Bulgarian rhythmic dance coach and professional performer Silviya Taseva moved to the USA 10 years ago and has never looked back. Soon after arriving in America, she because a gymnastics coach and currently trains girls for national level events  Based in New York City, Silviya is training for Fitness America Championships in Las Vegas. "I plan to use all of my experience in dance, gymnastics, acrobatics and choreography into making an amazing performance," she says.

'09 Ms. Bikini America Mari Kasvi may not be planning to take the stage again anytime soon, but the Finnish model says, "I am enjoying my pregnancy, a sort of competing in my own fitness competition." Mari has appeared in dozens of commercials including Pepsi, Maybelline, Live Nation and many more, but that's on hold for bit longer. Mari explains, "This fatness has not really got me at all. I am 8 months pregnant and still training, although not like for a contest. And, I admit I have some cheat food more than usual. It's helping to keep me sane during the pregnancy." But, Mari says, the real test will come once she has the baby and wants to get back on stage. "That will take some time."

Congratulations to Janelle Tapia who won the Figure Mid America Championships! The New Mexico fitness trainer competed in her first show in June surprising the home town fitness community. The 5'2", 115 lbs., 24 year old is now Figure Universe Natural Pro qualified and will make her debut at Figure America in Las Vegas in Las Vegas.

Sports fitness model Nikol Krcova is the reigning Ms. Fitness Slovakia. The 5'3", 120 lbs. technical school graduate is training for both the Fitness Paris and Fitness America Championships this fall. Nikol has been an athlete since school days including track, volleyball and water polo  She began training for and competing in fitness shows when she was just 20 years old and says she enjoys more than any other sport. "It gives me such a charge being on stage and performing for people," explains Nikol. We will see that energy on stage in Paris in October.

The new Fitness Mid-America show in Kansas City will feature a bevy of new and refreshing fitness talent. One of the most exciting is Abigail Kluttz, a Kansas nutritionist who is applying her professional knowledge into competitive scene for the first time. At 5'10", 130 lbs., she was collegiate basketball player and coach while pursuing her Bachelor Degree in English Literature and Communications. Abigail says she has a "passion for speaking to women on self-esteem and health. Married and the proud mother of a 15 month old, she will appear on stage primed and ready in the Figure and Model divisions in two weeks.

As a track and field athlete, Brittany Noelle says she was intense competitive and disciplined. Now, the 5'6", 130 lbs., 23 year old UCLA graduate is turning her competitiveness to fitness competitions and will be on stage at Ms. Bikini Southern California with her BS degree in Physiological Science, Britanny is a personal trainer at Equinox Fitness. She is also a former Miss Califronia USA, Miss Regional California USA and Miss Malibu USA competitor. Britanny says she's also a fitness, lifestyle, and commercial model.

It could easily be said that Ms. Bikini New England Classic Winner Jodi Mehan injects any theater where she competes with a huge dose of excitement and energy. The 5'1", 120 lbs., 40 year young mother of two beautiful daughters says they are the ones where she gets her enthusiasm is derived. Jodi has her Bachelor of Science degree in cardiac rehabilitation from Ithica College and owns Challenge by Choice Training. Jodi says, "I was a dancer all through high school and entered college a communications major and dance minor." She will step on stage again at the Superbody Championships in Atlantic City on September 7 and will bring another dose of her effusive personality.

Fitness Universe Natural Pro Else Lautala was the '07 Fitness America Champion and has been a Top 5 Finalist at the Fitness Universe Championships for many years. But the former professional acrobat from Finland also competed in the Ms. Bikini Universe last month. "It was something I thought about a lot for a couple of years," Else says. "So, the time was right. I thought my diet was good and body was ready for it." And, the decision paid off with Else capturing 5th in Fitness Universe and 2nd in Ms. Bikini Universe Medium Class (of 33 competitors). Besides Else, Finland had an impressive team of 5 competitors in Miami Beach.

The Fitness Europe Championships in Rome last month featured the best natural fitness athletes on the continent. Championships included Sarah Hoey, Germany (Ms. Bikini™ Short), Minna Ronkonen, Finland (Ms. Bikini™ Tall), Elsa Hirvonen, Finald & Kamal Amroche, Italy (Model Women & Men), Ana Zujovic, Finland (Fitness) and Simon Panda, England (Musclemania®).

As one of Britain's hottest fitness competitors, Emma Louise Burrows brought her stage game to Ms. Bikini Universe last month in Miami Beach. She says, "I was incredibly proud to represent the UK and placing 8th at the show. The standard of girls was exceptional and I am so happy with the me I took to the stage and that I was able to put on a show worthy of a top ten placing against such fabulous girls from around the world." Emma will be on hand at Fitness Britain on September 21 in London.

And, the winner is . . . again . . . Anca Bucar! The two time Fitness Universe Champion Just seems to get better with every appearance with imaginative routines, energy and a personification of true athleticism at its best. Complete Fitness Universe Weekend results, photos and archive videos are available at here on this website.

As one of the industry's foremost cosmetologist, Jenny Karl Hair & Make-Up Agency has proven to be a big resource for Fitness Universe competitors. And, as the exclusive make-up service provider at the Universe, America, Superbody and other FU shows, her teams of experienced artists make those secret, unlicensed scammers look like amateurs. Jenn says, "We really go beyond what the wannabe make-up people do. We're among the few that take the time to apply the magic of airbrush!" And, Jenn's teams provide all the make-up supplies any competitor could want or use including lip gloss, foundation, eyelashes and more. "We include all of that in our rates. You only have to bring yourself!" At the recent Fitness Universe Weekend in Miami Beach, the unlicensed people couldn't help their clients because they were stuck, hiding in a hotel room 10 minutes away while Jenn's clients were being getting all fixed up and touched up backstage through the weekend. Jenn says, "We really take an interest in our clients and not only make them look their best but are as excited about them winning the show as they are."