to make the transition from Pro Figure to Pro Bikini in 2010. When I asked Sonia what her thoughts were about the move she shared, “I’m really excited about my new venture. I think bikini is the right fit for me.” I’d have to agree that bikini does appear to be a better fit for Sonia, at least in the way we’ve seen the judging go as of late in the NPC shows. Will Sonia be rock’n the scrunchy bottoms in her debut? “Of course and for the next few months I’ll be working closely with my trainer and nutritionist, Kim Oddo, on changing my physique into a more streamlined bikini look,” she shared.
We look forward to seeing ya show’n some sass in the bikini division next year. Good luck Sonia!
FLEXonline.com takes you backstage at their bikini model search contest. See what the scene looked like from behind the curtain at this event. Photos are posted here.
FLEX Bikini Model Search Winners.
