The 2011 IFBB Tournament of Champions is the last stop on the road to the Olympia. Twenty-three Figure pros have entered this weekend’s competition but only three will qualify for next weekend’s big dance. Four of the competitors are already qualified so it’s highly likely we won’t see anyone knew added to the Figure Olympia. There are of course a few women who may have something to say about that. Let’s break down the field, shall we?
The Hardbody Breakdown:
Teresa Anthony – Teresa has positioned herself as a top contender in every show she enters when she’s in shape. She tends to get better as she goes when she strings shows back to back. She may not be 100% at this show but look for her to be at her best next week at the Olympia. I still see her being in the top call-out and in the top five here.
Michelle Bates – I really like her physique and shape. Look for her to make some refinements since the Europa Supershow and despite her lackluster placings I think she has the potential to be in the mix. I’d like to see her compared to some of the other taller women in the competition to see how she matches up.
Michelle Battista-McDonald – Michelle finished fifth at the 2011 IFBB St Louis Pro but dropped to the bottom of the pack at the Toronto Pro. Michelle turned pro at the 2010 Team Universe. She’ll have her work cut out for her to crack the top five here.
Crystal Chiles – I like Crystal’s look and shape. If she comes in tighter on the lower half than she was at the Phoenix Pro you could see her in the hunt of the top five. She has the potential to hang with the top dogs just needs to dial in the booty and hamstrings.
Krissy Chin – Krissy has already qualified for the Olympia so the pressure is off her to qualify. She will look to gain some momentum heading into the Olympia and be in consideration for a top spot there. She’ll likely be in the top call-out and compared for a top three spot. Krissy has stripped down the muscle and streamlined her physique which is a more suitable look for the division.
Jennifer DeJoya – Jennifer has yet to crack the top five as a pro and I don’t see her doing it here. She has nice structure however when you’re on the pro level it takes a combination of everything to be in the top spots. If she can finish in the top 10 with this line-up it would be victory for her.
Deborah Denio – Deborah was near her personal best at the Phoenix Pro and was in the bottom of the pack. I’d like to see her work on her posing and relax her arms/hands a bit when she hits her back poses. If she can refine some of the little details she could move out of the tied for 16th spot.
Thea Erichsen – I’ve got nothing. I am not familiar with Thea or her previous contest history. She’s listed as being from Norway so if anyone is familiar with her background please share so we can take a look.
Rachel Gichert – Rachel was 10th at the California Pro earlier this year and if she can finish in the top ten here she can consider it a victory. She’s facing tougher competition than she has in the past so we’ll see how she matches up.
Heather Grace – Heather has been competing all year and her body may be ready for a rest. She turned pro earlier this year at the NPC Jr USAs and immediately jumped into the Cal Pro where she finished 12th. She was on the outside of the top ten at the Phoenix Pro as well. I don’t see her cracking the top five here and if I was her trainer I’d recommend she shut things down for the year and get the noticeable hernia fixed.
Carin Hawkins – Carin is back on stage and tends to fair better in California shows than other events. I have her in the mix for the top ten but getting into the top five will be tough. I’d like to see her with a bit more booty than she had in 2010 and we’ll see what she brings to the stage this weekend.
Soleivi Hernandez – Soleivi battled it out in the NPC ranks before turning pro at last year’s Jr USA. She had a less than stellar pro debut at the Europa Supershow this year. If she hopes to be in anything but the last call-out she will need to have a better tan and be much, much tighter. She’s a beautiful woman but will need to step up her game now that she’s in the pro ranks.
Candice Houston – Candice look great for her at the Europa Supershow this year. I’d like to see her tweak her posing a bit when she hits her back poses. She tends to pull her elbows back a bit too far and not open up enough. I can see her in the top ten here.
Tracey MacDonald – Tracey has been competing for some time and will have her work cut out for her to be in the mix here. I don’t have her in the top ten but if she can finish above the dreaded tied for 16th she can chalk it up as a victory.
Lisa Maloy – Lisa made a return to the stage at the Phoenix Pro after some time off. She was way, way too lean and it wasn’t a healthy look. She needs to fill out for this show or she’ll look took stringy once again. My hope for her is that she doesn’t try to come in the same way as Phoenix.
Michele Mayberry – Michele looked her best at the Phoenix Pro and FINALLY brought a pro package to the stage. Her tan is often an issue with her and it was spot on in Phoenix. Whatever she did for her hair, make up and tanning it was what she needs to do for this and every show here on out. A top ten finish would be a solid showing for her.
Jodie Minear – Jodie is a stunning competitor and has taken some time away from the stage since the St. Louis Pro earlier this year. Her legs looked a little under-sized at that show and if she brings a balanced package to this show she’ll be in the top five. She ditched the “Big Bird” looking suit she rocked last year and as long as she doesn’t have any crazy suits this time she could be in the hunt for an Olympia qualification.
Akane Nigro-Ismeal – She’s a shorter competitor and packs some muscle on her little frame but it works for her. She reminds me of Huong Arcinas a bit and has some of calves that are sic. I like her look and if she comes in conditioned without being overly muscular she’ll be in the top two call-outs.
Eleni Plakitsi – I like Eleni’s look and she should be in the top two call-outs. She was ninth at the Phoenix Pro and with a couple little tweaks to her posing and hand position she’s someone we could see in the top five. Originally from Greece she’s a virtual unknown but take note she’s one to watch.
Ann Pratt – Ann is always a bit more poised and relaxed at the night show. If she can bring that same confidence, relaxed, poised look to prejudging she’ll move up a bit. She’ll need to be a bit tighter than she was in Phoenix to crack the top ten here.
Ellena Reidie – Ellana calls Australia home and will be in some deep waters with this line-up. We have yet to see her at her best when it comes to conditioning and being tight enough to compete with a line up like this. We’ll have to wait and see what she presents but it won’t be easy to crack the top 15 here.
Natalie Waples – Where will the judges place our figure friend from the North? Nat has been third and thirteenth this year. That’s a bit of a stretch in placings. She fairs better in California so look for her to be higher than 13th here. Will she be top three again? I wouldn’t bet on it but a top five spot is realistic but then again we thought that going into the Toronto Pro show. She’s already qualified for the Olympia so she’ll look to get back in the hunt for a top spot with no pressure to qualify.
Nicole Wilkins – Do we really need to say anything? Nicole is obviously the winner of this show unless someone spikes her pre-contest meals with salt and she shows up looking like a puffer fish. Ya, not likely. It will be interesting to see what look Nicole brings to the stage as it will serve as a preview for what’s to come when she looks to reclaim the top spot at the Figure Olympia. I think we’ll see her at her all-time best and the bigger story will come next week when she squares off against Erin Stern.
Hardbody Top 3 Predictions:
1. Nicole Wilkins
2. Teresa Anthony
3. Krissy Chin
WHEN:
September 10, 2011
WHERE:
Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium
4117 Overland Avenue
Culver City, California
TIME:
Pre-Judging at 11:00am
Finals at 6:30pm
