Monday, October 10, 2011

Top Strong Woman - Valentina Chepiga, professional female bodybuilder from Kharkiv, Ukraine

Valentyna Chepiha (born April 27, 1962) is a professional female bodybuilder from Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Valentina graduated from the College of Engineering and Building with a degree in Gas Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning. Between 1979 and 1992 she worked first as a technician, and then was promoted to engineer. Valentina began bodybuilding in 1988, and in 1992 she changed careers and became a personal trainer. She moved to Kiev in 1993, and then to the United States in 1999, settling in Seattle. Valentina now lives in Anchorage, Alaska, where she is engaged to Timothy Kirby.

Valentina won the European and World Amateur titles in 1997. She then made her professional debut at the 1998 Ms. Olympia contest, finishing in 12th place. Her greatest success as a professional has been winning the heavyweight class at the 2000 Ms. Olympia. No overall winner was named for that show, so she was essentially co-Ms. Olympia with lightweight class winner Andrulla Blanchette. In 2002 she took part in Ms. International, where she won the lightweight class. After a three year break from competition, Chepiga returned to the stage at the 2007 Ms. Olympia, placing eleventh.