The IFBB’s first Bikini Olympia is just weeks away and the landscape changed a bit after last weekend’s Europa Super show. Many, myself included, felt that Nathalia Melo was the standard for bikini and on her way to becoming the first Bikini Olympia champ. She was off at the Europa show in a few ways. At the prejudging her make-up was flat and a bit muddy, her upper body was way too lean and stringy and her posing wasn’t what we’ve come to expect. Amanda Latona on the other hand, brought a more balanced physique and improved stage presence. I’d still like to see Amanda bring a bit more confidence and sass to her individual poses. When she is posing in the comparison rounds you can see her competitive nature come out and she turns it up a notch.
I expected Nathalia to be announced in second but she was relegated to third. A reminder that if it isn’t broke don’t try to fix it. She presented a different look than what won her two previous shows. If you’re winning it makes little sense to change things up, unless the judges tell you to. She came in looking like a different competitor at the night show with improved make up and a softer upper body.
Brazilian Bikini competitor – Nathalia Melo.
Amanda Latona moving to the front of the bikini pack.
So what can we make of this?
Latona improves and beats a less than spot on Melo. Ali Rosen has been a judge’s favorite since turning pro last month at the NPC USAs. We also have Sonia Gonzales who has improved steadily over the year and Dianna Dahlgren who notched a win in Hartford. If Melo is 100% and looks more like she did in Orlando and less like Dallas I’d still consider her the front runner for the Olympia. There’s no arguing that Amanda Latona is a stunning woman and is in the mix for the top spot as well. Both Latona and Melo have booties that are unmatchable in the bikini division. Which is why I find it perplexing that Rosen finds herself in the mix of a top five spot heading into the Olympia. It’s no knock on her but the judges have taken a liking to her physique which is completely different from Latona and Melo’s. Amanda has a bit more muscle than Melo and Rosen which also throws a wrench into what the standard for bikini should be. All of these women are beautiful and the top five will make for an impressive line-up.
It will definitely make for a competitive Bikini Olympia. What do you think?
Amanda Latona’s body is the TRUTH!!! What happened to Nathalia and how she placed 3rd with her almost sickly look physique, I don’t know. Also, why is Ali Rosen even in the top 5? Her presentation is lacking, she looks contorted when posing on stage and is not nearly as beautiful Latona, which brings me to the booty shot. Amanda, I see a true Physique Athlete-A CLASS ACT, a Star! The other two, it’s like those booty shot poses that advertise adult cabaret shows in Vegas. It’s nothing personal, but all competitors need to take a page out of Latona’s book. Classy and dignified, yet sexy, glamorous and hot as fire!
I totally agree!!
Amanda Latona should be the standard for bikini!
Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one….however to call these women, someone’s daughter, someone’s sister, friend or mother degrading names is not right. It is very tough to train hard and put yourself out there for a bunch of people who have no idea about what it takes to be dedicated and put out a package of perfection every time to critique. I think all the ladies look great, they don’t look like vegas girls at all, give them a break!
I get what you are saying about Ali and the booty but maybe the judges liked her fresh face not to take anything from Latona and Melo. I do agree with Kristal these women do train hard and are dedicated! I was not a fan of bikini in the beginning but it looks like the judges have really brought up their standards, so the division has won me over!
. Nicely said Kristal! All competitors in this sport are committed to living healthy fit lifestyles which can be challenging at times and takes dedication. I think the men and women who get on stage inspire and motivate others which is a positive thing. It is great to critique a competitor on the good and the bad but it is important to keep a positive tone.
Ms. KristaI & Kathleen – If you understood the entirety of my commet, you would realize that I was speaking specifically about the booty pose, NOT about the competitors personally. You’re DEAD WRONG to even suggest that I called them degrading names or degraded them in anyway. I never said THEY look like Vegas performers-I COMMENTED ON THE POSE ONLY! Also, you’re condesending to assume that the people who watch these competitions don’t appreciate the dedication and work it takes-WHY would they use their money and time to purchase magazines, visit websites like this or pay to attend shows?Also, this is A COMPETITION!!!!! If you guys consider yourselves Professional athletes, then suck up the not so flattering comments like Professional Athletes do! Sugar coated comments are for little league! So, IF YOU CAN’T TAKE THE HEAT, GET THE HECK OUT OF THE KITCHEN!
WOW , So much drama!!!! Just wondering….is Bikini becoming a SPORT or SEX show? Seems as though this is all changing so much from hard working Figure and Fitness to something of a Sex Show! Sorry, but this is how it appears.
wow this is getting alot of negative attention i think we need to take a step back and notice these competitors are putting themselves out there to be judged and not to be Criticized we all know this is extrememly hard to do to just step on stage so more power to them and you still have to do the work in the weightroom and also the diet lets just give them all a great round of appreciation and see who wins when the time comes. they are all winners in my book only for the commitment and the dedication it takes to just be on the stage….. and i am leaving it at that
Vance how do you figure it’s getting “alot of negative attention” – a few differing of opinions doesn’t mean anything negative.
Mia is a bit fired up but hey it’s her opinion.
Just throwing it out there mia….You are not at a pro level. I notice that those who can’t do, critique. I don’t see any of the pros on here leaving such rude comments. Yes there is a little sex to be sold in the bikini div.(yawn)….big deal, what is sexy to Tom may not be sexy to you. You can say what you want, but at the end of the day these ladies are still doing it! Sorry if you cant take that then get outta the kitchen. lol
“Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one”! Remember this, Kristal? It’s what you lead off your previous comment with and proceeded to follow it up with more RUDE and DECLASSE comments. You must have forgotten about that when you also said ” don’t see any of the pros on here leaving such rude comments”
Secondly, amy@aol.com is the one who brought SEX into the conversation, not me, so make sure you direct your comments accordingly.
Thirdly, there are more ways to be at a PRO level. I’ve been a PROfessional in the healthcare industry for 13 years. The only way I will continue to be at the top of my game: Learn to take a critique, apply or not, move forward and progress to higher levels as a result.
BTW, I’ve got my apron on and the pan out – the kitchen can get as hot as it wants!
And thank you Issac, because it is my opinion and truly was not attacking anyone personally.
Kuddos to you we need more health care providers as passionate as yourself. You might want to stick to what you know. Best of luck to you. I have get back to my clients…
My best to you too and by the way, maybe you should get a therapist or a counselor to help you work on that self esteem. You’re trying so hard to convince us that you’re so superior by being rude, arrogant and condesending in your comments that it becomes obvious that the only person you’re trying to convince is YOU. That’s one of the many things I KNOW.