FEMALE   BODYBUILDING

IFBB Profile: Dayana Cadeau - Flex 'n' Femme - female bodybuilder

In a competitive career that has spanned 11 years, Canadian Dayana Cadeau has spent much of that time shadowing a host of other competitors -- all the while continuing to improve on what has now become one of bodybuilding's elite physiques.

As a pro since 1997, she has seen her placings go from the forgettable (14th at the 1998 Ms. Olympia) to the impressive (winning the lightweight class at the 2001 Ms. International). She hasn't finished below third at any pro event she's entered since mid-2000. In other words, she has arrived as one of the pro division's prominent stars.

Two reasons stand out to explain Cadeau's rise to her current level. First, she has greatly matured as an overall competitor -- both physically and mentally. second, she has taken her contest preparation more seriously - a point that relates directly to her maturation. The rest is left to a gifted physique that features muscle shapes only the strongest of genetics and years of training can provide.

In her prime now as a pro lightweight (under 135 pounds), Cadeau competed as a heavyweight through her six years as an amateur. Her only major amateur victory turned out to be the one that counted most -- the 1997 Canada Cup -- a win that qualified her to turn pro.

Cadeau now hopes that impeccable timing will carry over to her pro efforts and a higher placing at the Ms. Olympia in 2002.