Lyen Wong - Miss Bikini, Miss Fitness and Miss Universe Shape

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Interviewed by Amjad Vanimal

Those who were present in FIBO ’08 had certainly not left unnoticed a radiant smile at the BSN booth. It was none other than Lyen Wong. She is a Miss Bikini, Miss Fitness and Miss Universe Shape winner. She is a native Cuban with Chinese and Basque ancestry and has been living in Europe since 2001. She now resides in Dusseldorf, Germany where she works as a personal trainer.

She has a great stage presence, an incredible physique and a beautiful smile that can light up any darkness. Fitness has always been a part of Lyen Wong’s life and she has been participating successfully in fitness competitions on national and international level since 2005.

In an exclusive interview with Physique Executive Editor, Amjad Vanimal, Lyen Wong unlocks the secret of her arresting smile and shape.

‘The Smiling Shape’- How do you feel when you are being called so?

That sounds good! I’m definitely in shape and I’m also a very cheerful person. I like to transmit positivity and good vibes.

How did you get started in the fitness industry?

I have been training with weights since 1997. In 2005 I started to compete in a regional championship in Germany where I moved from my native Cuba in 2003. To my surprise, I won that contest right away and went on to win the German Fitness championship and the Miss Universe Fitness title. That was a great start and it’s been going well ever since.

‘Dot it the Wong Way’- This is the title of your recently released DVD. The title itself shows that you have got a unique way of doing things. May I know what the Wong way is?

The Wong Way refers to my training style and concept. Every athlete and personal trainer has a distinctive style shaped by acquired knowledge and personal experience. In short, the Wong Way is a combination of strength, beauty, elegance, flexibility, movement and attitude!

Miss Bikini, Miss Fitness, Miss Universe Shape. Your title includes all these. These are the top titles that a woman dreams of. How do you feel when you hear that you have all these titles with your name?

Obviously, I am very proud of my achievements. They are the result of hard work and dedication and, of course, the help of many people who support me.

If you were not in the fitness industry what would you have been?

I would have become either a dancer or a gymnast. Both careers fascinate me and they are definitely “the Wong Way”.

Who was your inspiration for lifting weights and competing?

I actually have no one who inspired me to start lifting weights. I just started and things went on from there. The person who inspired me to start competing was my husband. He told me that I looked better than all the girls in the magazines and I should just give it a try.

Over the years of competition are you completely satisfied with your career?

Well, I have only competed for 3 years and I think that I have great things in front of me. I am not satisfied yet because to succeed one has to stay hungry.

What’s your current training programme?

It’s difficult to explain in a few short sentences and my workout routine also changes regularly. It depends if I’m preparing for competitions or not. I usually combine aerobic workouts with weightlifting and stay flexible by practicing yoga.

When you are out of your home how do you manage your training routine?

I use body weight training and use tubes. Tubes are easy to carry in luggage and provide a multitude of training options. Many hotels also have gyms nowadays and I use them whenever they are available.

What do you consider to be your greatest competitive achievement so far?

The 2005 Miss Universe Fitness title was definitely the main highlight. I’m also very proud of my 3rd place at the 2006 world championships in Spain and the 2nd place at the 2007 Miss Universe Fitness. The 3rd place at the 2007 FLEX magazine Miss Bikini contest during the Olympia weekend in Las Vegas was also a great achievement because of the 74 beautiful contestants on stage and the fact that I arrived without much preparation.

Everybody has a dream, may I know what Lyen Wong’s dream is?

I would like to get into the top six competitors in my class in the USA and I’d like to earn my pro card one day.

How do you spend your leisure time?

I like travelling, reading fitness and weightlifting books, meeting friends and visiting my family in Cuba. And enjoying good food, especially chocolate chip ice cream!

What’s your message for the upcoming talents who want to follow your footsteps?

Have a clear goal and never give up until you achieve it, nothing comes for free… But at the end, your own goals are the goals that count. If a jury gives you good marks in a competition or not is not that important as long as you are happy with your achievement.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I have been planning visit Dubai for a number of years now but it hasn’t happened yet. I have heard many things about the rapid development in this country and I’m very curious to experience it myself. Maybe one day.

Competitive Achievement :

Year	Competition	Location	Result
2007	Miss Universe NAC International	Hamburg/Germany	2nd place Miss Universe Shape
2007	Intl. German championship NAC	Ludwigsfelde/Germany	2nd place Miss Fitness
2007	Miss Bikini contest at the Mr. Olympia competition	Las Vegas/USA	3rd place out of 74 contestants
2007	Intl. western German championship NAC (guest appearance)	Rheinbach/Germany	-
2006	N.A.B.B.A. Intl. Inc. World Championship	Benidorm/Spain	3rd place Fitness Shape
2006	German championship NAC	Korntal/Germany	1st place Miss Fitness
2005	Miss Universe NAC/NABBA Intl. Inc.	Aachen/Germany	1st place Miss Universe Shape
2005	Intl. German championship NAC	Salzgitter/Germany	1st place Miss Fitness
2005	Intl. western German championship NAC	Rheinbach/Germany	1st place Miss Fitness
2005	Fitness World Contest	Graz/Austria	1st place Miss Fitness
2005	Festival del Fitness	Rimini/Italy	1st place Miss Fitness
2005	Festival del Fitness	Rimini/Italy	2nd place Miss Bikini
2005	German championship NAC	Schwerin/Germany	2nd place Miss Fitness
2005	Western German championship NAC	Rheinbach/Germany	1st place Miss Fitness

Snapshot

Name : Milagros Lyen Wong
Height : 5’ 6”
Weight : 117 lbs
Biceps : 11”
Quads : 20”
Calves : 14.5
Hobbies : Fitness, Dancing, Sports, Good Food, Shopping