Tanji Johnson Wins the 2013 Fitness International!!!

It took a decade to do it, but Tanji Johnson can finally say that she won one of the "big ones" in the fitness division.  At the 2013 Fitness International, Tanji beat out nine other competitors in a small but deep line-up to claim her first Fitness International title and put herself as one of the elites in the sport.

Tanji is finally champion after 10 tries
Photo credit: Bodybuilding.com

It wasn't easy for Tanji to win this contest, though. Oksana Grishina, showcased an impressive physique and once again stole the show with a insane routine inspired by The Joker. Her time at the top is coming very soon. Bethany Cisternino brought together an amazing physique (as usual from this rising star) and a solid routine that nabbed her third place. Maybe the most impressive showing overall has to go to Trish Warren for one simple reason: this was her first contest since the 2011 Fitness International and the first since having her first baby. She returned to competition pretty much like she never left, and was just a bit shy from getting an Olympia qualification spot (top 3 at the Arnold are qualified for the Olympia). But for her to return on stage is a victory in itself, and placing in the top 4 is icing on the cake. Regaine DaSilva placed 5th with her trademark hardness (yet not too hard) and her performance. Regiane remains one of the top international competitors in fitness, and it's only a matter of time before she takes it to the next level. Rounding out the top six was Ryall Graber-Vasani, who was first callout in the physique round, and combining with her routine round, put her in the six-place spot. 

What are your thoughts about the fitness placings? Agree? Disagree? Did a new era of fitness begin at the Arnold? Sound off in the comments below and on our Facebook fan page (https://www.facebook.com/fitgemsnation). 

FULL RESULTS:

1. Tanji Johnson

2. Oksana Grishina

3. Bethany Cisternino

4. Trish Warren

5. Regiane DaSilva

6. Ryall Graber-Vasani

7. Kizzy Vaines

8. Nicole Duncan

9. Fiona Harris

10. Amanda Hatfield

Top 6 Awards Presentation (including Tanji's speech): (from NPCNewsOnline)


Tanji's photoshoot and interview after her win (from NPCNewsOnline)

Myriam Capes OUT of 2013 Fitness International

Considered a big favorite entering this year's Fitness International, Myriam Capes is out of the show due to injury.

No Mimi at this year's Fitness International
Photo credit: FLEX Online

Here's her official statement below from her Facebook page in her native French and translated to English via Bing:


Je vous annonce officiellement que je ne compétionnerai malheureusement pas au Arnold Classic cette année suite à une blessure au dos. Rien de majeur ne vous inquiètez pas mais mon état ne me permet pas de me lancer à nouveau au travers d’une autre préparation. C’est après 12 années sans répris, plus de 30 concours Pro à mon actif dont 4 OLYMPIA et 3 ARNOLD que mon corps me demande un peu de repos!! Alors je me dois de l’écouter afin de revenir en force en septembre pour OLYMPIA afin de monter à nouveau sur le podium!!! Ou qui sait peut-etre avant étant présentement en traitement intensif avec les meilleurs thérapeutes!!! À suivre… Je vous tienderai informer!! Mimi xo

I announce officially that I do competionnerai unfortunately not at the Arnold Classic this year due to a back injury. Nothing major do not worry but my State does not allow me start again through another formulation. It is after 12 years without resumed, more than 30 competition Pro to my assets including 4 OLYMPIA and 3 ARNOLD my body a little rest wonder! Then I have to listen to him to return in force in September for OLYMPIA in order to reach the podium again! Or who knows maybe before being currently under intensive treatment with the best therapists! To follow… I inform you tienderai! Mimi xo
(Translated by Bing)

With a new Fitness International champion a guarantee this year with Adela Garcia sitting out, many saw Myriam as the main person that could give Oksana a run for her money at the Arnold. The way it sounds, she could be ready in time to compete at the Olympia in September and possibly the Arnold Classic Brazil later on this year. The fitness line-up is now at 10 competitors, making it one of the smallest fitness line-ups in the history of the Arnold.

We at Fitness Athletes Network wish Myriam a speedy and safe recovery and hope to see her back on stage at the Olympia!

2012 Fitness International Invite List

It's OUT!!!! The 2012 Arnold list has just been released, with 17 names for the Fitness International! Did you favorites make it on there?

2012 Fitness International (17)
Michelle Blank
Jodi Boam
Myriam Capes
Regiane Da Silva
Tina Durkin
Allison Ethier
Adela Garcia
Oksana Grishina
Tanji Johnson
Diana Monteiro
Julie Palmer
Kayde Puckett
Camala Rodriguez
Daniella Ruban
Kizzy Vaines
Sheri Vucick
Bethany Wagner

There will be more Arnold-related posts as we get closer to the big event. Until then, congrats to everyone that made the list! 2012 Arnold...here we come!! 

2011 Arnold Amateur Fitness Results

Congrats to all the fitness competitors at the Arnold Amateur this past weekend! Diana Alemida was your overall Arnold Amateur fitness champion (winner of short class), while Aguiar Fernandez won the tall class. Here are the full results for them:

2011 Arnold Amateur Fitness Results

Short Class

1. Diana Alemida - Overall
2. Guryeva Olga
3. Paula Williams-Gulman
4. Shalimar Wilder
5. Samantha Kinnish
6. Maria Laura Cervelli
7. Stephanie Yu
8. Gloria Mohninger
9. Toni Wheeler

Tall Class

1. Aguiar Fernandez
2. Czine Szilvia
3. Dvortsova Tatiana
4. Jayla McDermott
5. Meredith Miller
6. Tiina Kasvi
7. Valeria Cristiane Aprobato
8. Angela Beavers

2011 Fitness International (Full Results)

Here are the full results of the 2011 Fitness International. Adela Garcia won her 4th Fitness International title, amid a bit of controversy, according to some. More will be spoken about this later on this week. Congrats to all the competitors!


2011 FITNESS INTERNATIONAL

1. Adela Garcia
2. Tanji Johnson
3. Trish Warren
4. Camala Rodriguez
5. Myriam Capes
6. Bethany Wagner
7. Regiane Da Silva
8. Oksana Grishina
9. Tina Durkin
10. Nicole Duncan
11. Erin Riley
12. Daniela O'Mara
13. Allison Ethier
13. Sylvia Tremblay

2011 Arnold Amateur Competitors List (Fitness Division)

The 2011 Arnold Amateur list has been released. Here's the list of fitness competitors that will compete at the Arnold Amateur. There are 10 competitors in the short class and eight competitors in the tall class. Congrats to everyone that's on the list (in ALL divisions)! :)

Fitness Short Class (10)
Diana Paula Monteiro Noronha de Alemida (Brazil)
Maria Laura Cervelli (Argentina)
Samantha Kinnish (Australia)
Gloria Mohninger (Calgary, Canada)
Guryeva Olga (Russia)
Dawn Scholey (United Kingdom)
Stephanie Yu (Rochester Hills, Mich.)
Toni Wheeler (Morehead, Ky.)
Shalimar Wilder (Charleston, W.V.)
Paula Williams-Gulman (Hayden Lake, Idaho)

Fitness Tall Class (8)
Valeria Cristiane Aprobato (Brazil)
Angela Beavers (Smyrna, Ga.)
Tiina Kasvi (Finland)
Jayla McDermott (Trophy Club, Texas)
Meredith Miller (Westerville, Ohio)
Deborah Sizemore (Charleston, W.V.)
Czine Szilvia (Hungary)
Dvortsova Tatiana (Russia)

2011 Fitness International Invite List

Congrats to those that got invited to the 2011 Fitness International at the 2011 Arnold Sports Festival! The 2011 will take place on March 3-6, 2011.

Myriam Capes

Regiane Da Silva

Nicole Duncan

Tina Durkin

Allison Ethier

Adela Garcia

Oksana Grishina

Tanji Johnson

Daniela O’Mara

Erin Riley

Camala Rodriguez

Sylvia Tremblay

Bethany Wagner

Trish Warren