3rd Annual FitGems Awards: Moment of the Year

Congrats to Jr. Nationals 2011, where every figure class winner was of color (first in NPC history)at the 3rd Annual FitGems Awards!

True words can't do this photo justice.
Photo credit: RxMuscle.com

There are moments in this industry that can forever change the industry, for better or worse. The moment that won this award was definitely for the better. The 2011 Jr. Nationals crowned several IFBB Pros, like they do every year, but last year was different. Each figure class winner was of African-American aka black decent. This is significant because that has NEVER happened in the history of the NPC. I'm of color, so this meant a LOT to me to see all six of these women win their respective classes. If you want to read more about how I felt about this personally, click here.

Runner-up: First-ever Arnold Classic Europe Fitness

Others nominated include First-ever IFBB event in India (Sheru Classic), Mindi O’Brien announcing retirement from fitness, Dayana Cadeau and Mah Ann Mendoza announcing their retirements from female bodybuilding at the Olympia, and Nicole Nagrani winning the first-ever Bikini International.

3rd Annual FitGems Awards: NPC Show of the Year

Congrats to NATIONALS on winnning NPC Show of the Year at the 3rd Annual FitGems Awards!

Photo credit: Bodybuilding.com

With the addition of women's physique (and men's physique for that matter), records were being shattered like crazy this year in terms of competitor participation. The NPC Nationals is usually the biggest NPC show of the year, but it was taken into overdrive in 2011 with close to 1,000 competitors (Keep in mind that was not any fitness classes or masters classes)! In total, 4 female bodybuilders, 6 women's physique competitors, 6 figure competitors, and 6 bikini competitors turned pro. In other words, 22 women entered the IFBB during Nationals weekend. That's a lot of pro cards!

Runner-up: Jr. Nationals

Others nominated include Jr. USAs, USAs, Team Universe, and North Americans. 

3rd Annual FitGems Awards: IFBB Show of the Year

Congrats to OLYMPIA on winning IFBB Show of the Year at the 3rd Annual FitGems Awards!

Photo credit: IFBBPro.com

The Super Bowl of bodybuilding (as most would call it), the Olympia has showcased the best of the best the sports has to offer. Last year saw Adela Garcia and Iris Kyle continuing their dominant ways in fitness and women's bodybuilding, respectively. Nicole Wilkins regained the Figure Olympia title after losing the title to Erin Stern a year earlier, and Nicole Nagrani (at the age of 19) took her place among the Olympia elite by beating then-champion Sonia Gonzales to win the Bikini Olympia title. Next year will be more exclusive than before with new Olympia qualifications to bring only winners and special invites to the show. While the 2012 will be smaller in volume, it should increase by quality.

Runner-up: Arnold

Others nominated include Ft. Lauderdale Pro, St. Louis Pro, Toronto Pro Supershow, and Sheru Classic.

3rd Annual FitGems Awards: WBFF Show of the Year

Congrats to WORLDS on winning the WBFF Show of the Year at the 3rd Annual FitGems Awards!

3X WBFF Pro Figure Champion Emily Stirling @ 2011 Worlds
Photo credit: WBFF official website

The WBFF is quickly becoming the fastest rising physique organizations in the world, and the WBFF Worlds is a testament to that. Stars like Chady Dunmore, Miryah Scott, Diana Chaloux LaCerte, Julie Bonnett, Alexandria Johnson, and more took to the stage to showcase the best the WBFF has to offer. Emily Stirling, who many call "The Face of the WBFF", reclaimed the Pro Figure World title she lost from Monica Brant in 2010, making Emily the organization's first-ever 3x World Champion. Every year, the WBFF gets bigger and better every year, so don't be surprised if the 2012 WBFF Worlds is absoultely CRAZY when it takes place in September!

Runner-up: Eastern U.S.

Others nominated include Alberta, Quebec, New England, and B.C.

3rd Annual FitGems Awards: Promoter of the Year

Congrats to ANN AND JACK TITONE on winning Promoters of the Year at the 3rd Annual FitGems Awards!

Photo credit: Michelle Beck (posted first on Siouxcountry)

The Titones are among the most respected couples in this industry, with Jack being a nutritionist and Ann being a IFBB Figure Pro. They promoted the St. Louis Pro Figure and Bikini show in 2011 last year to a great response from the attendees, competitors, and those online. They will help anyone however they can when it comes to competition and just flat out being their for them. Expect more from the Titones heading into 2012 and beyond.

Runner-up:

Others nominated include Stryker X, Tim Gardner, Jon Lindsay, and Brent Jones.

3rd Annual FitGems Awards: Organization of the Year

Congrats to IFBB on winning Organization of the Year at the 3rd Annual FitGems Awards!

Nicole Wilkins, the current face of IFBB Figure
Photo credit: MuscleContest.com

Promotions have been stepping up to provide better competition for those who want to compete, but one thing hasn't changed...the top promotion is still the International Federation of Bodybuilders. When you think of bodybuilding, the name IFBB comes to mine instantly, much like how people think of WWE instantly when the word wrestling is brought up. The IFBB has had its big moments in 2011, including hosting a figure show in India and fitness show in Spain for the first time ever. Competitors have cemented their legacies this year by winning and defending titles. Next year, the IFBB will introduce women's physique to their rankings and with their new Olympia qualification rules make their "Super Bowl" more prestigious than ever before. If you thought the IFBB was big now, just wait until 2012.

Runner-up: NPC

Others nominated include WBFF, INBF, NABBA, and Fitness America/Universe

3rd Annual FitGems Awards: Female Physique Site of the Year

Congrats to SIOUXCOUNTRY on winning Female Physique Site of the Year at the 3rd Annual FitGems Awards!

Photo of Abbye Eville, which represents Siouxcountry and what they represent.
Photo credit: Siouxcountry's Facebook's fan page

It's awesome to see more and more sites being established for the females in this industry, but when it comes to impact on the females in this industry, Siouxcountry is tops. Many competitors from different organizations enter the site to talk about the industry, view preview photos, sell suits, and get the (to me) best contest coverage around. Plus, what other site has photo gatherings at contests?!?! Many have done better in their contests by joining Siouxcountry. People get to know each other better because of this site. I can honestly say that if it wasn't for that site, many friendships and partnerships would probably would be in existence. A site is only a good as its members, and I can honestly say that Jason Lannigan (aka Sioux), the amazing moderators there (who I respect greatly), and all the members there make Siouxcountry like no other site in the industry. To visit and join the site, go to http://www.siouxcountry.com.

Runner-up: Fitness Rx (http://www.fitnessrxmag.com/)

Others nominated include Promoting Real Women (http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com), Hardbody News (http://www.hardbody.com/news), Rx Girl (http://www.rxmuscle.com/rx-girl-home.html), and Fit Model TV (http://fitmodeltv.wordpress.com). 

3rd Annual FitGems Awards: Female Competitor Blog of the Year

Congrats to MINDI O'BRIEN on winning Female Competitor Blog of the Year at the 3rd Annual FitGems Awards!

Photo credit: RxMuscle

Some competitors share a blog with their fans, so they can keep up with what they are doing. Some use blogs as training blogs, some use it to share their recipes and daily lives and tips with their fans. For some, a blog is their actual website. Mindi O'Brien has used her blog for this and more. She announced her retirement on her blog. While she will be missed on the competition scene, expect her to update her blog with news on her and her fitness team, Team O'Brien. To visit her blog, go to http://mindiobrien.blogspot.com/.

Runner-up: Stacy Wright (http://stacywrightfitness.blogspot.com/)

Other nominated include Ashley Cooper (http://ashleycooperfitness.blogspot.com), Ester Alexander (http://estheralexander.blogspot.com),Nikki Roxx (http://healthhugsandheadlocks.blogspot.com/), and Cindy Phillips (http://cindyphillips.blogspot.com/). 

3rd Annual FitGems Awards: Facebook Female Fan Page of the Year

Congrats to AVA COWAN on winning Facebook Female Fan Page of the Year at the 3rd Annual FitGems Awards!

Photo credit: Ava Cowan's Facebook fan page

When it comes to popularity, there are VERY FEW that have the fan base like Ava. That was made perfectly clear as she overwhelmed everyone else in this category.Ava is one of the most devoted competitors out there when it comes to making her fans happy. Everything you would want to know about Ava, all you have to do is "like" her on Facebook. It's great to see competitors use the social media machine to get closer to their fans, and Ava is among the best, if not THE best, at this. If you haven't done so yet, go on and "like" her at https://www.facebook.com/AvaCowanOnline.

Runner-up: Monica Brant (https://www.facebook.com/monicabrantfanpage)

Others nominated include Brittany Beede (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brittany-Beede/175975545820582), Danny-J and Aubrie Richeson, AKA the Sweaty Betties (https://www.facebook.com/TheSweatyBetties) Tracy Bodner (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracy-IslandGirl-Bodner-Fan-Page/224878527524596) and Tonya Burkhardt (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tonya-Burkhardt-IFBB-Fitness-Pro/115849285092492)

3rd Annual FitGems Awards: Photographer of the Year

Congrats to DAN RAY on winning Photographer of the Year at the 3rd Annual FitGems Awards!

Photo of Heather Dees. Photo credit: Dan Ray's Facebook

Dan Ray has become one of the most requested photographers in the industry today. His photos are all over the place. There's a very good chance you've seen them on several official websites and Facebook fan pages. His photos are also located on some contest sites as well, such as RxMuscle. Don't be surprised if you see more of Dan Ray's work in 2012. BTW, despite us having the same last name, we are not related in any way whatsoever. LOL.

Runner-up: Isaac Hinds

Others nominated include Marc Thyssen, Bill Comstock, Jeff Binns, and Mike Eckstut.