Special Contents

Trivia

In 1990, USA competitor Joan Wenson performed a new signature move during the national championship: a push-up with one leg extended forward resting on her upper triceps.

The element was named after her, and today the “Wenson Push Up” is still in the FIG Code of Point for Aerobic Gymnastics.

Later that same year, the Italian champion Fabrizio Della Nave attempted for the first time the “Lifted Wenson Push Up”, an unsupported version of the same element, wowing the audience at the 1st European Aerobic Championship.

Joan Wenson signature move

At the 1993 World Championship, Natalie Tomaro (Canada) introduced a new element: a horizontal twist from one leg (a scale position) to a push-up landing. The element is still known as the “Tomaro” and it’s still in the FIG Code of Point for Aerobic Gymnastics.

Several athletes competed for more than one nation after they moved to a different country and kept competing.

Claudio Lima won the first World Aerobic Championship in 1990 in the mixed pair division representing Brazil and then he went on to win a second world title in 1996 for Spain.

Marcio de Oliveira won the World Championship in 1991 representing Brazil and returned to compete in 1997 representing Germany, where he moved after his first win.

Kaloyan Kaloyanov and Konstantza Popova represented Bulgaria in 1996, 1997, and 1998, but then moved to the USA and won the United States National Aerobic Championship in 2001 and 2002.

Helena Cardoso won the mixed pair for Brazil in 1994, and came back on stage several year later representing The Netherland, after marrying the Dutch National Champion Patrick Nahafahik.

Brazilian Leonardo Lins who lived in the United States competed in the 2005 United States National Aerobic Championship However, in observance of FIG rules he had to compete again for Brazil…in the same year.

1995 MP Sandy Brasier, Grant Brasier USA 02

Sandy & Grant Brasier won the United States National Aerobic Championship seven times and still hold the record of the mixed pair who won the greatest number of National titles in aerobic history.

Claudio Franzen and Roberson Magalhaes from Brazil are the only two athletes who won the World Aerobic Championship in three categories: individual, mixed pair, and trio.

1995 IM Roberson Magalhaes BRA 04

1999 IM Claudio Franzen BRA 01

Shou Min Chao from China won three times in the Mixed Pair division in 2010, 2011, and 2016, with three different partners!
Marcio de Oliveira, 1991 World Aerobic Champion, was born with his lower legs fused together. Several operations were eventually successful in separating them, and he succeeded in becoming a dancer, gymnast, and World Aerobic Champion!

Marcio de Oliveira – 1991 World Champion

Mindy Mylrea pregnant on stage

During the 1992 United States National Aerobic Championship Finals, the 1991 champions performed. Mindy Mylrea, however, was not on stage at the beginning of the performance, since she was in the 9th month of her 3rd pregnancy. But surprise! Towards the end of the performance, she appeared on stage and performed the last part of the champions’ routine with her teammates: she really didn’t want to miss their last show together as current champions!
From 2011 to 2015, the Men’s individual International Aerobic Champions were all from Mexico: Jimmy Alfaro in 2011, Juan Josè Quiroz in 2012 and Ivan Veloz in 2013, 2014, and 2015. This record is only beaten by Argentina, whose athletes won the Women’s individual category 9 times in a row: Daiana Nanzer from 2011 to 2016, and Daniela Pinto from 2017 to 2019. Daiana Nanzer is also the record holder of consecutive gold medals.

Diane-Teresi-and-JR-Wenson-wedding-03

Diane-Teresi-and-JR-Wenson-wedding-04

Diane-Teresi-and-JR-Wenson-wedding-01

Diane-Teresi-and-JR-Wenson-wedding-02

USA Champion Diane Teresi married JR Wenson (Joan Wenson’s brother) following the conclusion of a regional USA National Aerobic Championship which was held in the center of San Francisco Shopping Center, surrounded by their friends and fellow competitors. The bride entered by coming down a circular escalator wearing a custom-made white wedding leotard and a veil!

In 1993, the Italian fashion brand Diesel sponsored an International Open for Individual categories. The prize money was 100 million lire, the former Italian currency (nowadays, about 45.000 euros). About 120 individual athletes from 20-some countries performed in the two days of competition for a fully packed pavilion at the Rimini Fair.
The prize was shared between Natalie Tomaro (Canada) and Claudio Lima (Brazil), winners of their respective categories. Runner-ups were Nancy Popp (USA) and Marcelo Santos (Brazil).

1989 Presidential Award

1992 after WAC

1992 Presidential Award

1993 Presidential Awards

For many years, the USA National Aerobic Champions were acknowledged as members of the National Master’s category within the Presidential Sports Award program for their contribution to the sport and physical fitness development. The same honor was awarded to the National Aerobic Championship!

In 1992, Howard and Karen Schwartz were invited by Arnold Schwarzenegger to take part in the Great American Workout, a fitness celebration held at the White House, in the presence of United States President George Bush.

1992 Great American Workout Invitation

1992 Arnold Schwarzenegger at Great American Workout

1992 Howard and Karen Schwartz at Great American Workout

Alan Thicke and Teri Austin 1987

In 1987 and 1988, the Crystal Light National Aerobic Championship Finals televised broadcast was hosted by Alan Thicke, actor, television producer, star of “Growing Pains”, as well as Advisor for the National Fitness Foundation. As a Canadian by birth, Alan Thicke also hosted the televised broadcast of the Canadian National Aerobic Championship Finals with Teri Austin, star of “Knots Landing” who was also originally from Canada.
The famous actress Raquel Welch was featured in the 1987 Crystal Light National Aerobic Championship televised broadcast, sharing her secrets about diet, exercise, and how to look and feel your best.

Raquel Welch with Howard Schwartz

Evelyn Ashford

Judy Sheppard

Greg Louganis

Before aerobic judges became certified professionals, it was common for the judge panel to include sport and fitness celebrities, such as Olympic gold medalists Evelyn Ashford and Greg Louganis; president and founder of Jazzercise Judy Sheppard Misset, President and founder of the IDEA Kathie Davis, Associate Director of the Kenneth Cooper Aerobic Activity center in Dallas Tony Ezell, and Editor of Shape Magazine Christine McIntyre.
In 2000, the World Aerobic Championship was conducted in the Tomorrowland Theater at Disneyland. The Championship opened with a march of nations down Mainstreet with all athletes leading the Disneyland parade with all the Disney characters: Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and more. The intermission was timed so all participants and competitors could witness the incredible Disneyland Fireworks extravaganza.