Most shows the best seat in the house is in the press pit, second only to where the judges are sitting. I caught up with J.M. Manion who is a long time photographer and has seen countless NPC/IFBB events. He was kind enough to share his thoughts on the 2008 NY PRO Fitness.
Front view from the press pit.
Ok. so I’ve been home a couple of days & had a chance to reflect on the contest. Here are my thoughts. Please note that I have seen all the American girls come through the NPC & was there when they all placed in whatever contest to turn pro.
First & foremost, no matter what, the physiques played a major part in who placed where. That was never more obvious than with Trish Warren. The judges said that Heidi Fletcher had achieved the perfect balance with her physique between last year’s Fitness Olympia & Palm Beach Pro Fitness where she was told she was too soft in Las Vegas & too hard in Palm Beach. Heidi is always known for innovative routines & after having played the bridesmaid the past 2 years at this contest, it was nice to finally achieve her first IFBB win. This is the reason she sat out of the Arnold Classic. Now she moves on to the Houston Pro Fitness. I also have to give MAJOR props to Heidi knowing that before she went on stage to perform her 2-minute fitness routine, she was not feeling 100% but she pulled it off because she just wanted it that bad & dug down deep to do it!
Nicole Wilkins in her pro fitness debut proved she will be successful in both aspects of IFBB Fitness & Figure. I realize she didn’t place well in her pro figure debut at the Arnold, but look at her Round 1 & 2 scores here. Those are the physique scores. I don’t think I’ll be going out on a limb to say she will get a Figure Olympia qualifying placing in the upcoming Pittsburgh Pro Figure. So the girl is for real. Nicole has already made improvements all around since she last stepped on this stage to make NPC history. So now she’s already qualified now for the Fitness Olympia. The question will then be… which contest does she enter in Las Vegas?
Back to Trish Warren. Where have you been hiding that physique girl? She must know a good person to train her! (That is a joke people! She is married to IFBB PRO Branch Warren) Anyway, in the 2-piece Trish blew them off stage. I knew the tide had turned when the final comparison in that round was just Heidi & Trish. And honestly, Trish was not always well known for her routines but in N.Y.C., she nailed it. I felt her overall performance of her 2-minute routine was much more fun & entertaining than her 45 second routine & feel that she should give a go at the Houston Pro Fitness as well if she hasn’t already planned on it.
Some major surprises? Nicole Duncan & Kendra Elias. Duncan along with Fletcher easily had the best 2 minute fitness routines hands down. Having seen Nicole D. compete last year, the knock against her was her physique. Well, she made some drastic changes to warrant first call-out in both physique rounds! If she continues refining her physique & with the mad routine skills she has, look out because she’s going to be a threat. I was also impressed with Kendra Elias. The transformation she made with her physique was noticable. Without a doubt, the best she’s ever looked on an IFBB stage. Her dance background showed through in her 2 minute routine & the only critique I would have is she needs something in the routine to make everybody go WOW! Look for these 2 on the Fitness Olympia stage this year.
And here’s another surprise because everybody was touting her to win this show if not qualify for the Fitness Olympia – Oksana Grishina tied for 6th with Michelle Mayberry in the 2 minute fitness routine & placing 7th overall. Do I feel it was justified? Surprisingly – yes! Oksana definitely brought Broadway theatrics & showmanship to the stage but the problem, in my humble opinion, is that she brings a performance which is stunning & great for guest posing, but she needs to add more strength moves to her routine. I feel she placed so well at last year’s Fitness Olympia because the judges had never seen anything like that. Her placings at this show & at the Arnold Classic show that she is going to need to bring up her physique & modify her 2 minute routine if she plans to qualify for the Fitness Olympia this year & hopes to improve upon her placing at the Fitness Olympia. Also keep an eye on Bethany Wagner. She’s a sleeper & with her placing in the middle of the pack in her pro debut, she just might be one to sneak up on everybody & qualify for this year’s Fitness Olympia.
What really stunk was having 2 competitors doing their 2 minute routines & outfits based on The Phantom Of The Opera. It stinks in the fact that the 2nd person waiting backstage hear’s the same music she’s choreographed her routine to & realizes it’s not her! What runs through the 2nd competitor’s mind at that time?
In all, a very entertaining contest with loads of new competitors which is great to see.
Next stop, which isn’t much of a stretch for me – the Pittsburgh Pro Figure.
Thanks J.M.! You can see a few of his photos on IFBBpro.com and FLEXonline.com.
