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?
