Men’s Journal is a magazine devoted to lifestyle, sports, recreation. The magazine made its debut in 1992 and was founded by Jann Wenner. It was later sold to American Media Inc in 2017. The magazine targets men who are into an active and outdoor recreation culture. The covers have included a number of celebrities and media personalities. The magazine has reported some struggles. Men’s Journal may becoming to an end. The staff layoffs of 2020 was an indication of the magazine’s condition. The print publication is rumored to be coming to an end. The magazine could remain as a digital publication going forward. Magazines such as this one do not focus on women. If women are mentioned it is only about how to attract them or a hot woman list . Male accomplishment is emphasized women are not presented as such. Sports and fitness sections typically discuss how to build muscle and strength. Men’s Journal produced an article that was unexpected in 2018. Women bodybuilders were given praise. Five athletes were listed in the health and fitness section. Iris Kyle, Yaxeni Oriquen-Garicia, Dayana Cadeau, Betty Pariso, and Lisa Aukland were the athlete’s that made the Men’s Journal list. At the time the Ms. Olympia was gone and the Ms. International was held in 2013. The Ms. Olympia was revived in 2020, but female bodybuilders were still competing in a few shows. Discrimination and prejudice continues to hinder the female athlete, yet they persevere. The evolution has been astounding since the first official contest in 1977. Canton, Ohio was the birth place of women’s bodybuilding competition. Many women have made their mark in the sport. Others deserve mention as well. Men’s Journal did not mention these women just because of sports interest. There is no denying that some men find bodybuilder women appealing.
Iris Kyle Versus Yaxeni Oriquen-Garicia
Iris Kyle was able to beat Lenda Murray in 2004. The Ms. Olympia was about to go through a new era. The situation was reversed in 2005. Yaxeni Oriquen-Garicia defeated Iris Kyle. Some have speculated that the 20% rule and the end of weight classes allowed this to happen. The confusion about what the judges were looking for made competitors frustrated. Iris Kyle came in with a physique she thought would be closest to the criteria. Yaxeni was able to make adjustments. She was the only other Ms. Olympia winner, besides Lenda Murray to beat Iris Kyle. When it comes to size they were both close. Yaxeni was 160 lbs and Iris was 155 lbs in 2005. Iris was five pounds lighter, which worked in Yaxeni’s favor. Iris is 5ft 7in and Yaxeni is 5tf 8in . Iris would comeback much bigger in 2006 and would Ms. Olympia until 2014. These women were very formidable athletes. Iris and Yaxeni has competitive longevity being on stage for decades. Both have the ability to benchpress 375 lbs. They were probably even in terms of strength. Body statics do show a difference. Iris Kyle’s chest was 34 inches compared Yaxeni Oriquen-Garicia’s 46 inches. Both athletes had 17 inch biceps. The biggest Iris got was 167 lbs. Yaxeni reached 180 lbs for the 1999 Ms. Olympia. At that time Iris was competing at 155 lbs. Yaxeni Oriquen-Garicia had a size advantage, but Iris won more Ms. Olympia contests. She could have won more if it were not for the end absence of the Ms. Olympia for five years and her dropping out of the 2020 Ms. Olympia. Ten Ms. Olympia wins still is a remarkable accomplishment.
Betty Pariso Versus Dayana Cadeau
Betty Pariso was one of the biggest female bodybuilders of the 1990s and 2000s. She was competing in her 50s and could still be a match for the much younger athletes on stage. At the age of 54 in 2010 Betty retired from competition. Most of her wins were in the Jan Tana Pro Classic. Men’s Journal made an error stating Betty was 161 lbs. She was actually 169 lbs. Betty had a total of five contest wins through her contest history. Betty Pariso competed from 1992 to 2010 demonstrating she had competitive longevity. Dayana Cadeau is smaller in terms of height and weight. Dayana competed at 160 lbs. She was 5ft 4 in , which is shorter than Betty’s height of 5ft 6 in. Dayana had five contest wins during her competitive history. That would be a tie for both athletes. Dayana beats Betty in terms of competitive longevity. Dayana competed for 20 years. Like Betty she started in 1992 and retired in 2012. Both were formidable competitors. When it comes to strength one athlete has more than the other. Dayana according to some sources could bench press 352 lbs. It is difficult to find Betty Pariso’s lifting statistics, but it is possible she could be evenly matched with Dayana.
Lisa Aukland and Denise Masino Were Underrated
Lisa Aukland was on the Men’s Journal list, but they did not put Denise Masino. Denise Masino presented a physique that was balanced with size and symmetry. She might be tiny, but Denise is a 129 lbs powerhouse during competition. Denise Masino proves that you do not have to be a tall woman to have a big presence on stage. The 5ft 2in Denise could tussle with the biggest bodybuilder women. Lisa Aukland was also a powerlifter who had some impressive lifts. She could bench press 275 lbs and squat 400 lbs. Lisa had an impressive 410 deadlift. Lisa began her sports career in 1991. Competing in powerlifting first gave her experience with weights. Around 1995 she entered her first bodybuilding competition. With so many talented athletes, some might go unnoticed. The hardcore female bodybuilding fan can name most of them. Denise and Lisa were common competitors during the 1990s and 2000s. They might have not won a Ms. Olympia title, but their physiques were amazing.
Cory Everson and Lenda Murray Were Pioneers
Before Iris Kyle, there was Cory Everson and Lenda Murray. Cory won six Ms. Olympia contests. Lenda Murray then when on to break that record in 2002. The 2003 Ms. Olympia was historic because Lenda got a total of eight wins. Cory dominated between 1984 to 1989. Lenda Murray’s reign lasted from 1990 to 1996 and then from 2002 to 2003. No list can be complete without these athletes. They were the faces of women’s bodybuilding during the late 20th century. Both Lenda and Cory were doing this at a time when strong women were not as accepted. While there is an amount of bias and prejudice, the situation has slightly improved in the 2020s. Women are definitely getting more competitive and are entering more contests. Cory and Lenda started the trend of repeating champions. Besides competing both have done their part to promote the sport to the public. Lenda Murray is now a promoter of contests. The reigning champion phenomenon might continue. Current Ms. Olympia Andrea Shaw has stated she wants to win ten. Cory Everson, Lenda Murray, and Iris Kyle set the standard and foundation for the contemporary athletes.
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