Karina Nascimento is a Brazilian born bodybuilder/fitness model turned IFBB physique competitor. She moved to Texas in 1986 and that is where her love for bodybuilding started at the age of 16. Running track and playing volleyball made her want to be more defined and want to change her body from the average look. After many endeavors in her childhood, she decided to change her life completely and soon met her first trainer, Herman Steele, in Arlington, Texas. He changed her body into a work of art. Soon she started to win overall championships in bodybuilding shows. Karina loved the challenge of working out and competing. She competed in and won five amateur bodybuilding competitions. After such a successful amateur career, Karina went back to Brazil and was awarded her Pro Card by Brazilian IFBB President, Alexander Pagnani. Karina loves representing both Brazil and the United States in bodybuilding. In 2003, Karina was invited to compete in the prestigious Ms. International, the ladies’ event competition at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic. As a rookie, she placed an incredible third place, beating several highly ranked professional bodybuilders. Her career sky-rocketed. In February of 2012, after a nine year layoff, Karina entered the first IFBB professional physique division show – the Desert Muscle Classic – in Mesa, AZ. She was a unanimous first place winner. After finishing 4th at the California Grand Prix Championships in March, Karina returned to the stage in IFBB Valenti Cup Championships in Sarasota, FL and once again was a unanimous first place winner. In 2013, Karina placed second at the prestigious New York Pro. That year she went on to compete in the first Ms. Olympia Physique show and placed a respectable 8th. During the 2014 season Karina returned to the stage with 3 top 3 finishes in IFBB Women’s Physique shows capped by a very strong 4th at the Ms. Olympia Physique in Las Vegas. Karina’s first show of the 2015 season will be the Arnold Classic in March in Columbus, OH.

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