1999 NPC USA (Fitness-Short)
By -jabber


Nowadays, they've divided Fitness into three height divisions, instead of
the two, presumably because of the huge amount of Fitness Competitors that
enter these National level shows nowadays.  I'm looking forward to when they
further subdivide the Fitness Competition between blondes and brunettes. :-)

Quite frankly, although I felt the problem was (especially noticeable at the
Nationals last year in Atlanta) that the criterion to qualify for the
"prestigious" USA (for example) was too low, actually many, if not most of
these women really were good.  Excellent grooming, very attractive,
muscular, with imaginative routines, and for me, most importantly, strong.

So while part of me falls asleep during these fitness competitions, another
part stays awake, and says, wow, these women really are talented and great.

Women's Fitness up to and including 5'2":

In 10th was Vanessa Benevides, in 9th was Christine Pomponio, in 8th was
Heather Kath, in 7th was Nicole Hobbs, in 6th was Brenda Kelly.

In the top 5, in 5th was Nita Wilson, in 4th Brandy Maddron, whom I believe
has gotten some magazine coverage already.  In 3rd was Shaunta Teeters.

Because of the huge amount of fitness competitors at this show (please don't
shoot me), I actually did NOT bring enough film with me to the Prejudging
(that's a first).  So I missed the two-piece swimsuit comparison round.  And
DAMN am I pissed.  Because I missed something pretty incredible.  

In 2nd was the reasonably well-known Shannon Meteraud, who I'd not seen
compete ever before, but she was a well-toned, strong-looking blonde.  Okay,
I'm paying attention.  Strangely enough, I saw a very ass-intensive routine.
Enough so to make me make that note.  Interestingly, I guess she thought
that would get her more noticed?  Oh well, I was a bit disappointed (as
that's far from my favorite bodypart).

What is my favorite bodypart?  Winning the Short (and..  oops, let's not let
the cat out of the bag here) was Adelina "Abs" Friedmansky".  This is where
I'm kicking myself (since I ran out of film at the two-piece prejudging.
From a distance (standing at the back of the auditorium - no binoculars),
you could see her etched abs.  Plus she had a very entertaining posing
routine (I was transfixed on her abs below her fringe in her costume,
however).  Needless to say, I was happy with this decision.