2008 saw the loss of several people in the fitness industry; Kenny Kassell, IFBB pro Amanda Saville, the only wheelchair bound female to be awarded IFBB pro status Pasqualena Mitchell , IFBB founder Ben Weider as well as the online suicide of bodybuilding.com forum member Abraham Biggs.
The IFBB announced it would add a new bikini division to it’s roster and top IFBB fitness pro Kim Klein retired.
2008 saw the addition of over 30 new IFBB female pros, including ten new pros from NPC nationals including the much overdue pro status of Elena Seiple, Cassandra Floyd who won the Team Universe, Diana Tinnelle and many others.
Kim Klein won the Arnold Fitness, Yaxeni Oriquen won the Arnold bodybuilding and Gina Aliotti won the figure Arnold.
Iris Kyle won the Olympia, Jennifer Hendershott won the Fitness Olympia and Jennifer Gates won the Figure Olympia. Tragedy struck both ‘Jennifers” the Fitness and Figure Olympia Champions in 2008 with Jennifer Gates losing her husband Derek Gates, and Jennifer Hendershott losing her stepbrother only days after her victory.
On a more positive note, Angela Mraz won her 4th WNBF World Title.
The Craig Titus and Kelly Ryan saga continued three years post the murder, with them both being pleading guilty and being sentenced to prison and Craig’s application for reduced time rejected. On a non-bodybuilding note, the United States made history with electing it’s first African-American president Barack Obama a day many never thought they would see.
Those things and many more happened in 2008, some good, and some bad. Off to bring in New Year now. Enjoy the parties everyone!
