F Styn

10/01/2025

LAURA COMBES

Bodybuilding pioneer and Floridian Laura Combes made quite the name for herself in the long history of female bodybuilding. When, in 1980, she won the inaugural American Championship (AFWB before becoming the NPC) beating fellow pioneers Claudia Wilbourn Carla Dunlap Kay Baxter and Lisa Elliott. She won all the titles in Florida prior to leading up to the AFWB contest. Competitions like Ms Brandon Physique, Ms Tampa, Ms Northwest Florida, and then finally the Ms Florida title. In addition in 1981, Laura would take the prestigious Ms America (AAU) title. She would go on to place 4th in the 1981 Ms Olympia and 6th in the 1982 Ms Olympia and then she dropped out of competition citing she had no desire to compete against women using drugs. Laura started as champion water skier as well later she played rugby and was on team that won the national rugby championship in 1979. Those physical sports took their toll resulting in surgery on both her knees and Laura took up weight training for rehabilitation. Thus she liked the results of her training and as they say the rest is history. One of her first influencers and trainers was a friend here, Richard Baldwin, who is one of our notable members here at Classic Bodybuilding. In 1983, Laura authored a book called Winning Women's Bodybuilding. Laura was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2002. Sadly in 1989, she passed away at the young age of 35 from acute alcohol poisoning.

Presenting LAURA COMBES (RIP)

10/01/2025

Looking good 👍

10/01/2025

The 2023 Arnold Sports Festival is this weekend in Columbus, Ohio. But for a bit of nostalgia take a look at the incredible Melissa Coates going head-to-head with Vickie Gates, Yolanda Hughes, and other elite female bodybuilders at the 1997 Arnold Classic - Ms. International.

10/01/2025

Sharon Bruneau

10/01/2025

Perfect!

10/01/2025

10/01/2025

MELINDA McNABB

Competing out of Beaumont Texas, Melinda only competed twice at a national level. After successful local and regional level victories Melinda went on to be the winner of the 1995 IRONMAIDEN Championship. Taking time off she re-qualified almost two years later and then entered her first national contests. Entering the 1997 NPC Nationals as a MiddleWeight she finished 4th behind 1st place Collin Fischer 2nd place Brenda Raganot and 3rd Raheemae Mokhtari. Overall went to Nicole Bass. Melinda finished her year at the NPC USA Championships 9th behind the best with that years class winner Amy Pazzo followed by Becky Rampey 2nd Judy Miller 3rd Michelle Ivers 4th and also behind popular Denise Hoshor in 8th. Melinda was active in Womens Physique World both in photo and videos. She may have had the best abs in the history of the sport however….. Melinda left competition shortly after 1997 for more important things in her life.

Presenting MELINDA MCNABB

10/01/2025

SUZANNE TIGERT

Current Tennessean Suzanne Tigert won local and state shows on her rise up to the national level before appearing first in 1984 at the California Championship finishing second at middleweight with popular Sue Ann McKean winning the overall victory. Suzanne would compete once again the following year at the 1985 USA championship and at that event, she would win the light Heavyweight class but lose the overall to the late Dona Olivera. Other names in that competition were Sandy Riddell and our own Mary Jerumbo . Suzanne moved up to compete in the 1986 Nationals but finished a disappointing 5th at the middleweight class. Overall was won that year by the muscular Cathey Palyo. Suzanne would once again attempt to get her Pro card by entering the 1987 Nationals but failed to place as eventual winners Charla Sedacca, Renee Casella, and Janice Graser were just too dominate in their respective weight classes. Suzanne made only one magazine cover however appeared in many Weider mags with training, diet and other related articles. Lovely Suzanne would not compete as a professional.

Presenting Suzanne Tigert