New Elite: Wendy Fortino

(Photo courtesy of Muscular Development)

One of the rising new faces of figure, Wendy Fortino is fastly becoming a top name in NPC figure and, if 2009 was any indication, is well on her way to becoming an IFBB figure competitor. From what she has told me in the past, she is aiming to have a Monica Brant-like physique (as Monica is (like many competitors) her role model. Judging by what she has brought to the table so far in regional competitions, she's on the right track. Speaking of the word "track", she actually competing in track and field prior to getting involved in fitness and figure competitions. Believe it or now, she was RIPPED then...without touching a single weight! Don't believe me, I'd go check out this Kriv Studios blog post and see for yourself.

In every competition she's entered in prior to her first major NPC National show (The USAs, where she placed 6th in Figure Class A), she has won her class, as well as the overall title on more than one occasion. Something tells me a pro card is imminent in the future of Miss Fortino. :)

I can see it now..."It's WAY better than regular figure physiques...It's Wendy's" LOL...sorry, had to throw that in there. I believe her next competition will be the 2010 Jr. USAs.

For more on Wendy, check her out on MySpace, Facebook, Hardfitness, and a slew of other sites.

BodySportTV: Open for Business!

The great folks of BodySport (Terry Goodlad and Ana Tigre) have launched their own version of YouTube, but it's more tailored to the fitness community. The video sharing service is called BodySportTV.

According to Ana Tigre on Siouxcountry, you can register for free and upload your own videos of training, interviews, photoshoots, or anything else you would like to share. For those that want to make a name for themselves, I would definitely recommend checking out BodySportTV. I mean, YouTube has launched the carrers of many people in entertainment, imagine what BodySportTV can do for the fitness industry.

Check out BodySportTV at http://www.bodysporttv.com.

New Elite: Carla Gutierrez

What's the New Elite? I just find female bodybuilders, fitness, and figure competitors that I feel will be the next big thing in this industry. I'm kicking it off with a Canadian who has all the tools to make it in the IFBB figure if and WHEN she becomes a pro. I'm talking about the Canadian Chica, Carla Gutierrez!




(Picture courtesy of TwixPix)

In such a short amount of time, Carla is looked upon as one of the top figure competitors in Canada and future IFBB figure pro. She's also an accomplished model in various publications, including Playboy.

In addition to being a figure competitor, She is also on HerBicepsCam, and it has been told that she blows the roof off the place. In 2009, she entered her first National competition and placed third in her class, which is a great debut for anyone who enters their first National competition. Look for this Latina Canadian to make more waves in the coming years as she aims to become an IFBB Figure Pro.

She is on Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, and FitGems Nation. You can also visit her upcoming website at http://www.carlitagutierrez.com/.


If there's a star in the making that you want me to spotlight in the future, Twit me (http://twitter.com/fitgemsnation) or Email me (admin@fitgemsnation.net) a suggestion, and I'll feature them here on this blog.

Song of the Week-T.I. feat. Usher "My Life Your Entertainment"

If there was ever a rap song that describes the relationship of a competitve bodybuilder (male and female), fitness, figure, or bikini competitor and their fans, this song is it.



My life, your entertainment
You watch it while I live it (live it)
I walk they follow (ay)
I talk they holla (ay)
Just here for your amusement
My life, your entertainment
You watch it while I live it (live it)
You waitin' for me to lose it
I guess I'm just here for your amusement


Beginning next week, and all November long, YOU, the FitGems Nation, will determine the Song of the Week. Twit your song choice to me (http://twitter.com/fitgemsnation), email me your song choice (admin@fitgemsnation.net), or leave a comment below.

Idea for Arnold Selection Show

I know that the Arnold is announced on the Internet by a mere list. But I was thinking...since the Arnold is a selection process, why not it be shown as a webcast, beginning next year? What I mean by that is treat it like a draft, ala NBA or NFL draft. I actually got the idea from watching the WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2010 Roster Reveal show on the GameSpot website. It's also available on YouTube if you want to check it out as well.

The Arnold Selection Show would be broadcast on Bodybuilding.com, as they provide major coverage of the event every year. The rounds would go as followed:

• Round 1 would be the 2010 Ms. International competitors
• Round 2 would be the 2010 Fitness International competitors
• Round 3 would be the 2010 Figure International competitors
• Round 4 would be the Arnold Classic Men 202 and Under competitors (that is new this year)
• Round 5 would be the Arnold Classic male competitors

After each round, a few of the competitors would be called to get their reactions on being selected to participate in the 2010 Arnold, and those that host the show would provide their reactions and comments to the selections this year. After the show is over, THEN the list can be posted on the Arnold website. It won't have to be a week long thing; this can be about 30 minutes, no more than an hour. It would make the Arnold that much more prestigious and special to the industry.

Go to the links below to see what I'm trying to explain:

WWE SVR 2010 Draft Pt. 1
WWE SVR 2010 Draft Pt. 2
WWE SVR 2010 Draft Pt. 3
WWE SVR 2010 Draft Pt. 4

What are your thoughts about this? Keep in mind, this is merely something I thought of, and in no way represents how the Arnold committee will reveal the participants.

Another IFBB Pro in Wrestling?!

Apparently Zivile Raudoniene isn't the only IFBB pro competitor looking to be a part of the wrestling business. From what I've gather through various wrestling news websites, it looks like IFBB Pro Bikini competitor Kristal Lashley (formerly Kristal Marshall) will be returning to her wrestling roots, only this time joining the TNA roster.

(TNA's Newest Knockout?)

She was part of Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling (TNA)'s biggest pay-per-view of the year, Bound for Glory this past weekend, when her husband MMA Star "The Boss" Bobby Lashley took on and defeated Samoa Joe. She was also on last night's TNA iMPACT broadcast during the Matt Morgan vs Scott Steiner match. She is set to become a permanent character in the weeks to come, possibly being the manager of her husband.

So now, both major wrestling companies have an IFBB competitor a piece, one being a top figure champion and one that could make history in the pro bikini division. It will be interesting to see how this could affect the divisions in terms of marketing, promotion, and exposure, not to mention the ladies themselves. Best of luck to both of them in their respective compaines!! :)

Update on Sue Upson

A couple of days ago, Sue Upson went into surgery to remove a brain tumor. I'm happy to report that the tumor was removed from the brain entirely and successfully. The surgury took about 10 hours long, according to Sue's husband, who posted a detailed update on Siouxcountry. Thank God she's fine now. However, now it's time for the recovery process, so don't stop with the prayers. Keep them coming! :)

Please Pray for Sue Upson

Today, one of the newest IFBB pros, Sue Upson, is having surgery to remove a tumor in her brain. The surgery will be a 6hr surgery, and recovery time will be 6-8 weeks. She shared her discovery first on Siouxcountry.


(Picture from North Carolina Official NPC Site)

From The FitGems Nation, and beyond, we with you a safe surgery and recovery, Sue!

2010 IFBB Schedule of Events

Today, the IFBB released the 2010 Schedule of Events. Here's how the events will go down as far as numbers are concerned.

• Women's Bodybuilding will have 6 contests
• Fitness will have 7 contests
• Figure will have 15 contests
• The new pro bikini division will have 6 contests for its inaugural year
  

Women's Bodybuilding, Figure, and Fitness will begin 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona at the new Phoenix Pro-Am show. It was mentioned that the new IFBB Pro Bikini division will start at the Arnold Classic, but according to IFBBPro.com, the debut will take place a few weeks after the Arnold, at the Max Muscle Pro Bikini Show on March 27 in Culver City, California. Also, there's no Bikini Olympia...yet. That might very well change, but we'll see. I fully expect a Bikini International AND Bikini Olympia in 2011, without question.Also, expect the number of events for ALL divisions to possibly change, as there could be some contests added or cancelled at a moment's notice.

http://www.ifbbpro.com/events/2010-calendar-of-events/

Time to plan for the new year! Have fun! :)

Song of the Week-Skillet "Monster"

I HIGHLY recommend you to have this song as a workout track, especially during a hellacious workout! SKILLET!!!!!!!

Yes, some of you might recognize this song from WWE Hell in a Cell PPV and the new Smackdown vs Raw 2010.

Song of the Week-Drake feat. Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Eminem "Forever (Remix)"

This song might be one of the craziest remixes I've heard in quite some time. I'm obsessed with this song! :-)



Next month, every Song of the Week will be chosen by YOU! I already have one suggestion thus far. If you have any suggestions for Song of the Week, leave a comment below, twit your suggestions to me (http://twitter.com/fitgemsnation), or email your suggestion to me at admin@fitgemsnation.net.

Song of the Week-Halestorm "I Get Off"

Dang it! Almost forget the song of the week this week. It's by a up-and-coming rock group called Halestorm with the song "I Get Off". Wouldn't be the least bit surprised if this song were to end up in a WWE event soon.



Trust me, I've got some CRAZY songs of the week for October! :)

September Poll Results and New Poll For October

Thanks to everyone that voted on the September Poll of the Month. I asked the question: If it were up to you, where would you host the Olympia? 73% of you chose to hold it at a different city each year, 26% said to hold it in Madison Square Garden, and not a single one of you chose to keep it in Las Vegas. WOW...didn't see that coming!

This month's question is: With the elimination of the 45 second mandatories and one-piece swimsuit round, will this help or hurt the fitness division? Your choices are

• Help the division
• Hurt the division
• Too early to tell right now

Have a great October, everyone!

Zivile/WWE Update

Remember how I mentioned that the 2008 Figure International Champion Zivile Raudoniene was possibly heading to the WWE, hence skipping out on competing in the Figure Olympia? Well, if you don't, click here to revist what I wrote about it. Apparently, things are now moving forward in her quest in possibly becoming a WWE Diva. RxMuscle's Dave Palumbo and John Romano caught up with Zivile over the weekend and informed them on her progress and transition from the figure stage to the squared circle.

Click on the picture below to go to the video:

Judging by the video alone, I personally think she would make a great WWE Diva. I thought it was interesting for her to say that she was one of the bigger girls in the Flordia Championship Wrestling (FCW) territory. Interesting as she is one of the smaller girls in figure. Like any wrestling personality (or in her case, wrestling personality-to-be), there were going to be some "mock wrestling holds." And she mentioned that her delivery of speech is improving, which is a must in WWE, as they are very big on promos.

I won't mention much else, as I'll let you view the video for herself, but from what I gathered from it, Zivile could very well be a great asset to the WWE family. She's got the look, the personality, and she's eagar to learn. I'm just hoping her wrestling skills are up to par and decent when and if she goes on TV. Today's fans (especially those internet marks, smarks, and critics that THINK they know everything about the business and it revolved around THEM because THEY say so) are more crucial to a female wrestler's skills now more than ever before. I mean, they don't mind mention that this woman is hot, but at the same time, they won't hesitate for a second to say that she doesn't belong in the wrestling world. I believe that if Zivile wants it bad enough, she will make something out herself in the WWE. And when that is realized and the WWE and fans get that Zivile is for real, the sky's the limit for this future blonde superstar.

As things progress with Zivile and WWE, I'll try to keep you posted as much as I can. Good luck Zivile. The FitGems Nation supports you all the way!!! :)