Alina Popa

Alina Popa (born October 12, 1978) is a Romanian-born professional female bodybuilder. She ranks as the 2nd best female bodybuilder in the IFBB Pro Women's Bodybuilding Ranking List.

Early life and education

Popa grew up Brăila, Romania. At the age of 12, she began competing in track and field in order to lose weight. In college she studied English and Romanian for four years, majoring in the former.

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 ever since. She received her IFBB pro card in 2008 after winning the overall and heavyweight at the 2008 IFBB Worlds Santa Susanna.