Archives for November 2007

I had the opportunity to speak with Jelena just moments ago and she is feeling very good. She had some very good callouts this morning and could bounce between 4-6. She feels the best she’s ever felt before a show…seems like a recurring theme. Ky seems to have that effect on many of the athletes! : )

This lineup is an incredibly diverse field between seasoned veterans and women making their pro debut’s. Add to that 3 athletes competing today are already qualified for the 2008 Olympia.

Jelena Abbou in Kentucky competing for an Olympia Qualification.

I asked Mary Jo how she was feeling after prejudging and she shared, “OMG I feel AMAZING! I’ve never felt so relaxed on stage”. MJ worked the stage and accomplished what she set out to do; be her best. It’s a great way to end an already decorated year for Mary.

Will Momma Flake stand in her way again or will she end the streak of second place finishes? Check back later tonight to find out.

Mary Jo and Momma Michelle Flake are turning it out for the title. The one piece round is taking place now. The top callouts were the same as the two piece. Based on callouts it could go something like this for the final placings:

1. Mary Jo Cooke
2. Michelle Flake
3. Darlina Brown
4. Brenda Smith
5. Jelena Abbou
6. Sherrie Salvadori

Rick will be reporting in later with more updates.

It looks like your top six will be Jelena Abbou, Darlina Brown, Mary Jo Cooke, Michelle Flake, Sherrie Salvadori and Brenda Smith. These women were in the top callouts and all look good. Brenda Smith is making her pro debut at this show. She turned pro by winning one of the 4 pro cards awarded at Jr. Nationals earlier this year. Keep in mind if the top three repeat from last week with Brown, Cooke and Flake the fourth place finisher would be awarded an Olympia qualification. Rounding out the top ten from the looks of things are Shelly Taucher, Liane Seiwald, Cynthia Sharp, Goodlad and Amy Peters. Pia Marlen-Johnsen was also in the second round of callouts and could find herself in the top ten. Crossing over from bodybuilding to figure may not went the way she hoped for Carla Salotti who found herself in the lower part of the lineup.

Thanks to Rick Lohre who is photographing the show and provided me with the callouts along the way.

I had the opportunity to have dinner with Terry and Elaine Goodlad last nite. While Terry and I chomped away at our steak and potatotes she told me that had quite a long/trying Red Eye flight earlier this week, after a few days resting she’s feeling great. The beautiful Bodysport Radio Co-Host told us she is very ready for the show. She’s had quite a long break in her competition schedule which has allowed her body to heal up from the strenuous training and competition run over the past three years. Sacramento Pro ’06 marks Elaine’s last competition since her appearance here in KY. Elaine competed in a remarkable 18 shows in three years. That’s enough to take a toll on anyone. We’ll be looking to see a refreshed Elaine on stage today.
Good Luck Elaine
Props to Terry as well, he has been travelling almost every week shooting and covering shows for Bodysport.com, Oxygen Magazine and Flex. I think at one point he even mentioned that he was Uber-Platinum Level and is now an honorary member of the pilots union…LOL!

Colorado IFBB Figure Pro, Liane Seiwald dropped in to have her makeup done by our makeup artist and took a few minutes to say hello. While the last month has been very busy with a lot of travel, she’s ready to go today. This veteran competitor formerly known as “Diesel” tells us all she wants right now is a big cheeseburger and plate of Dunkin Donuts. Good luck to Liane today.

Hardbody.com is sending it’s Midwest correspondent to cover this show. Tricky Ricky Lohre will be arriving in Louisville soon and upon his arrival will check in with the mother ship.

Mary “don’t call me a bride’s maid no mo” Jo Cooke let me know that she arrived safe last night and is relaxing until show time. She and her trainer feel she looks better than last weekend in Sacramento. She’s looking for her first pro win and has come prepared but you never know how the cards may fall.

Another competitor who checked in with hardbody.com is Michelle “Momma” Flake. She’s looking to make it two in a row this weekend and tells me she is feeling good. She’s cut out her road kill protein and ready to have some fun. The roadkill mention will make sense when our West Coast affiliate transcribes the interview from last weekend.

Jelena Abbou will return to stage and you will see a much tighter Jelena than in the past. She arrives in Kentucky tonight. Keep your eye on her, she could be the dark horse in this lineup.

Check back for more updates on this show throughout the weekend.

I received word from Desha Rodriquez today that her IFBB pro debut won’t take place this weekend. Desha’s girls have been sick with temperatures skyrocketing to over 104 and despite her efforts to stay well, she too fell ill. She went to the doctor yesterday and has a very bad case of the flu. Desha is disappointed to say the least and was looking forward to making her debut this weekend. Right now her focus is on getting healthy, trying to keep food down (hasn’t been able to for the last two days) and making sure her children also get well.

Get well soon Desha and see you on stage in ’08!

The folks at bodybuilding.com have added a nifty little feature where you can select competitor photos from each show and compare them in similar poses. Click on over and give it a whirl with the Sacramento Pro Figure photos.

The ladies doing their quarter turns in Sacramento.

Sacramento Pro Figure lineup.

The American Gladiator show will be taped November 28 – December 12 in Los Angeles, California at Sony Studios. The tickets are free at http://americangladiatorstickets.com/form.html

You’ll have to wear dark clothing, no shirts with logos and no hats.

Today I was sorting through some old files and ran across a few Arnold Classic photos. The photos are horrible and this was back in the days when I didn’t have a press pass or a decent camera. Let’s put the quality of the photos aside and focus on the fact that these IFBB Pro Fitness competitors are not wearing any heels. Hmmmm…. I hadn’t taken note of this until now but it is interesting. A woman’s legs look very different when they are wearing heels. Does anyone have the date when the fitness competitors started wearing heels? I believe it was 2002 or 2003.

Arnold Classic fitness competitors… Notice anyone still competing today?

** Additions to the Pro Figure List as of Thursday.

1 Abbou, Jelena USA
2 Bloomfield, Tina marie USA
3 Brown, Darlina USA
4 Cooke-Elliott, Mary Jo USA
5 Emborg-Silberg, Maickie Denmark
6 Flake, Michelle USA
7 Fortier, April USA **
8 Gibbon, Marie Sweden
9 Gonzalez-Leandro, Celeste Spain
10 Goodlad, Elaine USA
11 Johnsen, Pia Marlen Norway
12 Matthews, Corry USA
13 Mullarkey, Karen USA
14 Nicewarner, Kirsten USA
15 Peters, Amy USA
16 Porter, Marcy USA
17 Rodriiquez, Desha USA
18 Salotti, Carla USA
19 Seiwald, Liane USA
20 Sharp, Cynthia USA
21 Shelby, Kate USA
22 Smith, Brenda USA
23 Taucher, Shelly USA **
24 Tulin-Togrul, Stephanie USA
25 Wright, Jessica USA

Hardbody.com has learned that several NPC/IFBB competitors are confirmed American Gladiators. It’s still tight-lipped as to who made the finals but we assure you, you know most of them. A few cuts have been made from the final group and you might be surprised who made it and who felt the axe. The remake of American Gladiators will be set as a reality show, hosted by Hulk Hogan. The show is set to air for several years and begin airing in January. Despite having the new Gladiators cast, the show is still looking for competitors.

As soon as the information is made public we’ll let you know who made the new American Gladiators’ cast. We’re friends with many of them and don’t want to jeopardize their contracts or the show. Check back for more details in the coming weeks.

Hardbody.com has learned Rose has withdrawn from the show due to illness. More info will come via way of Rick Lohre on the news.

Rose at the Sacramento Pro Figure show where she placed 11th.

The list of those IFBB Pro Figure competitors who have sent in their contracts as of November 7, 2007.

1 Abbou, Jelena USA
2 Bloomfield, Tina marie USA
3 Brown, Darlina USA
4 Cooke-Elliott, Mary Jo USA
5 Emborg-Silberg, Maickie Denmark
6 Flake, Michelle USA
7 Gibbon, Marie Sweden
8 Gonzalez-Leandro, Celeste Spain
9 Goodlad, Elaine USA
10 Johnsen, Pia Marlen Norway
11 Matthews, Corry USA
12 Mullarkey, Karen USA
13 Nicewarner, Kirsten USA
14 Peters, Amy USA
15 Porter, Marcy USA
16 Rodriiquez, Desha USA
17 Salotti, Carla USA
18 Seiwald, Liane USA
19 Sharp, Cynthia USA
20 Shelby, Kate USA
21 Smith, Brenda USA
22 Tulin-Togrul, Stephanie USA
23 Wright, Jessica USA

The 2008 IFBB schedules have been posted and there are a few changes. More shows could get added or removed but as of today the changes breakdown like this:

IFBB Women’s Bodybuilding:
– Sacramento Pro
+ Tampa Women’s Pro

IFBB Fitness:
– All Star Fitness Classic
– Santa Susanna Fitness Clasic
+ Houston Pro Fitness

IFBB Figure:
– Colorado Pro Figure
– Jan Tana Pro Figure
+ Atlantic City Masters Figure Over 35
Note the New York Pro Figure has moved to September.

It will be interesting to see how the Master’s Pro Figure plays out. Visit the Contest Schedule page for the latest updates.

Our friends over at Bodysport.com have a new profile up with rising IFBB fitness star, Julie Lohre. Click on over to their site and read the interview. Kevin works with top photographer Terry Goodlad on the website. It’s a great source of information and photography.

Julie Lohre – An Opportunity to Shine
by Kevin Myles

Being an IFBB Fitness Professional can mean different things for different people. The realities of fame and fortune that come with the moniker of “pro athlete” may exist in some sports but are not guaranteed in the fitness industry even though it’s athletes can match their respective skills to any athlete in any sport. The only thing having a pro card really gives an athlete is an opportunity. An opportunity to continue doing what they love at the highest level. They have earned the opportunity to compete against the best. And they are given the opportunity to prove what they are capable of.

It would be challenging to find anyone capable of creating and then seizing opportunities better than fast-rising fitness star Julie Lohre. Coming off a sensational 2007 which included 8th place in her Fitness Olympia debut, a feature in the Flex Magazine lingerie special, the cover of Oxygen Magazine’s Abs Special, and four top-four finishes in competition, Julie has clearly established herself as someone of note in the fitness world. As a competitor, trainer, coach, wife, and mother, Julie lives her own special version of being a professional athlete.

Read the Full Profile here.

Photo by Terry Goodlad.

I had the chance to shoot with the IFBB Figure Pro, Kristi Tauti on Sunday. Every competitor knows what it’s like to finish competing and want to eat everything in sight. Many competitor’s indulgence lists include candy and chocolate. I’ve competed twice myself and know what it’s like to deprive yourself of sweets and sugar. The thought of having candy again sounds sweet, that is until you over indulge. I thought this concept would make a fun photo shoot because any one who has competed can relate. When I told Kristi about the idea for this shoot she was ecstatic to say the least. Many times shoots take place after shows and often in the gym where the model/competitor gets quite a workout. The only thing this shoot would require lifting was a few pieces of candy.

I’m still sorting through the photos but we were able to get a number of great shots. Kristi was fun to work with and an awesome model. Ron Avidan helped out with lights and picked up another nickname, “Wrapper Man”. When Ron wasn’t eating the props he lent a hand to arranging the candy wrappers around Kristi. We’ll share more photos from this shoot as well asbehind the scenes video in the next few days.

Thanks Kristi, you were great!

Kristi Tauti after the 2007 Sacramento Pro.

Tauti poses in a sea of candy.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

---

Sacramento Pro Figure Updates

November 3, 2007 by Isaac Hinds

Thanks to Rick Lohre for blogging the updates. Ron and I are back at the host hotel recharging camera batteries and relaxing a bit before heading back to the Finals. The show went very smoothly, everything ran quick and we even had time to grab food. The finals start at 6:30pm.

Figure breakdown:
I’d have first between Mary Jo Cooke and Michelle Flake. Mary Jo is six pounds better than her last show and the added fullness suits her well. Her legs are noticeably bigger and I really like the look she brought to this show. Her hair is a bit darker and shorter as well. Michelle Flake brought a much different look than we saw from her last time out. Michelle told us she’s weighing about seven pounds less than last year’s Olympia. Her face is not as drawn in as it has in the past. I like the look she brought to the stage today. The top two will be between Michelle and Mary Jo. Third through fifth is a toss up between Andrea Dumon, Darlina Brown and Sherrie Salvadori. Ron and I have a slight differing of how we see it going down tonight.

I’d place it:
1. Mary Jo Cooke
2. Michelle Flake
3. Sherrie Salvadori
4. Darlina Brown
5. Andrea Dumon

Ron has it:
1. Michelle Flake
2. Mary Jo Cooke
3. Darlina Brown
4. Andrea Dumon
5. Sherrie Salvadori

Michelle has impressed everyone at the show and she will definitely qualify for the Olympia her first time back on stage. Momma Flake done us all proud. Ron did an extensive interview with her that we’ll be posting up later. Huong Arincas looked good in her debut and showed that a shorty can hang in the pro ranks. Huong is 4’10” 3/4 (can’t forget that extra three quarters of an inch). The other pro making her debut, April Fortier should land in the 8-10 placing. She could be a little tighter but still a decent showing for her pro debut. Look for her to be a big sharper next week in Kentucky. Michelle Mayberry tried her hand at the Figure division and while looking good, agreed should could have been a bit a fuller. Michelle turned pro this year and made her debut at the Europa a couple months ago. Look for her to go back to fitness where she will be a strong contender in next year’s shows.

More updates to come. Who will be more accurate in their predictions… Ron or I? We shall see in a couple of hours.

IFBB Figure Pro top six at prejudging.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

---

IFBB Sacramento Pro Figure Updates

November 3, 2007 by Isaac Hinds

The IFBB Sacramento Pro Figure competitors have all checked in and are anxiously waiting the stage. The women received their competitor numbers and a run down about the show, last night at the host hotel. Promoter John Tuman informed the ladies they would be shuttled over to the venue around 10:45 and take the stage around 12 – 12:30pm, California time. The weather in Sacramento is great, there are a couple restaurants in walking distance of the hotel and it should be a good show. The women all look hungry and ready to get on with the show.

Mary Jo Cooke was her happy bubbly self. Andrea Dumon was sporting Gina Aliotti’s workout wear, G-fit and looking good. Huong Arcinas is looking lean and ready for her debut. Momma Flake is ready to step on stage for the first time this year and tells us “she’s ready”. Heather Mae French told us she’s looking forward to the show and glad the Cali weather is warmer than Colorado. Petra Mertl is much leaner in the face than when we saw her make an appearance at the West Palm Beach audience. Kristi Tauti made the drive down from Oregon with her husband and daughter. She tells us the drive down wasn’t too bad and her daughter slept most of the way. Lucky for that dieting momma, aye? April Fortier tells us she excited fro her pro debut and is ready. Rosa-Maria Romero made it in safe and sound from Australia and was sporting her guns, looking lean. Celeste Gonzalez will be taking the stage again and was last seen competing at the Olympia. Don’t worry Ron took lots of photos of all the ladies and we’ll post them later.

IFBB Figure Pro, Celeste Gonazlez receives her number at the evening check-in.

A couple of reasons this show is one of the top figure shows for the women:
1) There are several photographers here – J.M. Manion, Terry Goodlad, Steve Wennerstrom, Ralph DeHann, Bill Comstock, JC lopez and of course Ron Avidan and myself. You’ll be hard pressed to find another pro figure show with that many photographers unless their is a men’s show attached to it.

2) Sandi (Ranalli) Williamson is the head judge of this show and provides great feedback to the competitors. Having feedback from Sandi is often crucial to a competitor’s off-season and what they should focus on improving.

3) A chance to qualify for the Olympia and not have to diet through the holiday season or have the added stress of qualifying throughout the year.

We’ll keep you posted on the happenings of the show. Pre-judging for the women is scheduled to begin at 12:30pm, the NPC portion of the show will begin at 10am.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

---