Wasn't Bircumshaw Banned for life from the WABBA for giving a Judge "The Finger",as I recall?
(http://img254.imagevenue.com/loc158/th_364672202_imh122b_122_158lo.jpg) (http://img254.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=364672202_imh122b_122_158lo.jpg)
She was ahead of her time and amazing. She was too muscular for some, (look at the big ladies today) but I think the real reasons were the winners were pre-decided, as they had a big investment in them re marketing, personal aqpearances etc. They wanted people totally under their control.
http://www.musculardevelopment.com/news/the-mcgough-report/12501-arnold-the-biggest-ever-controversy.html#.WDsyCn3CtzI
This article is well worth a read
Paula was great.. She had a really striking look.
For me, She personifies that 1992-93 era in the sport.. The magazine photos JDM uploaded, take me back to a pre-Internet information age, and a time when giant book stores (with cafes and coffee shops) were still scarce. I'd just post up, and lean on a magazine rack inside a grocery store, or pharmacy, and leaf thru all the bodybuilding (& music) magazines.
(http://mentalfloss.com/sites/default/legacy/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/magazine_rack.jpg)
^simulation of 1993's internet.. Good times
(http://thumbnails110.imagebam.com/51963/f50474519628603.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/f50474519628603) (http://thumbnails110.imagebam.com/51963/3d9815519628608.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/3d9815519628608)
Now I know that bodybuilding is about developing the physique as opposed to making it stronger but well I figured that she was pretty strong.
1988 Ms. O
(https://thumbs4.imagebam.com/e3/b5/b7/MERSSJT_t.jpg) (https://www.imagebam.com/view/MERSSJT) (https://thumbs4.imagebam.com/b4/38/59/MERSSJU_t.jpg) (https://www.imagebam.com/view/MERSSJU)