Ivancik heads for Olympia
CENTER TWP — Theresa Ivancik is looking to earn herself an early Christmas present — a women's bodybuilding world championship.
And she'll have two cracks at at.
Ivancik, 37, of Center Township won the Chicago Pro Bodybuilding Championship last weekend. The event was moved to Atlanta due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She won out over 21 competitors in that show.
That victory gives her an automatic berth in the Olympia — women's bodybuilding's version of the Super Bowl — Dec. 19 at the Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.
“They're bringing back the Olympia for the first time in six years,” Ivancik said. “I'm excited to be a part of it.”
Bodybuilders can only reach the Olympia by winning a pro show or attaining enough points through top-five finishes at multiple professional events.
Prior to competing at the Olympia, Ivancik will compete in the Rising Phoenix World Championships, a bodybuilding event Dec. 5 in Las Vegas. Participation there is by invitation only.
Ivancik placed sixth in the world at the Rising Phoenix competition last year.
“They invited me back,” she said. “My goal this year is to reach the top five. You certainly don't want to go backward ... keep progressing.”
She anticipates 20 to 25 women competing at the two events. Many will be participating in both.
Ivancik trains other bodybuilders with Jeff Harlan out of Harlan's Fitness gym in Butler. Her coach is Brian Hoydic and she competes for TC Muscle, a company based in Medina, Ohio.
She began competing in the figure division in bodybuilding in 2006. She switched to the bodybuilding division in 2010 and earned her pro card in 2016.
Now she's trying to become the best at what she does.
“It's a dream come true,” Ivancik said of earning a spot in the Olympia. “I've got a chance to make history here in this area.
“A couple of people in the business have told me I could change the look of female bodybuilding, become the new face of it ... no pressure there,” she added, laughing.
She also believes the timing of the Rising Phoenix event could benefit her entering the Olympia.
“Two tournaments that close together, the first could almost be used as a trial run,” Ivancik said. “Whatever didn't work in that one, you fix and adjust for the next one.”
When she does compete in the Olympia, Ivancik will be up against Iris Kyle, a bodybuilder from Las Vegas who is a 10-time Olympia champion.
As for her own preparation, Ivancik said she is concentrating on building up her legs and tighter conditioning.
“I'm happy where I'm at otherwise,” she said. “I need to thank Jeff Harlan, my coach, all of my supporters in this community.
“Competing against the best in a world championship ... that's the pinnacle.”
