GLADIATOR NAME Siren
ROAD TO DESTRUCTION Valerie Waugaman, a 29-year-old former state high jump champion and Ohio University volleyball player, became an IFBB Pro Figure competitor to stay in shape — and promote her Cleveland restaurant, Octane Café.
YOU DON'T WANT TO MEET HER IN... Hang Tough. ''I am the master of the rings,'' says the 5'9,'' 155-lb. Waugaman. ''It entails so much strategy. You always have a choice between two different directions. My goal is to at least make that first move towards [the competitor]. If they hesitate, I just stay on my rings and wait to see the next move. As soon as I'm close, I start to grab them. It startles them.''
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT '''Siren' fits both ways: I'm like the siren that lured the pirates into the bay, and I'm really loud. I'm moving my arms like, 'Whooo! Whooo!' I want to make sure the competitors can feel my presence.''