Now in its fourth year of existence as the newest of the NPC women's divi
sions, the Physique division has established a strong following as well as providing an alternative to the longstanding bodybuilding division where muscular development is an integral part of the judging process in both divisions.
It's Las Vegas. It's late July. It's 110 deg
rees. And once again for the 15th consecutive year since the turn of the millennium, Jon Lindsay Productions is staging the enormous NPC USA Championships at the Artemus Ham Concert Hall on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas. As the sister contest to the NPC Nationals, the NPC USA is one of the two most anticipated events on the NPC competitive schedule annually.
Stars are made at this event. And when it comes to women's bodybuilding, the tradition is impressive. Iris Kyle launched her remarkable competitive career after winning the overall 1998 NPC USA, and yes, that contest was also held in Las Vegas.
A contest tradition
has to begin somewhere. All the events we now treasure as 'must see' shows on the annual contest schedule had, in many cases, humble and even unheralded beginnings. But over the years, they grow. They gain a reputation among the fans and competitors based on how the event was presented and promoted. The strong survive and even flourish.
One of the hallm
arks of a top athlete in any sport is consistency. It is the ability to produce an outstanding performance over and over again. And on the weekend of July 4-5 at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Chicago, Argentina's Rita Bello showed, in no uncertain terms, she possesses that ability as she out-flexed a field of 18 additional challengers to win the Wings of Strength Chicago Pro Championships.
Promoted by Tim Gardner, the Wings of Strength in Chicago is in its third year, and the contest has developed a popular reputation among competitors and a solid following with fans of bodybuilding. In two previous years the winner was Monique Jones, and this year, in her absence, a new champion would claim the crown. Enter Maria Rita Bello.
As if it wasn't enough 
reason to celebrate the July 4-5 weekend with fireworks on the birthday of American Independence, promoter Tim Gardner found another good reason as he staged the huge Wings of Strength Championships at the Holiday Inn's Tinley Park Convention Center in Chicago. Billed as 'Showtime in Chicago', this 2014 event – led by title sponsors Armored Nutrition and P28 High Protein Bread – is now in its third year with a full slate of IFBB Pro events along with the NPC Tim Gardner Chicago Extravaganza.
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