Most muscular against most shredded: Korableva beats Ranta by one point in Bucharest
The woman billed as the most muscular in the world against the one billed as the most shredded. In Bucharest the judges split, and Anastasia Korableva won her third straight Romania Muscle Fest by a single point.
The Week in Women’s Bodybuilding: 26 October – 1 November 2026
Results, first pro wins and the shows ahead, 26 October – 1 November 2026.
Heights, measured by the federation
Athlete heights are almost never published. But the NPC measures every woman at check-in and puts her in a height class. We read those classes for 4,315 athletes so far
Podium chance: the odds of every pro show, from the record
Every IFBB Pro show of 2026 now shows the chance each athlete had of finishing in the top three, from her placings before the show alone. We tested the method on the whole 2025 season first.
The Week in Women’s Bodybuilding: 19–25 October 2026
Results, first pro wins and the shows ahead, 19–25 October 2026.
Michaela Baumer-Zink: nine weeks from her first NPC show to an IFBB Pro podium
In March 2026 Michaela Baumer-Zink stepped on an NPC stage for the first time on our record. Three weeks later she was an IFBB Pro. Six weeks after that she stood on a pro podium.
Carlotta Tonelli, the first Italian at a Wellness Olympia, and the long way there
Carlotta Tonelli turned pro in 2021. In 2025 she finished in the top five at every show she entered. In September 2026 she became the first Italian to compete at a Wellness Olympia.
She started at 39. She aimed for the top six. Alida Opre finished sixth.
Two jobs, a household and a family. Six shows this season, five of them on the podium. Alida Opre started competing at 39, went into this Olympia aiming for the top six, and finished sixth.
Figure, Physique, bodybuilding: Paula Ranta won in all three, then made the Ms. Olympia final four
Paula Ranta has won professional shows in Figure, in Women's Physique and in women's bodybuilding. Her first bodybuilding show was on 1 August. On 25 September she was fourth in the world.
Eleventh in Physique. Then seven Ms. Olympias.
Seven years ago Andrea Shaw finished eleventh in Women's Physique. On 25 September she won her seventh Ms. Olympia. The woman she first saw in a Detroit gym at thirteen has eight.
Seven Italians at the Olympia, and the first name on the 2027 list
Seven women are entered for Italy at the Olympia in Las Vegas this weekend. And the first woman already qualified for Ms. Olympia 2027 is Italian too.
Ms. Olympia 2026: the field, by the numbers
Andrea Shaw goes for a seventh straight title tonight in Las Vegas. Only Iris Kyle has ever won more in a row. Here is the field, by the record.
An accusation with no court: the Women’s Physique Olympia’s unfinished fight
Coelho won again. Four titles against three now, and between the two champions an accusation that nobody in the sport has the power to settle.
A division for one woman? What Anastasia Korableva exposes about women’s bodybuilding
Three pro shows, three perfect scorecards. The judges keep rewarding exactly what women's bodybuilding says it wants. The comments, and the federation's own history, keep asking for less.
Nobody measures the athletes: what happened when we tried
Here is a strange fact about a sport judged entirely on bodies: nobody measures them.
Women’s Elite Share Stage at 2026 Mr. Olympia Preview
As the bodybuilding community looks ahead to the 2026 Mr. Olympia, elite female competitors across all divisions are intensifying their preparation. The women's stages promise to showcase exceptional athleticism and conditioning throughout bodybuilding, figure, bikini, wellness, and physique categories.
Women’s Divisions Shine at 2026 Arnold Classic UK
The 2026 Arnold Classic UK showcased impressive performances across all women's divisions, with competitors demonstrating remarkable conditioning and muscular development. Athletes across bodybuilding, figure, bikini, wellness, and physique categories delivered compelling performances on stage.
Andrea Shaw Wins 6th Ms. Olympia Title in Historic Victory
Andrea Shaw has solidified her position as one of female bodybuilding's most decorated athletes by claiming her sixth Ms. Olympia title at the 2025 competition. The victory marks another significant milestone in Shaw's illustrious career on bodybuilding's biggest stage.