Part of the reason the Fitness America Pageant has become so popular is
because of the ever-improving fitness routines. Each year, the standard is
raised higher as ex-gymnasts, aerobic champions, and professional dancers
find their way into the event. Like Kelly Ryan, from Columbia, South
Carolina.
Kelly Ryan has spent most of her life preparing to win an Olympic gold medal in
gymnastics. Kelly studied under the famous Bela Karolyi for six years
alongside champion gymnasts like Mary Lou Retton, and was the National
Champion in gymnastics from age 9 to 11.
However, the lonely, spartan life of elite Olympic-level gymnasts was not for her, and she lefl the mats and
parallel bars behind, Kelly’s athletic career was in limbo until 1995, when she saw the Fitness America Pageant
on ESPN, and she immediately signed up.
She won her first regional competition in Atlanta, and also at the ESPN 2 Series in New York City, Kelly was
the darling of the routine round at the National Championships, finishing first out of 70 competitors, and was
the only contestant to receive a standing ovation. This year, she solidified her reputation by beating 115
women at the Lifequest Triple Crown, then winning another ESPN 2 Series event with an even more
spectacular routine.
The ESPN show American Muscle recently ran a proille of this charming southern belle that endeared even
more fans to her. When she comes to Redondo Beach this year, there will no doubt be a huge cheering
section just for Kelly Ryan.
