Quick Facts
Biography
Alina Popa (born October 12, 1978) is a Romanian-born professional female bodybuilder currently living in the USA. She ranks as the highest-ranked Romanian bodybuilder on the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB) Pro Women's Bodybuilding Ranking List.
Early life and education
Popa grew up Brăila, Romania. From the age of 12, she competed in track and field, initially to lose weight. In college, she studied English and Romanian for four years, majoring in the former with a teaching degree.
Bodybuilding career
Amateur
At the age of 19, she chanced upon a gym in her hometown, where she encountered a young woman preparing for the National Junior Championships. This inspired Popa to begin a training regimen of her own. She would continue lifting for the next two years before a trainer suggested she train competitively.
Popa entered her first local competition in 2000, a regional cup in which she placed second. Later that same year, she placed third in her division at the National Championships. In 2003, upon reaching a weight of 125 pounds (57 kg) she began competing in the heavyweight bracket, representing her country until 2005. In 2006, she relocated to Switzerland, close to Zurich, and has competed for her adopted country as an amateur. She received her IFBB pro card in 2008 after winning the overall and heavyweight at the 2008 IFBB Worlds Santa Susanna.As a pro athlete, she represents her native country, Romania.
Professional
Popa competed in her first Ms. International in 2010 and her first Ms. Olympia in 2011. With the exception of the 2010 Ms. International, every IFBB professional bodybuilding competition Popa has attended has found her placing within the top five. At the 2013 and 2014 Ms. Olympia competitions, she finished second behind Iris Kyle. To date, this is her second highest placing. Her trainer is bodybuilder Dylan Armbrust, owner of Armbrust Pro Gym and ex-husband of professional bodybuilder Heather Armbrust.
Due to injuries, Popa did not participate in the 2015 Wings of Strength Rising Phoenix World Championships, but returned to competition in 2016.
Popa went on to win both the 2018 IFBB Muscle Vodka Tampa Pro and the 2018 Rising Phoenix World Championships.
Contest history
- 2000 Regional Cup - 2nd (HW)
- 2000 IFBB National Championship - 3rd (HW)
- 2003 IFBB National Championship - 1st (MW)
- 2004 IFBB European Championship - 2nd (HW)
- 2005 Mixed Pairs European Championship - 2nd
- 2005 Women’s European Championship - 5th
- 2006 Grand Prix Due Torri - 1st
- 2007 NABBA Miss Universe - 1st (Miss Physique class)
- 2008 IFBB Worlds Santa Susanna - 1st (Overall and HW)
- 2010 IFBB Ms. International - 8th
- 2011 IFBB Ms. International - 3rd
- 2011 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 5th
- 2012 IFBB Ms. International - 3rd
- 2012 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 4th
- 2013 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 2nd
- 2014 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 2nd
- 2016 WOS Rising Phoenix World Championships – 3rd
- 2018 IFBB Muscle Vodka Tampa Pro - 1st
- 2018 Rising Phoenix World Championships - 1st
Statistics
Bodyweight and bodyfat
- 2008 - In Season: 165 lb (75 kg) Off-Season: 181 lb (82 kg)
Measurements
- Biceps
- 2008 - In Season: 17 in (430 mm) Off-Season: 16.3 in (410 mm)
- Back
- 2008 - 47 in (1,200 mm)
- Thighs
- 2008 - In Season: 24.8 in (630 mm) Off-Season: 26.8 in (680 mm)
- Calves
- 2008 - 17 in (430 mm)
Best lifts (for reps)
- Squat - 375 pounds (170 kg) x 4-6 reps
- Bench press - 242 pounds (110 kg) x 4-6 reps
- Bicep curls - 65 pounds (29 kg) each arm x 3 reps
- Deadlift - 308 pounds (140 kg) x 8 reps
Personal life
Popa currently lives in Arvada, Colorado, and she is divorced. As of September 11, 2013, Popa started working at Armbrust Pro Gym in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, as a personal trainer, and also poses as a freelance fitness model.