One-time Bikini Olympia competitor Monique Ricardo swapped her sparkly bathing suit and heels for a gi and discovered she had a knack for choking people out.
MONIQUE RICARDO IS A LONG-LEGGED, soft-spoken Virginia native armed with enough Southern charm to kill you with kindness. In 2008, she started transitioning from IFBB pro bikini competitor to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, in which she has become a champion and acquired the skills to twist you into a human pretzel.
After placing eighth at the 2010 Bikini Olympia, Ricardo scaled back on competing to focus on BJJ. The move proved successful, as she went on to win multiple tournaments, all while raising two kids with her husband in Dallas. She hasn’t stepped on an IFBB stage since 2014 but uses her experience and gym training to better her execution on the mat.
M&F: Do you have plans to compete in bikini again?
MR: At this point, no. This is my first year as a black belt, and I’m focused on establishing my name in that world. Last June, I competed in the IBJJF World tournament, which is like the Mr. Olympia for jiu-jitsu, and I got third place.
What got you into training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu?
My now-husband Eddie—he was my friend at the time—teaches BJJ and wanted me to take classes with him. At first I thought it was awkward, but I stayed.
How long did you train in BJJ before you entered tournaments?
Esta historia es de la edición September 2016 de Muscle & Fitness.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 2016 de Muscle & Fitness.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
7 Things Fitness Insiders Want You To Know
We asked seasoned coaches and trainers in the fitness industry for tips and advice that they wish all their clients and social media followers knew. From dispelling myths about training with injuries to assuming all box gyms suck, your training IQ is all but guaranteed to rise a few points after digesting these tidbits.
GRAGE AGAINST THE MACHINES
Fitness entrepreneur James Grage ditched the gym for resistance band workouts to spend more time with his family. Judging by his results, he won’t be returning anytime soon.
GO TO BED TIRED
Forget brains, talent, or genetics. For Special Forces operator and former UFC fighter Tim Kennedy, hard work is the most important factor to a rewarding life.
FINE ART: CHISELING A COMPETITION-QUALITY UPPER BODY
How physique competitor Osamoje Imoohi shaped his mind and impressive body through fitness.
Light Up Your Legs
Juan Morel’s continued quest for bodybuilding’s top prize begins with his killer leg workout.
ROMAN'S SECOND REIGN
After being sidelined with leukemia in 2018, WWE Superstar Roman Reigns returned bigger and stronger—both inside and outside the ring.
COOL RUNNINGS
To break out of his fitness funk, M&F ’s chief content officer, Zack Zeigler, challenged himself to complete a 5K, a 10K, a half marathon, and a 24-hour, 30-mile Spartan Race all in a week’s time.
THE FUTURE OF STEROIDS
M&F explores the advancements being made to PEDs, emerging drugs, and what this all means for the future of bodybuilding and other sports
BRAIN FOOD
These seven foods will nourish your body and sharpen your mind.
THE MODERN RUNNING SHOE...DISSECTED
More innovations have been made in the past decade to the running shoe than ever before, resulting in a product so efficient it was almost banned from all running events. Here are the major changes that have led us to the pinnacle of performance footwear.
