Adela Garcia to Sit Out 2013 Fitness International

DOMINATION. That would be the key word used to describe Adela Garcia in the IFBB Fitness Division. Very few have had a presence in the industry quite like Adela has. Since 2010, she has won the Fitness International championship. In total, she has won 5 Arnold titles, with her win this year breaking the record of most Fitness International titles, which was previously held by Susie Curry at four. Today, Adela announced that she would sit out the 2013 Fitness International, making way for a new champion to be crowned in 2013.

Adela Garcia, 3X Defending Fitness International Champion, will sit out 2013 Arnold.
Photo credit: RxMuscle

Here's her official statement via her Facebook page:

After returning to the stage in 2009 I haven’t formally taken a break from the competition arena. I feel that it is time to give my body some rest and take a step back- and prepare myself mentally and physically for the 2013 Fitness Olympia. I have talked to my family, my manager Fitness Management Group (FMG), my trainer Mike Davies's Fitness Factory, and my sponsor GNC Live Well and we have decided to take off from the 2013 Fitness International. It was a hard decision for me as I love competing at the Arnold Sports Festival - but after doing 4 shows I feel that I need this break to get back in focus.  

I will be training hard this coming year and be back on stage at the 2013 Fitness Olympia where I will reach to join the legacies of Lenda Murray, Ronnie Coleman, and Lee Haney! 

Although I won’t be competing in Ohio, I will be in attendance representing my Sponsor GNC and showing my support for the contest. 

Thank you all for the amazing love and support!!!

Adela has more then earned this break. As mentioned before, she has been a domination force in the fitness division for quite some time. Champions deserve a break just like everyone else.

With this news, a new champion will emerge for the fitness side of the Arnold. Should Oksana Grishina, Tina Durkin, Myriam Capes, and Tanji Johnson have Fitness International invites (and quite honestly, I don't see why they won't), those four will no doubt be in everyone's favorites to win the Fitness International title next year. Maybe it could be someone who people have put under the radar. Regardless, this news today has further made the Arnold more interesting to watch come 2013.

We at Fitness Athletes Network wish Adela best of luck in her break and training in the coming year, hoping to add to her already-impressive resume as elite fitness champion!