Meet Kristina Mendoza: Ms Olympia bodybuilder, Tampa & Chicago champ and four-time posing winner

KRISTINA Mendoza’s transformation from a spirited young gymnast to a professional bodybuilder is a captivating journey of resilience and determination.

She turned perceived disadvantages into strengths, ultimately earning her place in the 2024 Ms Olympia competition.

Kristina Mendoza is a professional bodybuilder

She faced challenges during her time as a cheerleader and dancer due to her muscular legs

Kristina Nicole Mendoza is a professional bodybuilder and fitness enthusiast known for her remarkable journey from gymnastics to competitive bodybuilding.

Born with an abundance of energy, Kristina began her athletic career in gymnastics at the tender age of five.

Growing up in Florida, she also engaged in competitive dance and cheerleading.

Despite her athletic background, Kristina faced challenges due to her naturally muscular legs, which she felt were a disadvantage in dance and cheerleading.

However, what was seen as a hindrance in one domain became a genetic advantage in bodybuilding.

Journey into bodybuilding

After high school, Kristina found herself gaining weight and joined a gym to maintain her fitness.

It was during this time that she began receiving comments on her physique, leading her to consider entering bodybuilding competitions.

Her first experience was at the 2016 Dayana Cadeau Classic, where she secured second place in the physique category.

However, Kristina received feedback about her muscular legs, which prompted her to switch categories.

With the guidance of a new coach, she transitioned to bodybuilding, embracing her powerful physique rather than trying to downsize it.

In her first bodybuilding competition, she achieved third place at the 2017 NPC contest and later placed fourth at the NPC Nationals.

Rising star in bodybuilding

In 2018, Kristina earned second place in the Ms International Classic during the Chicago Pro event, and in 2019, she returned to the Arnold Classic, where she claimed the overall title in the Ms International Classic and earned her Pro Card.

Her journey continued with a pro debut at the 2019 Rising Phoenix Bodybuilding event, followed by several more competitions, including placing 6th place at the 2020 IFBB Savannah Pro and 2nd place at the 2021 IFBB Chicago Pro.

In recent competitions, Kristina has continued to excel, achieving first place in Women’s Bodybuilding at the 2023 IFBB Chicago Pro on July 20, 2023, and further solidifying her status as a top competitor by placing first again in Women’s Bodybuilding at the 2023 IFBB Rising Phoenix Arizona Pro on September 30, 2023.

She also competed at the 2024 IFBB Tampa Pro on August 3, 2024, where she placed first.

The victory in Tampa secured her spot at the 2024 Ms Olympia Competition, which is set to take place on October 11, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada.