Name: Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson
Birth Date: September 8, 1972
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 129lbs on-season  150lbs off-season
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario  CANADA
 
 
CONTEST HISTORY
2008 IDFA Canadian Classic* - Overall Figure & Masters Figure Champion, 1st Place in both Figure Tall & Masters Figure Tall
 *Awarded IDFA Pro card
2008 OPA Eastern Ontario - 1st Place in Masters Figure & 2d Place in Figure Medium
2007 CBBF Canadian World Qualifier - 2d Place in Figure Tall
2007 OPA Ontario Naturals - 1st Place in Figure Tall
2007 OPA Southern Ontario (Sudbury) - 2d Place in Figure Tall
2007 OPA Mississauga - 7th Place in Figure Tall
2005 NGA Canadian Classic - 1st Place in Novice Figure
 
 
RFOS Q&A
 
How long have you been training?
I have been playing soccer since I was six. It was in 1990, at the age of 18, that I started getting into weight training — and never stopped. In 2005 I decided to take my training to new heights and enter a competition.
 
 
What would like to see done to help improve or promote the sport?
I believe that this sport is getting a lot more popular. This is particularly true for the United States; it's and up and coming in Canada. Unfortunately, there is still not nearly as much representation for Afro-Canadian women as there could be.
 
A long battle with this sport has been the image of what society considers as attractive. There are a lot of women I know and see who want to be healthy and fit. However, they shy away from wanting "too much" muscle and are therefore afraid to lift weights, as they mistakenly believe it will make them look masculine.
 
So, it’s up to vocal woman like me to encourage other woman that the journey to compete on stage is such an amazing one. It’s about finding the stories of ordinary woman who have gone the journey and publishing them. It always helps for people to be able to relate to others who are just like them.
 
I also find that television coverage is lacking. We need to find a way to televise more of the amateur competitions that occur across North America and in countries the world over.
 
 
What would you like to share about your last contest?
Winning my Pro card at the 2008 IDFA Canadian Classic was such a surreal experience. In fact I never even thought I would do as well as I did at this contest. Of course, I trained to win; but to get my Pro card and then to take the overalls in both the Masters and the Open division was just so bittersweet. As with all individual sports, you just don't know who is going to show up to compete against you. So all you can do during the preparation stage is focus on yourself and train like your entire life depends on it. That is exactly what I did.  When I heard my competition number being called out as the winner of the Open division, and then heard the words that I was now an IDFA Pro, it just made all the hard work and effort I put in that much worth it! Of course, I did not do it alone. So I have to thank that man 'upstairs' and my hubby for being with me every step of the way. I was definitely in good hands throughout the journey. Now, it's onto the next challenge. The good thing is that I still have so much more capacity to work harder, so I'm positive there will be more Pro cards in my future.  
 

 
Do you get negative comments from people with regard to your muscles?
I’ve actually been very fortunate to have a figure that others have always admired. Whether they’d want to put in the hard work to get that muscle is another thing. However, they’re fascinated by my physique and muscle tone.
 
 
Have you ever surprised yourself with you own strength? Like you forgot you were THAT strong???
Yes. Playing soccer has obviously built up my legs. For contest training, my trainer has me pushing some insane weight for full squats, barbell lunges, and leg press (both single and double leg). I am also very strong in the back, which I find helps a lot with my overall training.
 
 
How have you used your physical strength, outside the gym, when it has come in handy?
Yes. On the soccer field ... and in the boardroom! Seriously, it helps to be physically strong and fit in soccer. I find that it’s led to just the right amount of intimidation with my opponents.
 
On the flip side, being physically strong has also made me mentally strong. This I find is helpful in almost every facet of my everyday dealings at work and at play.
 

 
Any message for fans?
My only message is to ask all the fans to keep supporting the sport. Come to the competitions and cheer on the competitors. It helps us greatly to hear the support while we’re out there sweating on the stage.
 

 
What is the best way to contact you?
keke1972@rogers.com
 
 
Where can you be found on the web?
http://myspace.com/turtlenke
 
For more training-related details:
http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/Keke
 
Some contest video clips:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KiPQM0pgQ5s
http://youtube.com/watch?v=L6lLbL1Kdx8
 
 
What else you would like to share?
I am going at it again, and can’t wait to get back on stage. Check out my webpage daily for progress pics and my daily blog.
 
I'm featured in Oxygen "Training Helped Me Get Through It" (December 2007, pg 74). You can read it here:
http://www.canadian-classic.com/ccnews_oxynkechi.html
 

 
I want to thank this talented photographer for the courtesy of using his pictures:
Doug Schneider of http://BodyBuildingLive.com