Tonya Knight

Infobox bodybuilder

|
name = Tonya Knight
| image_caption =
nickname =
birthdate = birth date and age|1966|03|24
birthplace = American
death_date =
death_place =
firstproshow = Pro World Championships
firstproshowyear = 1988
bestwin = 1991 Ms. International
bestwinyear = 1986-1993
yesorretiredyear = Retired 1993

Tonya Knight (born March 24 1966) is an American former IFBB professional female bodybuilder.

Background

Knight won the Ms. International title in 1989. However, it was later discovered that she had used a stand-in when she was chosen for a random drug test at the 1988 Ms. Olympia contest. As a result, she was disqualified from both of these contests, forfeiting her prize money as well as the Ms. International title. She was also suspended from the IFBB for two years (Merritt, 2006). She was a regular on American Gladiators as "Gold" from 1989 to 1992 until she left due to an injury to her left knee. She won the Ms. International title when she returned to competition in 1991.

Knight married bodybuilder John Poteat, who was also on American Gladiators as Atlas; they are now divorced. She then moved to Overland Park, Kansas, where she met Steve "The Wildthing" Ray. They married for several years when she was arrested for driving under the influence. They have one son and are divorced. Tonya still lives in Overland Park, Kansas.

Contest history

*1984 NPC USA Championship - 11th (LHW)
*1985 NPC USA Championship - 6th (HW)
*1986 NPC USA Championship - 4th (HW)
*1988 Pro World Championship - 5th
*1988 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 4th (later disqualified)
*1989 Ms. International - 1st (later disqualified)
*1991 IFBB Grand Prix Italy - 1st
*1991 Ms. International - 1st
*1992 Ms. International - 6th
*1993 Jan Tana Classic - 3rd

References

*Merritt, Greg, "15 Biggest Controversies and Shocking Moments in Bodybuilding History", "Flex", February, 2006

External links

* [http://www.musclememory.com/show.php?a=Knight,+Tonya&g=1 Tonya Knight]