Lesley Ann Armstrong

Not all Brits come second...

Between England's quarter-final exit from the European Championships and the national day of mourning that was Andy Murray's Wimbledon defeat, British female muscle fans were given cause to smile and celebrate (in our own private, insular way) a British World Champion.



While the better-known Oana Hreapca was cleaning up in the Physique class, Northern Ireland's Lesley Ann Armstrong won the overall Trained Figure title, beating off Italian legend Flora Conte in the posedown.



The fact that her victory went completely unnoticed in the mainstream media was no surprise at all. But this isn't going to be one of Slave's rants against a society that has never acknowledged its champion bodybuilders (except Jodie Marsh, of course). Instead, here at Female Muscle Slave, we'd rather focus on the champion herself, not least because we consider this 28-year-old native of Coleraine to be one of the most exciting talents to emerge from these shores in many a year.



Given that only two years ago Lesley Ann was finishing second in the NABBA Northern Ireland, her achievement is all the more remarkable. And the fact that she was up against Conte, a woman with a proven track record of winning NABBA contests, only adds to that.



Despite her relative inexperience at the World level, even just a cursory glance at Lesley Ann on stage that weekend reveals that she was, indeed, in World Champion shape. It seems to this commentator that NABBA judges tend to pick the right winner far far more often than their IFBB or NPC counterparts, so, unlike in so many other female bodybuilding contests, there can be little debate about whether she deserved to win or not.



Slave's feelings on Lesley Ann's showing at the Worlds were later summed up by one extremely perceptive forum poster: My God! What a body! What a BOTTOM! Some people just have a knack of putting your thoughts into words, don't they? And by the way, yet another reason to love NABBA - the thongs. As it was a NABBA contest, we got to enjoy Lesley Ann's majestic, muscular rear in all its glory.



And there's more good news, for those of you in Northern Ireland anyway. Lesley Ann is now running her own 'Body Blast' Classes in various locations across Northern Ireland. Spaces are (unsurprisingly) limited for current venues, so advanced booking is advised. And she also does personal training if you don't want to share her. Details on the Team Musclecharge website.



In fact, Slave was convinced there was absolutely nothing negative to report about this wonderful woman until we watched an interview with her in which she mentions her boyfriend. Don't watch it if it's going to break your heart is our advice.



But aside from this one little detail, Slave wishes Lesley Ann every success in the future and extends the warmest congratulations on her victory. She's done the country proud at a time when we have been a bit down in the sporting world, and we want to make sure that although it might seem that no one noticed, we certainly did.



And to make sure you all leave today with a smile on your face (and perhaps more besides) we leave you with the British entry for the 2012 Rear of the Year. Congratulations again to Lesley Ann, and well done NABBA - right result, right outfits.



Enjoy!