In the sport of women’s bodybuilding, a handful of great champions have ruled over the years. There was Cory Everson, Ms. Olympia 1984-89. There was Kim Chizevsky, the Olympia champ from 1996-99. There was Lenda Murray, Ms. O 1990-95 and again in 2002-03. Now, a new name is on the cusp of entering those elite ranks - Iris Kyle.
Despite another strong push from Dayana Cadeau, Iris was once again in a league of her own at this year’s Ms. Olympia contest, hoisting her third title in four years (in addition to a heavyweight-class crown in 2001 and three runner-up finishes in between). This win made it four contest victories in a row, dating back to the 2006 Ms. International. She has won six of her last seven events, the only blemish coming on a second-place finish to Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia at the 2005 Ms. O.
Iris, who bodybuilding.com webcast commentator Elaine Goodlad referred to as a "freak of nature who’s hard to beat," is clearly the gold standard for the sport today, leaving many of her peers shaking their heads over what it will take to bridge the divide. Dayana, for one, a close friend of Iris who has finished second to her at the last two Olympias, doesn’t know what more she can do to gain favor with the judges. "I looked much better," she said. "But I’m 5′4" and proportioned for my height. I can’t be somebody bigger than Iris or something like that."
Iris has more going fore her than size, however. Her near-flawless conditioning only accentuates her strongest features - full muscle bellies, a staggering V-taper and perfect symmetry - making it tough for anyone to upset her footing atop the sport.
But both women have put in their work. Last year’s narrow win for Iris - when she edged Dayana by only two points - encouraged both to step things up for 2007. Both were eager to show the fruits of their labors at the Olympia press conference the day before the competition, dropping their sweats at the center of the dais to a flurry of flashbulbs and cheers. Tellingly, none of the other competitors did the same.
That’s not to say no one else brought it come showtime. Former champion Yaxeni, who was much improved from her seventh-place form a year ago, moved up to third behind Dayana. Lisa Aukland, fresh off a win at Atlantic City Pro a few weeks before, battled to her second straight top-five finish by landing in fourth. And if Iris is "today" in women’s bodybuilding, Heather Armbrust may be "tomorrow." The Colorado native took fifth in her Olympia debut but walked away with FLEX "Rookie of the Year" honors. The amazing Betty Pariso, at the tender age of 51, rounded out the top six.
And while Iris won’t speculate on how long she’ll compete, one doesn’t get the impression that this physique artist will be going anywhere anytime soon. The trophies are just window dressing - Iris thrives on the hurt and the highs of competing. "Bodybuilding is my life," she says simply.
