Alina Popa
| Alina Popa[1] | |
|---|---|
| — Bodybuilder — | |
| Personal info | |
| Born |
October 12, 1978[1] Brăila, Socialist Republic of Romania[1] |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[2] |
| Weight |
In Season: 165 lb (75 kg) Off-Season: 181–183 lb (82–83 kg)[2] |
| Professional career | |
| Pro-debut | IFBB Ms. International[3], 2010[3] |
| Best win | IFBB Worlds Santa Susanna overall and heavyweight champion[3], 2008[3] |
| Predecessor | Elena Shportun-Willemer[3] |
| Successor | Simone Linay[3] |
| Active | Since 1999[4] |
Alina Popa (born October 12, 1978) is a Romanian-born Swiss professional female bodybuilder. She ranks as the 2nd best female bodybuilder in the IFBB Pro Women's Bodybuilding Ranking List.[5]
Early life and education
Popa grew up Brăila, Romania. At the age of 12, she began competing in track and field in order to lose weight. In college she studied English and Romanian for four years in college, majoring in English.[1][4]
Bodybuilding career
Amateur
At the age of 19, she chanced upon a gym in her native town, where she encountered a young woman preparing for the National Junior Championships, which first inspired Popa to begin lifting. She would continue training for the next two years before a trainer suggested she train to compete.
Popa entered her first local competition in 2000, a regional cup in which she placed second. Later that same year, she placed third in her division at the National Championships. In 2003, upon reaching a weight of 125 pounds (57 kg) she began competing in the heavyweight bracket, representing her country until 2005. In 2006, she relocated to Switzerland, close to Zurich, and has competed for her adopted country ever since. She received her IFBB pro card in 2008 after winning the overall and heavyweight at the 2008 IFBB Worlds Santa Susanna.[4]
Professional
Popa competed in her first Ms. International in 2010 and her first Ms. Olympia in 2011. With the exception of the 2010 Ms. International, every IFBB professional bodybuilding competition Popa has attended thus far has found her placing within in the top six. At the 2013 and 2014 Ms. Olympia competitions, she finished second behind Iris Kyle. To date, this is her highest placing. Her trainer is bodybuilder Dylan Armbrust, owner of Armbrust PRO Gym and husband of professional bodybuilder Heather Armbrust.[3][4][6]
Due to injuries, Popa stated in an interview that she will not participate in the 2015 Wings of Strength Rising Phoenix World Championships, however she said she would be there. She also stated planned on competing next year.[7]
Contest history
- 2000 Regional Cup - 2nd (HW)
- 2000 IFBB National Championship - 3rd (HW)
- 2003 IFBB National Championship - 1st (MW)
- 2004 IFBB European Championship - 2nd (HW)
- 2005 Mixed Pairs European Championship - 2nd
- 2005 Women’s European Championship - 5th
- 2006 Grand Prix Due Torri - 1st
- 2007 NABBA Miss Universe - 1st (Miss Physique class)
- 2008 IFBB Worlds Santa Susanna - 1st (Overall and HW)
- 2010 IFBB Ms. International - 8th
- 2011 IFBB Ms. International - 3rd
- 2011 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 5th
- 2012 IFBB Ms. International - 3rd
- 2012 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 4th
- 2013 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 2nd
- 2014 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 2nd[3][4][8]
Statistics
Bodyweight and bodyfat
- 2008 - In Season: 165 lb (75 kg) Off-Season: 181 lb (82 kg)[2]
Measurements
- Biceps
- 2008 - In Season: 17 in (430 mm) Off-Season: 16.3 in (410 mm)[2]
- Back
- 2008 - 47 in (1,200 mm)[2]
- Thighs
- 2008 - In Season: 26.8 in (680 mm) Off-Season: 24.8 in (630 mm)[2]
- Calves
- 2008 - 17 in (430 mm)[2]
Best lifts (for reps)
- Squat - 375 pounds (170 kg) x 4-6 reps
- Bench press - 242 pounds (110 kg) x 4-6 reps
- Bicep curls - 65 pounds (29 kg) each arm x 3 reps
- Deadlift - 308 pounds (140 kg) x 8 reps[3]
Personal life
Popa currently lives in Lakewood, Colorado[9] and has been married since 2006. As of September 11, 2013, Popa started working at Armbrust Pro Gym in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, as a personal trainer, and also poses as a freelance fitness model.[1][4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Alina Popa". Facebook. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 About Me 2008
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 "About Me". alinapopa.com. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "IFBB Professional Bodybuilder ALINA POPA". amg. 2010-04-04. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
- ↑ "IFBB Pro Women's Bodybuilding Ranking List". getbig.com. September 1, 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
- ↑ Welcome to Alinapopa.com
- ↑ Mile High Muscle Show: Episode 5
- ↑ Alina Popa IFBB Pro
- ↑ "Alina Popa". Twitter. Retrieved May 18, 2014.