Fitness champ crushes competition

Mirror staff

Michele Mayberry continued her roll through the competitive fitness world.

The 43-year-old Federal Way High School graduate scored a rare triple win at last month’s Emerald Cup Bodybuilding Championships and Fitness Expo, competing against considerably younger women. The event was held April 20 at the Meydenbauer Bay Center in Bellevue.

Mayberry entered two different categories: Fitness, which includes a routine to music emphasizing strength, agility and showmanship; and figure, a category focused on muscle tone, definition and body proportion.

In the fitness competition, Mayberry topped five other competitors in her division, Over 5-foot-3. She also won the Overall Fitness Award, meaning she was the best of all 12 competitors. She received a perfect score from the judges for her routine.

The fitness round includes a two-minute routine where the judges look for style, personality, athletic coordination, flexibility, strength and overall presentation. Competitors include strength and flexibility moves in their routines, as well as aerobics, dance, gymnastics or other movements. Judges require five separate mandatory moves during the routine, including one-arm push-ups, splits and high kicks, among other things.

In the figure category, she competed in the 5-6 to 5-7 division and took top honors. There were 14 women in that group.

Mayberry has a leg up on other competitors thanks to her background in gymnastics. She was an accomplished gymnast during her days at Federal Way High School and went on to compete for one season at Seattle Pacific University until an injury cut her college career short.

She also currently works as an assistant coach on the Federal Way High School gymnastics team.

To learn more, visit www.michelemayberry.com.

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