A popular bodybuilder in the mid 90’s, British pro Andrulla Blanchette is now retired and according to Wikipedia seeking to become a chess master. Bodybuilding to chess – not a typical transition to say the least.

Watch her flex….

Click through to read Andrulla’s contest record

Contest history

* 1986 – IFBB Junior Worlds – 4th
* 1986 – Place Junior British Championship – 1st
* 1986 – EFBB Qualifier (for the under 21s) – 1st
* 1986 – Miss Capital City – 1st
* 1988 – IFBB Women’s World Championship, Puerto Rico) – 10th
* 1992 – IFBB Women’s World Championship (Rimini) – 3rd
* 1992 – World Amateur Championships – 3rd
* 1993 – IFBB European Championships, Hungary – 1st
* 1993 – IFBB World Games, Holland – 1st
* 1995 – Jan Tana Classic – 6th
* 1996 – IFBB Grand Prix Prague – 3rd
* 1996 – IFBB Grand Prix Slovakia – 3rd
* 1996 – Ms. International – 11th
* 1996 – IFBB Ms. Olympia – 8th
* 1997 – IFBB Ms. Olympia – 7th
* 1998 – Ms. International – 6th
* 1998 – IFBB Ms. Olympia – 6th
* 1999 – Ms. International – 5th
* 1999 – IFBB Ms. Olympia – 7th
* 2000 – Ms. International – 2nd (LW)
* 2000 – IFBB Ms. Olympia – 1st (LW)
* 2001 – IFBB Ms. Olympia – 2nd (LW)
* 2002 – Ms. International – withdrew (LW)

Mildred Burke, also known as Mildred Bliss in the wrestling ring, was a professional female wrestler from 1935 to 1955. Mildred is featured in a new book, The Queen of the Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds, and the Making of an American Legend, authored by Jeff Leen.

Mildred Burke held the Woman’s World Championship for nearly 20 years.

Mildred started her career by wrestling men at carnivals. She was known for her outstanding muscular development, and had an interest in wrestling on the professional level.

During her wrestling career, Mildred faced many obstacles (including discrimination) and broke through many barriers. Watch Mildred Burke wrestle the Canadian female champion, Millie Stafford.

Many say Sally was abused and was defending herself, while others say she murdered Ray in out of jealousy.

Prior to her incarceration, Sally was known to wrestle. Below is a brief retro clip of her:

Rachel was the first ever Ms Olympia, and looking at her physique you can see a momentous difference from the female bodybuilders of today. Is this good or bad? Depends who you ask, many say that female bodybuilding has progressing for the better with increased muscularity and conditioning – but it seems more say the “progress” harmed female bodybuilding.

Which side are you on?

Kim Chizevsky is unique in the IFBB having competed in three divisions professionally; bodybuilding, fitness and figure making her [to the best of my knowledge] the only person to do so.

A 4 time Ms Olympia Champion, she switched to fitness in 2001, and then to figure in 2003. She never experienced the same success in fitness and figure as she did with bodybuilding, but her variation must be admired.

The photo posted above shows her in her bodybuilding heyday, and the two below [click to enlarge] show her competing in figure at the 2004 IFBB Show of Strength Pro Championship where she placed 7th.

Is a thong practical workout gear? I think not, but with a booty like Monica’s you can get away with it…

A wallpaper of an this Iron belle legend from Muscleandbrawn.com:

Wikpedia says of this photo…

In April 1957, her bosom was the feature of a notorious publicity stunt intended to deflect attention from Sophia Loren during a dinner party in the Italian star’s honor. Photographs of the encounter were published around the world. The most famous image showed Loren raising an eyebrow at the American actress who, sitting between Loren and her dinner companion, Clifton Webb, had leaned over the table, allowing her breasts to spill over her low neckline and exposing one nipple.

Can’t fault the passion I guess. Watch her train below…

She started weight training to build her upper body up to be a firefighter, and went on to become one of the best bodybuilders of her era, and retired from competition in 1993.

Above is a retro photo of Mia Finnegan, the first ever IFBB Fitness Olympia Champion.Click here to check out some of FM’s older coverage – a 1980’s female muscle gallery. Big hair, high waisted jeans…80’s style in full effect!

Well before her time, screen legend Marilyn Monroe was reported to have always maintained a regime of weightlifting and regular exercise. Visitors reported finding gym equipment in the corner of her living room. At a time before running was a popular for exercise, let alone for women, Marilyn is said to have regularly partaken in early morning jogs through the back streets of Beverly Hills. Marilyn Monroe was 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighed 128 pounds.

Going back a number of years now, this photo comprised one of my favorite magazine covers of all time. It features [now retired] IFBB fitness pros Milamar Flores-Sarcev and Madonna Grimes.

Milamar is a Canadian of Filipino ancestry and now lives in California with her husband IFBB pro Milos Sarcev. Madonna is a former Miss Fitness America and is well known for workout DVD’s showcasing her dance and choreography work.

Few more photos of both these ladies, click to enlarge:

I’m not too knowledgeable on old style clothing, but are these boxers wearing ‘petticoats’?

According to wikipedia women’s boxing first appeared in the Olympic Games at a demonstration bout in 1904. For most of the 20th century it was banned in most nations.

I re-watched Pumping Iron last night for the first time in about 10 years. That film is amazing on so many levels. The cinematography is perfect and innovative, they were using a new lightweight 16mm camera that allowed them access and mobility unlike anything shot before. The characters are well-developed, and even though some situations and relationships were manufactured, or at least adjusted for effect, it watches like a pure documentary. And then there’s Arnold. It’s incredible how much charisma he had even back then, as if he knew where he was going and exactly what he was going to become. That kind of single-minded drive is rare and impressive, and should be celebrated.

This clip above is from an old cop show called Streets of San Francisco, and shows Arnold in one of his earliest acting roles. It’s not perfect, and he is no Brando, but the guy has energy.

CHECK OUT OUR TANYA HARDING GALLERY – SHE’S BOXING!

Today in 1994, figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was clubbed in the knee by Shane Stant at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit. Figure skating fans (and curious onlookers) around the world were shocked, and went all the way to appalled when it was revealed that the attack may have been planned by fellow skater Tonya Harding.

Kerrigan was unable to compete in the Olympic trials due to her injury, but was granted a spot on the Olympic team. She went on to win the silver medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer and ride on a float in a Disney parade, during which her microphone picked up some rather snarky comments that were assumed to be about the parade. Kerrigan claimed she was complaining not about the parade but about wearing her medal during the parade, which she said made her feel silly.

Harding, on the other hand, was banned from participating in United States Figure Skating Association events for the rest of her life and stripped of her title. She pleaded guilty to hindering the investigation of the attack, which also involved her ex-husband and one of his friends, but continues to maintain her innocence in regards to having planned it.

- Teresa Santoski

The 2nd placer at the first Ms O was Auby Paulick, who seemed to fade off the scene after that. Auby was from Michigan, and won the Michigan State Title just before the Olympia and was invited to turn pro after that win. Despite her great placing, the 1980 Ms Olympia appears to be both Auby’s first and last pro contest.

image via fitnessandstrength

She started her competitive carreer in 1979, entering the “Best in the World” bodybuilding contest where she placed fifth among 45 entrants. She won the NPC Nationals in 1981, 1982 before embarking on her pro career. In January, 1999, Dunlap was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame.

Away from the contest stage, Carla appeared in the bodybuilding documentaries Women Of Iron and Pumping Iron II: The Women, was a regular on ESPN’s BodyShaping series and along with Rachel McLish and Cory Everson, was the first female inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame.

Sally shot and killed her pro bodybuilder husband Ray McNeil on Valentines Day in 1995 and was convicted of second-degree murder in 1996. She is currently in prison where reports say she is still training and working out.

Many say Sally was abused and was defending herself, while others say she murdered Ray in out of jealousy.

Read more about the Sally McNeil case here and here

Pam: “I was born and raised in Texas. I grew up around Corpus Christi, TX, which is where I first started working out seriously. My favorite body part to workout is back. I am married with two children. My husband, Darrell, has always helped me with my training. My children are competitive athletes. My son attends college and my daughter is an honor student and Fitness competitor.”

WPW-Fitness Video 11 Strong & Shapely Fitness Contest

Two of these contests were held in the early 90’s. For this 1992 event, the promoters invited the best fitness women to compete against each other in a regular fitness event (stage routines) combined with one strength event (curling barbell for reps). Those competing included many of your former favorites- Debbie Kruck, April Johnson/Roseberry, Patty Sanchez, Sherilyn Godreau, Denise Paglia, Patti Regan, Holly Hart and others. Bikini and evening gown rounds also included. This was a ‘pro’ event for prize money, and an amateur event is also included here. Fitness Video/DVD 11 runs 2 1/2 hours.

Here is the direct link to the gallery from which this photograph was taken

Click image for gallery
Oh, to be in 1985. 20 years ago people communicated with their mouths instead of mouses. The Spandex Years.

Brandi won the 1996 Galaxy title in Venice Beach, California, results as posted on getbig.com:

1 Brandi Carrier
2 Candace Head
3 Lori Ann Lloyd (video link)
4 Elisa Martin
5 Shonna McCarver
6 Wendi B. Neff
7 Carol Exbrayat
8 Sherry Goggin-Giadina
9 Debbie Auer
10 Victoria LoMonaco

original source: billwick.com

Click to enlarge, one of our classic galleries, exclusively on femalemuscle.com:

amy lynn, erika andersch, ana schreiner, anna siguroardottir, ann rowe, bev francis, catherine stone, cathy paylo, dana dodson, debbie kruck, deidra paganelli, denise masino, diana dennis, florence bell, jennifer goodwin, joanna lee,Joanne McCartney, Jodie Friedman, Julie Kover, kathy meyers, kay baxter and friend, erika kern, kimi kotanaka, laura beaudry, laura cravelle, lori walkup, jackie paisley,janice reagan, denise rutkowski

A Lori Braun Retro PhotoBlog on Kirstin CLICK HERE