Sarah Page has gotten used to the double-takes, whether it’s at a cosplay event, a wrestling show, or in fitness and bodybuilding competitions.
You see, Page is a dead ringer for the late Joanie Laurer, who wrestling fans knew as Chyna.
How great is the resemblance and the tribute? Laurer’s mother, Jan, has endorsed Page, who uses the handle Chyna Syndrome.
And now the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) has too, meaning Page can move up the ranks in that highly-competitive world.
Page may be a 35-year-old bodybuilder and Chyna lookalike, but she has a rich history of her own.
First, Page studied mental health awareness at City College in Peterborough, England, then makeup artistry at Peterborough College, and she is currently studying to be a certified personal trainer.
Wrestling fans became aware of Page not long ago when “X-Pac” Sean Waltman posted a photo of the two of them to social media; Waltman, of course, famously dated Laurer.
The way Page sees it, the pro wrestling community has fully embraced her in a very positive way. Others besides Waltman have supported both her career and efforts to commemorate Chyna’s memory.
This isn’t just a publicity stunt. Page is truly a Chyna fan.
“She gave me the confidence to embrace who I am and realize being different is okay,” Page told SlamWrestling.net. “I have said so many times on my social media I truly owe her so much!”
Chyna was Page’s favorite from the start: “From the moment I discovered Chyna I was fascinated by this strong, powerful woman. There was nothing like her and she just blew me away. The more I learned about her the more I adored her. From reading her book If They Only Knew, I also began to identify with her on a personal level as ‘the girl that never fit in.'”
There is a lot more to Laurer than the public persona, added Page.
“I have had the honor of speaking to a lot of people close to her and not only was she this strong powerful force she was an incredibly beautiful, caring human being,” Page said. “From cosplaying her, I have had the amazing privilege of meeting some of the people that have worked with her: Trish Stratus, X-Pac and Chris Jericho. They have all said how much I look like her which is still crazy to me. These are wrestlers I have watched for years which blows my mind.
“I have said it many times, but I truly owe her so much and no words can begin to comprehend the way she has changed my life in so many ways,” said Page.
Now Page’s life is changing too.
In July 2024, she entered her first bodybuilding contest, a British Physique Alliance-sanctioned meet, and she won in the physique class and later that day won first overall. Her teammate, Helena Gomm, won second in her division as well.
Then on September 24, Page earned her IFBB Pro Card, at the British Physique Alliance Championships, just days after her birthday. It means she can participate in bigger competitions.
Page’s Facebook post announcing the news is infectious and celebratory:
Well today has been absolutely unbelievable I can’t quite get my head around it!!! Won my class and my overall and…. IFBB PRO CARD!!! It was always my goal when I wanted to compete but my first year. Unreal!!! Dreams do come true if you want them bad enough and work hard for them!! I couldn’t have done this without Deborah Shelton, PT Helena Gomm, and Simon Gomm you all pushed me and believed in me! Bringing it home for Peterborough’s best gym Fitness Station!!! Thankyou to Nicola Gilbert for tanning me today absolutely the best tan!!! Thankyou BPA UK Helen Panther for an amazing final!! Bikini sponsored by Frosted GWB Bespoke Bikinis, Tan by A1 comp tanning, Nicola Gilbert, Team active bodies.
British Female body builder pioneer Angela Graham is a believer in Page. “She has a fantastic physique and mindset for this sport I know she will go far,” Graham said.
There’s a team aspect to the fitness and bodybuilding world that might not be initially evident. Active Bodies is a team of strong fellow female body builders, and it’s led by former bodybuilding champion Debrah Shelton. Another teammate, Helena Gomm, makes their outfits through her Frosted Bikinis business.
All the competitions and cosplaying have gotten Page attention, but there will be more down the road, as she will be featured in a documentary called Build Her, inspired by former British IFBB Pro bodybuilder Joanna Thomas and NPC champion Dawn Whitham, and directed by former Ms. Fitness and NBA cheerleader Candi Capoferri.
RELATED LINKS
- Sarah Page’s socials: Instagram * X/Twitter * TikTok
- Slam Wrestling’s Chyna story archive
