Tonya Knight
Tonya Knight (born March 24, 1966) is an American professional female bodybuilder.[1]
| Tonya Knight[1] | |
|---|---|
| Bodybuilder | |
| Personal info | |
| Born | March 24, 1966[2] Peculiar, Missouri, U.S.[2] |
| Professional career | |
| Pro-debut | |
| Best win |
|
| Predecessor | Laura Creavalle[1] |
| Successor | Anja Schreiner[1] |
| Active | Retired 1993 |
Early life
Tonya Knight was born in 1966 in Peculiar, Missouri.[2]
Bodybuilding career
Professional
After IFBB officials presented strong evidence against Tonya that she got someone other than herself to supply test-passing urine, she admitted that she sent a surrogate to take a mandatory drug test administered before the 1988 Ms. Olympia, where she finished fourth. In a ruling handed down in November 1989, she was suspended, stripped of her 1989 Ms. International title (which went to runner-up Jackie Paisley) and asked to return her 1989 Ms. International and 1988 Ms. Olympia prize money, totaling $12,000. After the scandal, she returned to the stage in triumph in 1991, winning the Ms. International title, this time without incident. She went on to compete in only two more pro contests, the last in 1993.[3]
Legacy
Tonya remains the only Ms. International winner to lose one of her Ms. International titles. She was inducted into the 2011 IFBB Hall of Fame.[4][3]
Contest history
- 1984 NPC USA Championship - 11th (LHW)
- 1985 NPC USA Championship - 6th (HW)
- 1986 NPC USA Championship - 4th (HW)
- 1988 Pro World Championship - 5th
- 1988 IFBB Ms. Olympia - 4th (later disqualified)
- 1989 Ms. International - 1st (later disqualified)
- 1991 IFBB Grand Prix Italy - 1st
- 1991 Ms. International - 1st
- 1992 Ms. International - 6th
- 1993 Jan Tana Classic - 3rd[1]
Personal life
Tonya currently lives in Overland Park, Kansas. She was married to the late bodybuilder John Poteat, but they divorced. She has 3 brothers named Timothy, Todd and Travis and a few other step and in-law siblings, and a son named Malachi.[2]
Television appearance
Tonya was a regular on American Gladiators, as the character Gold, from 1989 to 1992, until she left due to an injury to her left knee.[4]