The 2001 Women's Extravaganza Saturday, August 25, 2001 Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel East Rutherford, New Jersey

by Pam McHenry Prete

One of the most impressive of the women's shows, the 2001 IFBB and NPC Women's Extravaganza, featuring bodybuilding, figure, and strength championships took place on August 25, 2001 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This year, Kenny Kassel, of beautifitgym.com, organized this breathtaking show of beautifying muscle. The top two amateurs in each class qualify for a National competition for the next two years. The first place pros qualify for the 2001 Ms. Olympia.

Impressive categories were the fitness strength, bodybuilding strength, NPC figure, NPC amateur and IFBB pro bodybuilding. Special guest host was Raye Hollitt, the first bodybuilding strength winner in 1989. American Gladiator "Zap" for 6 years and starring on UPN's Manhunt on Friday nights, with her words of wisdom and encouragement, Raye guided the women through their strength events with Steve Stone as judge. She's also producing her own TV series and been on Baywatch and JAG.

The 2001 Women's Extravaganza
Fitness Strength
Fitness Strength featured the return of reigning champ Cynthia Bridges, the young 21 year old Shana Martin and Lindsay Mulinazzi, who competed last year. Cynthia captured the title again with her amazing strength, especially in the straddle hold. Shana, who competes in the pole vault in college, at 11'10", placed second and Lyndsay was third, who trained hard since an auto accident a year ago. Lyndsay did 30 reps in the bicep curls.

The 2001 Women's Extravaganza
Bodybuilding Strength
Good things come in big packages! Great things come in huge packages! An impressive 8 ladies competed in the bodybuilding strength. In the row event, the ladies had to lift 3/4 of their bodyweight. Sue Scheppele, a social worker from Delaware, performed consistently in all events to earn first place. Sue bench pressed 24 reps to her nearest 5 pounds of her bodyweight of 160 pounds. Following in second place was Annie Rivieccio, a veteran Extravaganza competitor who bicep curled 95 pounds for 25 reps. What can one say about the phenomenal strength of Tazzie Colomb, who says this is her favorite show and getting third place. Tazzie weighed in at a whopping 185 pounds! In the squatting event (they had to squat 1 1/2 times their bodyweight), Nursel Gurler squatted 260 pounds for 29 reps, placed fourth and is getting ready for the Nationals. Stacey Garonzik was fifth. Julie Scanlon (who can squat 473 pounds and deadlift 465 pounds) was a serious contender in the row event, doing 11 reps at 115 pounds; she was 6th place. Yaxeni Oriquen, who competed contemporaneously in the pro bodybuilding, did not squat, but placed seventh. Unfortunately, Danet Seely withdrew due to injury.

The 2001 Women's Extravaganza
Figure Competition
In the figure short class - up to 5'2" - Mimi Bowman, 2001 Jan Tana winner, won as well as taking the overall figure. Latin bomb Vivianna Requena placed second. In third place was Karen Zaremba.

Dana Wenetuolo, gorgeously attired in a blue two piece won the figure medium class. New Yorker Susan Stivalo's physique got her second place. Elegant Simone Moura was third. In fourth place was Vicki Burdewick. Shana Martin, who also competed in the fitness strength, was fifth. Vivacious looking Tiffany Kiro came in sixth followed by seventh place Carla Holmes who is from Hawaii.

The figure tall class was dominated by Gamble Byron. Hard to believe that second place Marlene Harden is over 40 years old! Third place went to Debbie Auer. The crowd favorite was fourth place Christine Roth from Toronto; not too little, not too much; a unique mixture of a muscular shapely figure. In fifth was Jalena Jojovich and Denise Lanas came in sixth.

The 2001 Women's Extravaganza
NPC Amateur Bodybuilding
The lightweights were up to 118 pounds. Laurie Epidy placed first, showing an energetic polished routine. In second place was Melina Bell, followed by third place Lois Colon.

Middleweights, up to 132 pounds, had three competitors. Rebecca Seyfert, who has competed in fitness, placed first. Age has no limitations - Annalise Baluk, 45 years old, tall and symmetrical, captured second. And 46 year old Donna Livingston came in third place.

In the heavyweight class Karina Nascimento earned first place with excellent defined leg development (tear drops and defined calves) and a superb back. Second place was Christine Roth with a symmetrical muscular physique. Third place was given to Jennifer Doxey, who could inspire anyone to pick up a weight (she used to weigh 230 pounds). From Texas, placing fourth was Christine Fetzer.

The 2001 Women's Extravaganza
IFBB Pro Bodybuilding
In the lightweights, Gayle Moher captured first place wearing a wonderful golden suit and a golden tan. Second was won by none other than Mary Ellen Jerumbo, a pro competitor for the past 16 years, a classy lady who continues her outstanding talent in the pro bodybuilding arena.

The middleweights were a challenging category to judge. Kim Harris won with her detailed muscularity and symmetry. However, Finland's Marjo Lehtonen showed a fuller and thicker muscularity; what high biceps! Vilma Caez had impressive great quads and landed in 3rd place. Fourth was Brazil's Ibero champ Miriam Bustamonte.

Heather Foster, placing first and qualifying for Ms. Olympia, dominated the heavyweights. Heather has a strong routine and really fires up the crowd and you get a sense that this woman means business! Yaxeni Oriquen was in superb shape but could not edge out Heather, so Yaxeni had to settle for second. Golden glowing Betty Pariso's symmetry earned her third. Amy Pazzo was fourth and a close fifth was a ripped Sharon Robelle with tight abs. Australia's most muscular woman Christine Envall, with striated glutes, placed sixth.

Coverage of The 2001 Women's Extravaganza was written by Pam McHenry Prete for femalemuscle.com