Michelle Jin

Remember Michelle Jin? She of the girl-next-door (well, stunning Asian girl-next-door) looks and calves that made your eyes water. Or something. Remember her?

Well, she's back. And right on cue, too. There I was just yesterday talking about female muscle in China, and here we have a Chinese-born calves legend returning after three years to enjoy the biggest success of her career so far - both in the same week.



At the age of 40, Michelle won her physique class the NPC Junior USA Championships last Saturday (May 24th), and with it her pro card. And yes, she has most definitely still got it in the calves department, although while she's been away she seems to have acquired "it" in a number of other departments too, wouldn't you say?



Michelle, whose Chinese name is Jin Shuchun, was born and raised in a village in the east of China. She left home at 18 to find work in Guangzhou, and four years later arrived in the US. She drove buses, waited tables, and got by. And in 2005, on the recommendation of friends, she took up bodybuilding. At first, the gym was more routine than passion, but now, nine years later, Michelle has a pro card.




I am very happy that I won, says Michelle. I want to get the fitness coaching certificate so I can get a real job. I was born in an ordinary family, my childhood was bitter. I finally found the confidence in life to learn, and to complete my goals.



And on top of that, Michelle's victory has had the Chinese media (well, the online, English-language Chinese media anyway) falling over themselves to claim her as their own. Incredible Fitness! screams the headline in Guangming Insights, adding the not entirely accurate sub-heading: A 40-year-old Chinese lady won the champion of U.S. Bodybuilding Competition. Women of China led with the much less excitable headline: Chinese Woman, 40, Wins U.S. Bodybuilding Competition, and the rest of the Anglo-Chinese media all had the story and all had a headline very much stressing this was the triumph of a "Chinese" woman.



Perhaps this is one more example of attitudes to female muscle changing for the better in China, perhaps it's just online news sources recycling a story a competitor has carried. Either way, it's some positive exposure for Michelle in her homeland, and a positive message to aspiring female bodybuilders within that country.




FMS wishes her every success in her quest for coaching qualifications. And we hope it won't be too long before we'll see those big ol' calves in competition with the pros.



Enjoy!

(I feel a Leg Day coming on for tomorrow...)