The 2011 Arnold is coming up quick and the deadline for IFBB Pros to enter is even sooner. This Friday is the final day for female bodybuilding, fitness figure and new this year, bikini pros to submit for an invite. This is the only show on the IFBB Pro League schedule that is an invite only event. The pro events are all part of the Arnold Sports Festival set to take place March 3-6, in Columbus, Ohio.
The figure division typically sees nearly 100 women submit for an invite each year. The bikini division will likely be no different. The NPC National winner in figure and fitness typically receive an invite to this show. If that holds true we’ll see Monica Specking in figure and Stacy Wright in Fitness. There’s no guarantee anyone will receive an invite though. A selection committee votes on who they feel should be in the show and then lists are compiled from there. Typically around 15 women are invited in each division but it has been up or down from there in the past. It’s up to promoter Jim Lormier on the final list and the numbers invited. Those who placed in the top 6 of the Olympia have the best shot at getting in. Also those who competed and placed well in the final shows of the year have a good chance at getting and invite. I could see Courtney West getting invited based on her NPC USA win followed by her Houston Pro Figure win. Noemi Ola has been offered an invite in the Bikini division based on her win in the amateur portion of the show last year. She’s also the 2010 Detroit Bikini Pro champ.
There’s a saying, you’re only as good as your last show. If you’ve tied for 16th the last two shows you’ll have a more difficult time proving why you should receive an invite over someone who has been victorious. This is an international event, so look for a few names from across the globe and beyond the United States. Invites typically are announced before Christmas so we could see a list within the next 10 days.
Who do you hope to see on the invited list(s)?
