Raechelle 10th @ Sacramento Pro Nov 09

Raechelle Chase placed 10th in her Pro debut at the Sacramento Pro on Sat 7 November. The top 3 placegetters were Kristi Tauti, Cheryl Brown and Huong Arcinas.

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Maria Dunlop's Determined Figure

Many of our Wonder Women have had to overcome plenty of obstacles to train and compete in the sport of bodybuilding and Maria Dunlop is no exception. Maria's 'can do' attitude has seen her deal with painful rhumatoid athritis which almost sidelined her from any type of training.

But being a stubborn figure, Maria wasn't going to let the condition beat her and has worked her way around the pain. She says the training actually helps her make the athritis less painful but its a matter of balance of how much she trains and not overdoing it.

Maria (41), a personal trainer and full time domestic goddess, works and trains from home in New Plymouth. She's also got a son (Benjamin 5) and Eva-Marie (3) to keep her busy, not forgetting a very supportive husband Jon.

In this article we find out more about her contest regime and how she finds the motivation to train in her home gym!

Maria Dunlop

	How many years have you been training? I have been training consistantly now for 3 years but have been a fan of weight training for many many years. How many years have you been competing? I competed in the 1990s for a few years and restarted again in 2006 after a 10 year break. What class do you compete in? I compete in Senior Figure or Open Figure Short
Maria (1st on left) at INBA Taupo 09	Are you competing in 2010? Yes I will be aiming to compete next year and would like to take Team Taranaki over to Taupo, so will see what happens.

The Incredible Kym Carter, November 2009

Standing on stage seasoned competitor Kym Carter looks the epitome of a sporting figure. She has great muscles, looks healthy and has developed a great body that won her the NABBA National Overall Figure Title in 2009.

But little did Kym show that she was (is) battling a tumour that is growing closer to her brain.

Kym might have to have more invasive surgery to get rid of the tumour but she doesn't seem scared by it. Infact she's taking it all in her stride and making light of it ' they might have to give me a flip top head ' she laughs.

How does someone laugh off such a frightening thing as a tumour and brain surgery we ask " I think bodybuilding's helped me get through it. I've always had a positive outlook on life, even before what's happening to me, which was from bodybuilding so I think having a focus and training has really helped" Kym said.

And now in her own words, Kym tells us what she's been through the past couple years. No doubt it'll give you inspiration to overcome whatever troubles are in your life to keep on training!

Well I've had an exciting year this year! well actually the last 2 years.

In April 2007, I found out I have a optic sheath meningioma - a type of tumour on my right optic nerve.

In Feb and also March 2008 I had 2 biopsy operations where they found out it was benign. Because of the position of the tumour, it was still a danger as it grew towards my brain. It was wrapped around the optive nerve, which damaged the nerve and I lost vision in my right eye about 18 months ago.

In July 2008 I was sent to Dunedin to have stereotactic radiosurgery, which made me very sick and caused alot of pain around my eye. The treatment was unsuccessful.

Vicky's Victory @ NZFBB Sth Island Champs 09

Vicky Cattell won the Senior Figure 45+ (she's 48) and then went on to take the Overall Title at the NZFBB South Island Champs. In this video interview Vicky tells us her contest history, training and diet leading up to the comp.

Click left pic to watch

Raechelle 10th @ Sacramento Pro Nov 09

Maria Dunlop's Determined Figure

The Incredible Kym Carter, November 2009

Vicky's Victory @ NZFBB Sth Island Champs 09

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