Only a select handful of women qualify to compete at Olympia Weekend – pouring their sweat and energy into the gym in hopes of making it to the Super Bowl of bodybuilding. These women will grace the stage at the 51st Olympia at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas this weekend. On the women’s side, Olympia covers four categories: fitness Olympia, figure Olympia, bikini Olympia, and women’s physique showdown. Find out what inspired these ladies to get into competitive bodybuilding and how they’re progressing ahead of competition day.Tune into the live webcast for each category:Bikini Olympia Finals – Friday, September 18 at 7:00 P.M.Fitness Olympia Finals – Friday, September 18 at 7:00 P.M.Figure Olympia Finals – Saturday, September 19 at 7:00 P.M. 212 Showdown Finals – Saturday, September 19 at 7:00 P.M.
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Fitness Olympia: Bethany Cisternino
As well as being a full-time high school biology teacher and coaching gymnastics, Bethany Cisternino competes as an IFBB fitness pro for fun. And she’s good at it too – placing third in the Arnold Classic in 2013 and seventh at Mr. Olympia in 2011. According to this Jersey girl’s Tweets, she’s ready for the big stage. SEE ALSO >>>Yoga Poses For Weight Loss
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Fitness Olympia: Tanji Johnson
Our current cover model’s first win was at the 2002 Toronto Fitness Classic, and this will be the 13th time she’ll grace the stage at Olympia. Johnson has been competing for 17 years, and loves every aspect about it. It was at the U.S. Air Force academy where she gained discipline, confidence, and a hard work ethic – all skills that are need to get to the biggest bodybuilding competition of them all.To find out how our cover model stays so fit, check out her workout.
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Fitness Olympia: Oksana Grishina
From the age of seven, Oksana was hungry for competition – taking rhythmic gymnastic classes and placing third in her first competition. She went on to earn a degree in Physical Training and Sports and she was motivated by a friend to give competitive bodybuilding a try. She quickly worked her way to the top of competitive fitness in Russia, being awarded the “Best Non-Olympic Sportswoman of the Year” in 2005 and 2006. She eventually won an IFBB pro title to compete in the 2007 Olympia. Since then, she has placed highly in the fitness category for the Arnold Classic and IFBB Olympia; last year she took home first place for her category at Olympia and placed first at the Arnold Classic this year.SEE ALSO >>>Total-Body Pole Workout
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@4luvoffitness Instagram
Fitness Olympia: Michelle Blank
Continuing with the gymnastics theme, Michelle Blank was a gymnast from 11 to 17—competing as a level nine in USA gymnastics. She retired from the sport at 17, but got back into it in 2006. Blank began training for fitness competitions in 2009 – starting off in the NPC Junior National Championships where she placed first. It’s been two years since Blank has graced the stage – placing 10th back in 2013. Photo Credit: @4luvoffitness Instagram
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@nicolemwilkins Instagram
Figure Olympia: Nicole Wilkins
Nicole fell in love with the sport after she attended her first Arnold Classic in 2002. Growing up, Wilkins was a competitive gymnast for 12 years, and always had a strong interest in health and fitness. She has placed first in the figure category for Olympia the past two years in a row – striving for another win this year. From her Instagram, she’s been putting several hours in the gym carving out her abs. Photo Credit: @nicolemwilkins Instagram
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@oooooohlala Instagram
Figure Olympia: Latorya Watts
She placed first in this year’s IFBB New York Pro and placed fifth in the IFBB Arnold Classic Australia. As for Olympia last year, she finished in fifth place for her category. Her Instagram posts have indicated that slowly, but surely she’ll be ready for this year’s competition. Photo Credit: @oooooohlala Instagram
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Figure Olympia: Candice Keene
It was 2005 when Candice started to have a strong interest in fitness and nutrition. She constantly watched what she was eating and put a significant amount of time in the gym, eventually competing in her first figure competition in 2008. Candice walked away from the event with first place for her category. As for this year, Candice placed first in the 2015 IFBB New York Pro, fifth in the 2015 IFBB Arnold Classic Australia, and fourth in the 2015 IFBB Arnold Sports Festival. Last year at Olympia, Candice placed fifth for her category. According to her Instagram, this fit chick is pumped and ready to compete. SEE ALSO >>> The Secret To… Ripped Abs
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@icandylewis Instagram
Figure Olympia: Candice Lewis
Originating from Arizona, Candice Lewis grew up around sports – running track and cross country in school and cheering on her school’s varsity squad. It was then when she was introduced to lifting, which soon became a focal point – pushing her to become a role model for her nine younger siblings. This year, she placed third in her category at the IFBB Arnold Classic Australia and second in the IFBB Arnold Sports Festival. At Olympia last year, Candice placed third in her category. According to her Instagram, she’s excited to be at Olympia this year with her Arizona family cheering her on.SEE ALSO >>>The Secret To… Sexy ShouldersPhoto Credit: @icandylewis Instagram
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@janetlayug Instagram
Bikini Olympia: Janet Layug
This fit mom is gearing up to grace the Olympia stage this year. For the bikini category this year, Janet placed first in the IFBB New Zealand Pro and the IFBB Arnold Classic Australia. In regards to Olympia, Janet placed first in her category last year. Photo Credit: @janetlayug Instagram
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Per Bernal
Bikini Olympia: Tawna Eubanks
Tawna is no stranger to a stage, growing up she competed in pageants regularly and entered local bikini contents when she moved to Dallas at the age of 19. She got into competing because of a former event judge and personal trainer, Greg McCoy. After rising to the top of the NPC circuit, Eubanks earned her pro title. She placed fourth in the IFBB Dallas Pro this year and third in the IFBB Orange County Muscle Classic Pro. As for Olympia, she placed eighth last year in her category. SEE ALSO >>> How To Burn More Calories In Less Time and 5 Plyometric Workouts For Rapid Weight loss
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@staceyalxndr Instagram
Bikini Fitness: Stacey Alexander
Every second counts for Olympia stage-prep, and Stacey Alexander is making sure of that. The IFBB bikini pro made her debut at Olympia Weekend in 2013 – placing third — she also placed third at Olympia last year. And to name a few, Stacey ranked high at last year’s IFBB New Zealand Pro and this year’s IFBB Pittsburgh Pro and IFBB Puerto Rico Pro. Photo Credit: @staceyalxndr Instagram
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@Julesfit10 Instagram
Women’s Physique Showdown: Juliana Malacarne
Last year the Brazilian had a winning streak, placing first in her category at Olympia Weekend, IFBB New York Pro, and IFBB Europa Dallas. That streak may continue this year because she has already placed first at the 2015 IFBB Arnold Sports Festival. Photo Credit: @Julesfit10 Instagram
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@karinabrazilpro Instagram
Women’s Physique Showdown: Karina Nascimento
Karina took home fourth place for her category at Olympia Weekend last year and placed fourth in the IFBB Arnold Sports Festival this year. She’s spending every last minute working out, even in the hotel gym – and sharing it all on her Instagram. Photo Credit: @karinabrazilpro Instagram
Only a select handful of women qualify to compete at Olympia Weekend – pouring their sweat and energy into the gym in hopes of making it to the Super Bowl of bodybuilding. These women will grace the stage at the 51st Olympia at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas this weekend. On the women’s side, Olympia covers four categories: fitness Olympia, figure Olympia, bikini Olympia, and women’s physique showdown. Find out what inspired these ladies to get into competitive bodybuilding and how they’re progressing ahead of competition day.
Bikini Olympia Finals – Friday, September 18 at 7:00 P.M.
Fitness Olympia Finals – Friday, September 18 at 7:00 P.M.
Figure Olympia Finals – Saturday, September 19 at 7:00 P.M.
212 Showdown Finals – Saturday, September 19 at 7:00 P.M.
Fitness Olympia: Bethany Cisternino
As well as being a full-time high school biology teacher and coaching gymnastics, Bethany Cisternino competes as an IFBB fitness pro for fun. And she’s good at it too – placing third in the Arnold Classic in 2013 and seventh at Mr. Olympia in 2011. According to this Jersey girl’s Tweets, she’s ready for the big stage.
Our current cover model’s first win was at the 2002 Toronto Fitness Classic, and this will be the 13th time she’ll grace the stage at Olympia. Johnson has been competing for 17 years, and loves every aspect about it. It was at the U.S. Air Force academy where she gained discipline, confidence, and a hard work ethic – all skills that are need to get to the biggest bodybuilding competition of them all.
From the age of seven, Oksana was hungry for competition – taking rhythmic gymnastic classes and placing third in her first competition. She went on to earn a degree in Physical Training and Sports and she was motivated by a friend to give competitive bodybuilding a try. She quickly worked her way to the top of competitive fitness in Russia, being awarded the “Best Non-Olympic Sportswoman of the Year” in 2005 and 2006. She eventually won an IFBB pro title to compete in the 2007 Olympia. Since then, she has placed highly in the fitness category for the Arnold Classic and IFBB Olympia; last year she took home first place for her category at Olympia and placed first at the Arnold Classic this year.
Continuing with the gymnastics theme, Michelle Blank was a gymnast from 11 to 17—competing as a level nine in USA gymnastics. She retired from the sport at 17, but got back into it in 2006. Blank began training for fitness competitions in 2009 – starting off in the NPC Junior National Championships where she placed first. It’s been two years since Blank has graced the stage – placing 10th back in 2013.
Nicole fell in love with the sport after she attended her first Arnold Classic in 2002. Growing up, Wilkins was a competitive gymnast for 12 years, and always had a strong interest in health and fitness. She has placed first in the figure category for Olympia the past two years in a row – striving for another win this year. From her Instagram, she’s been putting several hours in the gym carving out her abs.
She placed first in this year’s IFBB New York Pro and placed fifth in the IFBB Arnold Classic Australia. As for Olympia last year, she finished in fifth place for her category. Her Instagram posts have indicated that slowly, but surely she’ll be ready for this year’s competition.
It was 2005 when Candice started to have a strong interest in fitness and nutrition. She constantly watched what she was eating and put a significant amount of time in the gym, eventually competing in her first figure competition in 2008. Candice walked away from the event with first place for her category. As for this year, Candice placed first in the 2015 IFBB New York Pro, fifth in the 2015 IFBB Arnold Classic Australia, and fourth in the 2015 IFBB Arnold Sports Festival. Last year at Olympia, Candice placed fifth for her category. According to her Instagram, this fit chick is pumped and ready to compete.
Originating from Arizona, Candice Lewis grew up around sports – running track and cross country in school and cheering on her school’s varsity squad. It was then when she was introduced to lifting, which soon became a focal point – pushing her to become a role model for her nine younger siblings. This year, she placed third in her category at the IFBB Arnold Classic Australia and second in the IFBB Arnold Sports Festival. At Olympia last year, Candice placed third in her category. According to her Instagram, she’s excited to be at Olympia this year with her Arizona family cheering her on.
This fit mom is gearing up to grace the Olympia stage this year. For the bikini category this year, Janet placed first in the IFBB New Zealand Pro and the IFBB Arnold Classic Australia. In regards to Olympia, Janet placed first in her category last year.
Tawna is no stranger to a stage, growing up she competed in pageants regularly and entered local bikini contents when she moved to Dallas at the age of 19. She got into competing because of a former event judge and personal trainer, Greg McCoy. After rising to the top of the NPC circuit, Eubanks earned her pro title. She placed fourth in the IFBB Dallas Pro this year and third in the IFBB Orange County Muscle Classic Pro. As for Olympia, she placed eighth last year in her category.
Every second counts for Olympia stage-prep, and Stacey Alexander is making sure of that. The IFBB bikini pro made her debut at Olympia Weekend in 2013 – placing third — she also placed third at Olympia last year. And to name a few, Stacey ranked high at last year’s IFBB New Zealand Pro and this year’s IFBB Pittsburgh Pro and IFBB Puerto Rico Pro.
Last year the Brazilian had a winning streak, placing first in her category at Olympia Weekend, IFBB New York Pro, and IFBB Europa Dallas. That streak may continue this year because she has already placed first at the 2015 IFBB Arnold Sports Festival.
Karina took home fourth place for her category at Olympia Weekend last year and placed fourth in the IFBB Arnold Sports Festival this year. She’s spending every last minute working out, even in the hotel gym – and sharing it all on her Instagram.
