FBBUK@ the IFBB World Fitness Championships 2014

It would be nice to be writing about a Brit who had represented her country in Bodybuilding at the IFBB World Fitness Championships in Montreal in October, but sadly, it being an IFBB event and all, there was no such division. It would also be nice to be writing about one of Britain's fabulous Physique goddesses - Ria Ward or Hayley Brylewski or Linda Gartside, for example - but, though there was a Physique class at the Championships, not a single British competitor entered.

However, there were five women who flew the flag for the UK at the Championships, and three of those finished in the top 6 in their classes. The mainstream media would never bother to report the achievements of these women, but it seems the UK bodybuilding media isn't that interested either. So if no one else is going to report British success in international bodybuilding competitions, FMS bloody well is!


KARINA SKOWRONSKA (Bikini)



It hasn't been a bad year for our most successful Bikini competitor at the Championships. In Montreal, Karina Skowronska added a 5th place finish in the "up to 166cm" Bikini class to her 4th place at the Arnold Classic Europe and her 2nd place finishes at the IFBB Europeans and IFBB Amateur Olympia.



The very un-British sounding name is a Polish one - she was a Polish Fitness champion multiple times before settling in the UK, where, aside from competing, she runs a business making custom posing suits, Karina Sparkle Bikini. All round, I reckon Karina provides a pretty good example of why the right-wing anti-immigration types prevalent in British politics right now have got it so very very wrong!




Why not let Karina know you're glad she's here via her Instagram or Facebook?


CAROLINE LAURA CAINE (Bodyfitness)



Formerly known as Caroline Laura Bell, last year Caroline got married to her trainer - how often does that happen?! There she is (above right) showing off in her wedding dress. Her best ever contest result followed at the 2013 UKBFF British championships (2nd), and this year she had already represented the UK at the Europeans in the "over 168cm" class (finishing 9th) before her 4th place at the Worlds.



You can follow "Caz" via Twitter or (much less regularly) her Facebook.


EMMA PAVELEY (Fitness)




23-year-old Emma Paveley was still competing as a junior last year, and her success in her first year at senior level has caused quite a stir among those in the know - which now includes YOU, dear reader! She has won bronze medals at European and now World level, and in November took the UKBFF Fitness title at her very first attempt. Top notch all round, says Flex Online. Paveley is a real prospect.




As an ex-gymnast, Emma has first rate flexibility and tumbling skills, so she's strong in the routine element of Fitness. But it's her muscles that are getting everyone so excited about what she might achieve in the sport. The goal for my physique is to be as conditioned as I possibly can, she says. And we say it's about time Kizzy Vaines, so long our sole IFBB Fitness pro, had a successor. Perhaps you are looking at her.



Follow the further adventures of Emma Paveley on Facebook and Instagram.

Enjoy!