Russian Bodybuilding Star, Who Was Once World’s Strongest Girl and Earned a Hug From Arnold Schwarzenegger, Looks Unrecognizable in Amazing Transformation

Maryana Naumova had been bench-pressing since the age of 13. She is known for over 24 under-18 world records. As a teen, she has often been nicknamed the strongest girl in the world.

Naumova weighed only 130 lbs when she was 13 years old. But this did not stop the athlete from bench-pressing 240 lbs. Once she received a special gift from the reputed bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger upon achieving a record once deemed impossible.

Arnold Schwarzenegger acknowledged Maryana’s strength 

At the age of 15, Naumova stunned the world when she bench-pressed 330 pounds. This magnificent feat resulted in her earning a hug from the bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger.

It was during the time when Maryana was competing in the Arnold Classic Tournament in 2015. She received the surprise gift from Arnold back then. Her feat at the 7x Mr. Olympia winner’s prestigious strength competition granted her another feather in her cap.

Read More: Strongest Teenage Girl Who Bench-Pressed 330 Pounds at 15 Was Afraid to Come to America in 2015: “Thought People Would Dislike Me or Avoid Me” 

Naumova shot to fame for being the first underage girl from Russia to compete in a powerlifting contest. Fast forward seven years later, Maryana is an established social media influencer with her own dedicated fan following.

Maryana grew up to be unrecognizable

After Maryana entered the professional bodybuilding industry, the former Russian powerlifter has undergone a drastic makeover. Presently, she has a follower count of 32,000 on Instagram. The ‘master of sport’ from Russia likes to maintain a travelogue on her social media. The 23-year-old has been a victim of controversy after testing positive in a drug test in 2016.

Aged 22, Naumova looks completely different, having dyed her hair brown. In 2015, while talking to NBC News, she once confessed that she thought “people would dislike me or avoid me.” Nonetheless, the situation turned out to be quite the opposite. “But it was nothing like that,” later explained the weightlifter.

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She is also known for her association with the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. In 2017, she once stated, “To me, communism, first and foremost, equals justice.” The powerlifter has refused to let geo-political tension hamper her career. She has repeatedly reached out to Schwarzenegger and has even admitted that he is an important person in her life.

Isn’t her journey quite inspiring? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.