The field included legends such as Kay Baxter, Sue Ann McKean, Penny Price and Anita Gandol, as well as Juliette Bergmann and Bev Francis. The winner, however, was none of the above. The first woman to win the title of Ms International was Erika Geisen.
Who?
Though born in Germany, Erika competed for Australia. She had made her pro debut in 1983 and was crowned Miss Asia. She finished 11th at the Olympia the same year as her Miss I win. She competed once more at the Ms International, in 1988, and came sixth.
…in 1988 there were two Ms Internationals.
The IFBB had sanctioned the first Ms International, but in 1987 it took place under the auspices of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), and there was no IFBB contest of that name. The following year, however, both the IFBB and the AAU organised contests called ‘Ms International’.
left: Cathey Palyo, IFBB Ms International 1988
right: Cathy Butler Corish, AAU Ms International 1988
The IFBB show was a pro-am event (as it had been in 1986), while the AAU’s version was just for amateurs. The 1988 IFBB Ms International was Cathey Palyo (more about Cathey later in the week, which should be exciting news for anybody who remembers her!) while the AAU Ms International was won by Cathy Butler.
…Tonya Knight competed at the Ms I in 1988 and 1989 but you won’t find her listed in the results.
At the 1989 Olympia, Tonya had somebody else take her drug test for her, and was consequently stripped of her placing and prize money at the two previous Ms International shows. Naughty girl!
However, she made a triumphant return to the Ms I in 1991, when she claimed the title, seeing off Anja Schreiner, Shelley Beattie, Debbie Muggli, Marie Mahabir, Sue Gafner et al (talk about a QUALITY line-up, that’s just the top 6!).
…Paula Bircumshaw showed the Ms I judges her middle finger in 1992.
You probably do know about this, I’ve actually noted this event before
(see Real Iron Ladies).
The judges gave the title to the extremely marketable German beauty Anja Schreiner – not the first or last time there has been a controversial winner of a female bodybuilding show – but it was the shenanigans to prevent the crowd’s favourite Paula Bircumshaw retake the stage for the presentations that led to the audience riot and Paula’s unique message (as far as I know, I’m sure there’s been plenty of women who’ve wanted to give the judges the bird, but as far as I’m aware Paula’s the only one who’s actually done it).
Guessing (correctly as it turned out) that the crowd would be up in arms when the winner was announced, the judges changed the rules during the competition with the sole purpose of preventing Paula from retaking the stage. Instead of inviting the top 10 back for the presentations (as had been customary in previous contests), they only called the top 6 back. No one was fooled as to their motives, and amid the consequent outcry, Paula did in fact come back and let the judges know what she thought.
Sometimes I’m so proud to be British!
Don’t forget to sign the petition to keep the Ms International as part of the Arnold Sports Festival. More MsInformation (couldn’t resist) tomorrow!
Meanwhile, how about a little more of our heroine…
Both men's and women's bodybuilding have a problem. But more pronounced on the women's side. As you mention, Kyle won seven times. If you take the Olympia, Kyle, Murray and Everson have over 20 wins alone. So people tune out because the same people win. I could bitch about the way the NPC gives out pro cards too, but the IFBB needs to run this sort of a cross between the WTA, USAC/CART/IZOD or whatever they are now. That means a primarily based US system, with 12 pro shows a year. Obviously with that many shows in the US, the true stars couldn't compete every show. So you could build other stars. Then get a tv contract for the Olympia and another big show. Can be on FOX, or NBC Sports, but they need to figure out why they got more coverage in the 80's and early 90's, with less sportschannels than they have now.
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