2009 Ms. International Competitors

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Heather (Policky) Armburst

Many people predicted that Heather would be a future world champion. The way Heather came on to the pro scene in 2007, she didn't disappoint. She made her Arnold debut in 2007 and placed third, which is an awesome Arnold debut. Prior to that, she won the Sacramento Pro. She ended up placing fifth in her first Olympia. In 2008, she was looked as the the person that would beat Iris for the Ms. Olympia title. However, things didn't go quite as planned for undisclosed reasons, and she ended up placing a very disappointing 14th place. Here's hoping that Heather will return in 2009 better than ever and prove that she is the future of women's bodybuilding in the IFBB.

Dayana Cadeau

If there's one person that has been right on Iris's tale and right on the brink of capturing a championship over the last few years, it's been Dayana. In all honestly, I don't see what has kept Dayana from winning the Ms. International or Ms. Olympia titles over the last several years. She has the physique, the looks, and the grace to be champion. Well, maybe she will find that balance to break away from the pack (and out of Iris's shadow) and come up with a major title win that she's been longing for since the mid-2000s.

Iris Floyd Kyle

There may not be another female bodybuilder out there like Iris Kyle. For the last half-decade, she has practically dominated every single contest she has entered, capturing four Ms. International and four Ms. Olympia titles in the process. In the rate she's going, she could shatter many records before it's all said and done and join the elite competitors such as Cory Everson, Rachel McLish, and Lenda Murray (the winningist Ms. Olympia so far with EIGHT championships). Last year, the world was shocked when she placed seventh in the 2008 Ms. International. Don't expect the same thing to happen again in 2009. If she has her way, she will find herself with another possible Ms. International title on her hands.

Maria Del Carmen Gomez

Last year, Maria entered the Arnold Amateur and won her class and the overall title, but it didn't come without a little controversy. Why, you ask? Earlier in 2007, she entered the North Americans and won her class and the overall title...as well as a pro card. Hmmm...kinda strange, huh?! Anyways, the past is the past, and there will be no controversy on her status as she will be competing as a pro in the pro division, not as a pro in the amateur division.

Rosemary Jennings

Rosemary has been in women's bodybuilding since 1997. She became a pro in 2003 and has been a mainstay at the Arnold and Olympia stages. On AMG-Lite, she wants to win the Miss Olympia at least once, as well as to be fluent in both French and Spanish. I'm unaware of her French and Spanish speaking abilities, but I can say that a nice showing at the Arnold can steer her in the right direction on achieving her goal of becoming Ms. Olympia.

Debi Laszewski

Debi has more than earned her spot in the pro rankings. When she was 24, she entered her first bodybuilding competition and won it. Her first competition took place in 1994. In 2006, she would finally earned her pro card, ending a twelve-year journey of becoming a pro. She made her Arnold debut in 2008 and placed 12th. She is back for a second time to better her placing and take her spot among the elites. Let's hope it doesn't take 12 years for her to do that!

Cathy LeFrancois

Cathy is competing in the 2009 Arnold Classic, hoping to gain some momentum heading to the 2009 Olympia (which she qualified for after her sixth place finish last year). Many people are glad to have her back in women's bodybuilding after her small stint in figure in 2005-2006. Her placings convinced her that FBB is her true passion, and with a win at the New York Pro last year, it seems like she made the right decision. Look for Cathy to start her 2009 season with a bang!

Mah-Ann Mendoza

Mah-Ann will be entering the Arnold Classic at the age of...get ready for this...49!!! But she has proven over the course of her career that age is just a number. In 2008, she placed second in the Atlantic City Pro, and placed eighth at the Ms. Olympia. She is no stranger to the Arnold stage, as she has placed reasonably good in each of them. Mah-Ann will more than hold her own against the up-and-comers (as well as the "usual suspects") come March.

Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia

Yaxeni can call herself the Queen of Queens when it comes to the Arnold. No other woman has won four Arnold championships in their career in ANY division. She won her first Ms. International title in 2002. She would go on to win it again the following year and also in 2005. The record win came last year, when Yaxeni can in great condidition and Iris was pushed back to seventh in a controversial call. This March, Yaxeni will be looking to make history all over again as she will try to not only be one of the few to win in back-to-back years, but to break her own record for most Arnold titles in a career by a woman.

Betty Pariso

Betty will be entering this year's Arnold Classic with the body that most young female bodybuilders wish they had. Betty is a veteran in every sense of the word, but it has proven to be just a number for her like the best of physique competitors. She earned her pro card at the age of 40, and is the only female bodybuilder (to my knowledge) that has done that so far. She's know for being shredded, as well as her signature most muscular, which is crowd-pleaser. You're only as old as you make yourself out to be, which means that you couldn't tell by the way you look at Betty. She's still has more history to make, and something tells me she will. If you ever think it's too late to do something, take a look at Betty and be in her shoes. You might just learn something cool about yourself.

Brenda Raganot

Many call Brenda downright sexy, and who can argue with that statement? Arguably one of the most exotic female bodybuilders today, she has made quite a name for herself and has quite a fan following. She has been a top star in the Arnold, as she would dominate the lightweight division (when women's bodybuilding was split into two weight classes). She has placed in the top five in each Arnold she's participated in. Can she keep it up heading into the 2009 show?

Isabelle Turell

Isabelle has been dubbed a future star in the business, and for good reason. She has an incredbile physique and charisma that is suited for a top IFBB star. The NPC judges saw that loud and clear when she was awarded a pro at the USA Championships. She made her pro debut with a nice showing at the Atlantic City Pro. Now this Siouxcountry moderator and sponsor will be looking to make a name for herself as she makes her much-anticipated Arnold debut in a matter of weeks.

Betty Viana-Adkins

If there was an award for breakout star in the IFBB for women's bodybuilding, Miss Adkins would get it, hands down. She entered the Atlantic City Pro and placed third, which qualified her for the Olympia. She nailed practically everything down and shook many people by getting the runner-up spot, almost besting Iris for the title. You know that she's got to be on cloud nine right now, and would love nothing more than to ride that momentum into the Arnold and make her presence know in Columbus. A good showing there would prove to many people once and for all that she's arrived and in it to win it!

Dena Westerfield

The doctor is entering new territory as she's entering her first Arnold Classic. But that doesn't mean that she's not been with the top of the crop before, as she was in the 2006 Olympia. Now she prepare to enter the only stage where you must be invited in order to participate. Dr. Dena knows that this is an amazing honor to be among your fellow competitors in a stage as huge as the Arnold. We'll see how she fares against them in March.

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