Carla Dunlap

Infobox bodybuilder

|
name = Carla Dunlap
| image_caption =
nickname =
birthdate = birth date and age|1954|10|22
birthplace = Newark, New Jersey, American
death_date =
death_place =
height = 5' 3" (1.60m)
weight = 126 lb
firstproshow = Best In The World
firstproshowyear = 1979
bestwin = IFBB Ms. Olympia Champion
bestwinyear = 1983
predecessor = Rachel McLish
successor = Cory Everson
yesorretiredyear = Retired 1993

Carla Dunlap (born October 22, 1954) is a professional American female bodybuilding champion.

Early life and education

Dunlap was born in 1954 in Newark, New Jersey. She started competing in sports with gymnastics at age 10. She later competed in swimming, both speed and synchronized. Dunlap attended the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts on a full scholarship, earning a degree in Advertising Design. She won the gold medal in synchronized swimming in the 1977 Junior National Team Championships, and a bronze medal at the inaugural National Sports Festival in 1978.

Bodybuilding career

In 1979, Dunlap decided to enter the "Best in the World" bodybuilding contest at the suggestion of Steve Wennerstrom. She had never trained for bodybuilding, but still placed fifth among 45 entrants. She started training seriously for bodybuilding the following March, and was soon competing successfully in top level amateur contests. She won the NPC Nationals in 1981 and 1982. Her most successful year of competition was 1983 when she won three pro shows, including the Ms. Olympia contest (she had lost the Ms. Olympia to Rachel McLish by two points in 1982). In addition to her individual accomplishments, Dunlap won the World Professional Mixed Pairs title in 1984 and 1988 with Tony Pearson. Dunlap is the only female bodybuilder to have competed in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. In January, 1999, Dunlap was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame.

Away from the contest stage, Dunlap appeared in the bodybuilding documentaries "Women Of Iron" (1984, with fellow competitor Deborah Diana) and "" (1985). She was selected by ABC to represent women's bodybuilding in the women's "Superstars" competition in 1984, where she finished seventh in a field of eleven competitors. Dunlap was a regular on ESPN's "BodyShaping" series from 1990 to 1995. She has also appeared as a color commentator on bodybuilding and fitness telecasts for NBC, U.S., and ESPN.

Contest history

*1979 IFBB Best In The World - 5th
*1980 AAU Ms. America #1 - 1st
*1980 Eastern Cup - 1st
*1980 Ms. Atlantic Shore - 2nd
*1980 Bodybuilding Expo I - 1st
*1980 NPC USA Championship - 9th
*1980 NPC Nationals - 3rd
*1981 World Games I - 4th (HW)
*1981 NPC USA Championship - 2nd (HW)
*1981 NPC Nationals - 1st (HW and Overall)
*1981 Pro World Championship - 4th
*1982 Super Bowl of Bodybuilding I - 1st
*1982 Night of Champions - 1st
*1982 AFWB American Championships - 1st (HW and Overall)
*1982 Swedish Grand Prix - 1st
*1982 NPC USA Championship - 2nd (HW)
*1982 NPC Nationals - 1st (HW and Overall)
*1982 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 2nd
*1982 Pro World Championship - 1st
*1983 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 1st
*1983 IFBB Caesars World Cup (Grand Prix Las Vegas) - 1st
*1984 Pro World Championship - 2nd
*1984 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 4th
*1985 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 4th
*1986 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 9th
*1987 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 12th
*1988 Pro World Championship - 10th
*1988 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 9th (originally 10th)
*1993 Ms. International - 13th

Personal life

Dunlap is married to a man named Kaan, and currently runs a private personal training business called Flexfit.

External links

* [http://www.carladunlap.com Official web site]
* [http://www.ifbb.com/halloffame/1999/dunlap.htm IFBB Hall of Fame profile]