Factoids

Flex, Oct, 2003 by Joe Roark

Featuring 2003 Hall of Fame inductee LYNN CONKWRIGHT

SOUTHERN BELLE

Lynn Conkwright was born on May 30, 1954, in Norfolk, Virginia.

FLEXIBLE FEMME

Prior to making a name for herself as one of the top female bodybuilders of the 1980s, Conkwright trained for eight years as a gymnast and won the Virginia State Gymnastics Championships. If fitness competitions had been in existence then, Conkwright doubtless could have excelled in that arena. Although her initial weight-training efforts were geared toward improving her gymnastics, she eventually devoted all her energies to competitive bodybuilding.

CONKING OUT THE COMPETITION

Conkwright first showed the muscle world what she was made of in February 1980 when she entered her inaugural amateur contest, Miss Virginia Beach. The judges, who were impressed with her physique, posing skill and stage presence, wasted little time in awarding her the crown.

LOSING HER AMATUER STANDING

Conkwright made her a pro hero debut in 1980 (as did Rachel McLish) at the U.S. Women's Championships in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Although Conkwright placed fifth to McLish's first, bodybuilding journalist Kathy Tuite wrote that Conkwright had "... exquisite muscularity, which she presents in a routine which incorporates gymnastics movements."

A FRANK AFFAIR

To celebrate his 38th birthday, three-time Mr. Olympia Frank Zane staged the Zane Women's Invitational in Santa Monica, California. Conkwright joined the field of 17 hopefuls and took third place. Stacey Bentley walked away the winner.

TO OLYMPIA HEIGHTS

Conkwright helped make history by taking part in the first-ever Ms. Olympia. The contest was held in the City of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), but there was no love lost between the women vying for the title. Conkwright gave it her best shot, but she had to settle for third place behind winner Rachel McLish and runner-up Auby Paulick. As a side note, Conkwright and fellow competitor Carolyn Cheshire were the only two women who competed in the Ms. O every year from 1980 to 1985.

DOUBLES, ANYONE?

The pride of Norfolk went two for two on April 24, 1981, when Conkwright won the inaugural championships in Atlantic City, New Jersey, then paired with Chris Dickerson to win the couples category as well.

A FOR EFFORT

Conkwright made a determined and persistent assault on the Ms. Olympia crown, making six consecutive tilts at the cream of female bodybuilding contests. She never won the event--though not for lack of a championship-caliber physique--but Conkwright performed honorably in taking home two third places, a pair of fourths, an eighth and a 16th place during her run.

EVERYBODY LOVES A SUPERSTAR

Conkwright entered the history books again in 1982, becoming the first female bodybuilder to compete in the ABC Superstars competition in Key Biscayne, Florida. A dozen female athletes from various sports gathered for the three-day competition. Conkwright placed first in the rowing contest, third in basketball shooting, third in swimming, fifth in the bicycle race, fifth in golf and seventh in the obstacle course. Her efforts netted her 10th place overall; Ann Meyers earned the victory.

NICE FINISH

Following a two-year competitive hiatus, Conkwright journeyed to Nice, France, for the Pro World in -April 1988. From the perspective of 14th place, she saw Dona Oliveira crowned winner. After that, Conkwright decided to call it quits.

LYNN CONKWRIGHT'S
CONTEST
HIGHLIGHTS

Year    Event                          Place

1980    Miss Virginia Beach             1st
1980    U.S. Women's Championships      5th
1980    Zane Women's Invitational       3rd
1980    Ms. Olympia                     3rd
1981    Women's World Championships     1st
1981    World Couples                   1st
1981    Ms. Olympia                     3rd
1982    Ms. Olympia                     4th
1983    Ms. Olympia                     4th
1984    Ms. Olympia                     8th
1985    Ms. Olympia                    16th
1988    Pro World                      14th