The Lenda Murray and Iris Kyle Feud

When two great athletes share a stage, egos are bound to collide. This was the case with Lenda Murray and Iris Kyle. A feud emerged that did not come on a bodybuilding stage. Rather, it was an opinion Murray expressed. She criticized Kyle’s physique in somewhat vituperative. Lenda was quoted in a article in Muscular Development saying Iris “destroyed her look as a woman.” The comment was more ludicrous and comedic when a person thinks deeper. For a longtime, people have thought that women with muscle were unfeminine. Such criticisms or insults have been directed at women in the sport. These claims are expressed by detractors or those who do not care about the sport at all. There are varying perspectives about what female muscular aesthetics should be. The debate has in a way been solved with multiple divisions. Female bodybuilding should be about women who want to push their physiques to the maximum. Although this comment was offensive and disrespectful it ignores one fact. Iris Kyle and Lenda Murray have similar bodies. The size, shape, and symmetry are very close. There is a reason they are both Ms. Olympia champions. What are the possible explanations for Lenda Murray’s comments ? Jealousy and anger over her record being broken could be one reason. The other reason could be is that some have a different view in what a muscular female physique should look like. Athlete feuds are probably just more common than we thought. The situation will be more awkward seeing as Iris Kyle will be returning to stage in 2021 and Lenda Murray having a promoter role. There were claims that the reason she was absent from the Wings of Strength Rising Phoenix was the doing of Lenda Murray. The feud is more irrational considering they are the best female bodybuilders.

Being a bodybuilder requires the balance between size, shape, conditioning, and symmetry. The misconception is that bodybuilding is about large muscles only. The objective is to sculpt and mold the body into something different . Both Lenda Murray and Iris Kyle had these elements, which brought them multiple victories. The physique Iris built was nothing more than what other athletes did in the past. Kay Baxter and Bev Francis pioneered a more muscular look . Using what other had experimented with Lenda Murray adopted this image by the middle of the 1990s. Kim Chizevsky would beat Murray in 1997. By then, the hypermuscular look was already the standard. Lenda, Kim, and Iris had perfected this asethetic model. Taking a look a photos on stage, Lenda’s past comment becomes more nonsensical . The irony is that their bodies are remarkably similar in shape, definition, and muscle size.

The biceps, triceps, legs, abs, and pectorals show nice size an symmetry. The 2002 to 2003 period showed that Lenda was unstoppable. Iris by 2004 was able to defeat Lenda. Thus a new Ms. Olympia reign was born. Iris Kyle stands at 5 ft 7in and 180 lbs. Lenda stood at 5ft 5in and 153 lbs. Both women clearly had significant musculature. Iris Kyle was able to beat Lenda by improving her upper body development slightly. Then there was a difference in calf size that gave Iris an advantage. Lenda then went into her final retirement. A new class of competitors was emerging. Lenda probably would have continued if it were not for the 2004 defeat. Corey Everson was the first Ms. Olympia to have numerous wins of the contest. She won six contests undefeated, before retiring in 1989. Iris Kyle build a physique based on the blueprints from past athletes. Lenda Murray was one of them she respected. The passage of time and circumstances changes relations between two people.

Most successful athletes do not like their records broken. To them a record enshrines their legacy in the historical record. Iris Kyle would go on through the 2000s dominating the Ms. Olympia stage. When Iris reaching Lenda’s record this was when these comments were expressed. While it is difficult to confirm, Lenda was probably jealous and vexed that Iris was going to break her record. The reaction was unsporting behavior. Sports stars can still be petty and ego driven. The reaction was uncalled for. When Lenda was challenged on this her response was more disingenuous. The feud in Lenda’s mind was due to the fact that Iris Kyle did not communicate with her. This was around 2012 when Iris was tied with an eighth Ms. Olympia win. The odd part about this feud is that both athletes have similar backgrounds. Lenda and Iris were born in Michigan. Both are African American and were involved in other sports prior to bodybuilding. There is nothing wrong with taking a different approach to being Ms. Olympia. The roots of the conflict could also be generational. Iris was born in 1974 and Lenda was born in 1962. Iris was a child when Title IX was taking effect. Lenda was born before that. There are different views about women and sports that vary among the generations . When Lenda explains herself, it almost makes it sound as if Iris started the dispute. Based on certain interviews a picture can be put together. There was either some miscommunication or the idea that Iris snubbed Lenda. The series of events are more ambiguous with conflicting accounts.

Lenda Murray is now a promoter. Iris Kyle is still going to compete. The question is will Murray’s influence determine the outcome of the 2021 Ms. Olympia. It is apparent she has a bias and grudge.

Iris was going to make her return to stage, but that was halted. Her interview for RX Muscle explained the issue in 2016 . The Wings of Strength Rising Phoenix did exclude Iris. This makes no rational sense. One of the best bodybuilders ever was prevented from competing. Iris asserted that Lenda Murray had involvement , but it may not have been entirely her. The promoters and judges who have been long established have ridged control. Women should be more collaborative it ensuring the sports survival. That means former and current champions should work to building a larger support network. The Lenda and Iris dispute should be put to rest. The drama surrounding this could play out on the Ms. Olympia stage in 2021.

People appear to not be comfortable with muscular women. This may also be the case with women who have muscles themselves. Female competitors in the sport are subject to vicious insults. Accusations of being “manly” or lacking a pleasant appearance has become more prevalent. Sometimes women may internalize this sexism. Lenda saying Iris destroyed her look is an example of this. Women may not even be conscious they are actively keeping themselves down. Murray’s comments feed into every anti-woman sentiment that is present in the sport. Many still think this is a sport women should not do or be a part of. It was a struggle for women to get access and compete in professional sports. Similar arguments were directed at women in the early days of the sport. Nothing as in that case changed. However, a former Ms .Olympia expressing such ideas does damage to women as a whole. It only rationalizes unequal treatment of female athletes.

Free speech is a value that must be upheld, but it must be understood it comes with a level of responsibility. Opinions are not facts. The view that Iris Kyle went too far in developing her physique becomes baseless. Male competitors have become even bigger than women and never face much ostracism. Iris and Lenda being as strong as they are does not make them any less feminine. If Iris is “extreme” then Lenda is as well. Each the muscles on their bodies are highly developed and intricate definition. They are very physically developed women. There should be appreciation for what the human body can do. Lenda’s intention may not have been designed to disparage. It could be that it was an expression of another perspective.

The degree of muscularity for bodybuilding has been subject to debate. Lenda Murray’s articulation could have been more about what is the best in terms of size. The debate to a degree has been answered with multiple divisions. The concern was that female bodybuilding would be phased out by this. The opposite has happened. Women can start off in bikini, move to physique, and advance to bodybuilder. Physique competitors have transferred to the bodybuilding class. They can experiment with the classes and find out where they fit best. Before, there was only bodybuilding can now more options are available. The number of competitors is vastly expanding. Each class has its unique look. There is no reason why bigger women cannot be a part of this. Women are still have doubts about their muscular bodies. The cultural pressure to look a certain way or unwanted criticisms are a part of life. What Lenda and Iris have done is to reject the notion of women being one image. Lenda and Iris contributed to the evolution of the female muscular aesthetic. What the final product will be is unknown.

Being competitive can lead to rivalry. It is only natural when two people are seeking the same prize. This is not always pure hate for the person . That is a misconception. When competing in sports the mindset is to dominate your competition. Lenda Murray had rivals like Laura Creavalle. This was apparent in the 1992 to 1997 Ms. Olympia contests. Although their competition was intense, there was never hatred or hostility between the two athletes. Lenda Murray’s discussion of Iris Kyle seems more vexed. It is no secret that athletes do not like their records being broken. Lenda’s record is only eight wins of the Ms. Olympia compared to Iris’ ten. That does not negate the accomplishment. It is very possible that an athlete could beat Iris Kyle’s ten wins. The rise of Andrea Shaw in 2020 appears to have the attributes of both the former Ms. Olympia champions. It would be unlikely that Iris would react the same way as Lenda if her record is broken . The unfortunate part about this is that there should a combine effort of athletes to produce contests and platforms. At one point, it seemed as if the feud was over. Lenda Murray interviewed Iris Kyle in 2009 after her Ms. International win. The interaction seemed cordial. The rivalry can sometimes spill over into the fandom. Fans argue among one another which is the greatest Ms. Olympia. Are a number of wins the measure ? Is posing routine presentation one too ? Can appearance be a sole factor ? That is difficult to determine. What is definite is that Iris Kyle and Lenda Murray are the greatest athletes this sport has ever had. Maybe at some point the Murray-Kyle feud can be put to rest.