The inaugural Iowa Pro Bikini is in the books and that leaves just one remaining IFBB Pro show left on the calendar. Vanessa Campbell locked in her first win as a pro and in doing so qualified for the 2012 Olympia. Vanessa has steadily improved her physique over the last few months and in doing so positioned herself back at the top of the bikini ranks.
Candyce Graham was my pick for the win heading into the show and she came close with a runner-up finish. No shame in that, especially when it’s Vanessa who places ahead of you (who I had pegged for second heading into the show). Candyce lights up the room when she smiles and poses with ease. She lit it up in Iowa and her second place finish sends her to the 2012 Olympia. Don’t be surprised if you see Candyce on the Bikini International stage next March in Columbus, Ohio. Third place finisher may be no surprise to some while others are a little shocked. It’s not totally out of the question that Nicole finished in the top three as she was fourth at the Ft. Lauderdale Cup and has a look that the judges on the Iowa panel like. Congrats to Nicole on her first trip to the Olympia stage and her highest placing as an IFBB pro.
Cristina Vujnich is someone I had in my top three but she was relegated to fourth. The finish has to be a little bitter sweet for Cristina as only the top three qualify for the Olympia. Another shocking finish to many who follow bikini is Diana Fields in fifth place. Diana was 12th at the Tijuana Pro and earlier this month finished in 8th at the Sacramento Pro. Perhaps enlisting the help of a new trainer was what Diana needed to bring her physique in line with what the judges were looking for. This is her highest finish of the 2011 season.
A few names people expected to see in the top group like Tianna Ta and Jennifer Andrews were left out in the Iowa cold. Ron Avidan has Roya in his top five predictions but she too was left on the outside of the top five looking in. It goes to show you never know how a show can go and the so called “experts” don’t always get it right.
Everyone who commented on this event noted that promoter Jack Titone did a great job of taking care of everyone and the venue was great. It’s always encouraging to hear positive feedback from those in attendance and that a promoter is looking out for the athletes and fans. Props on a successful first pr show in Iowa. The show also had a NPC competition and a Men’s 212 Pro Bodybuilding show which was won by Tricky Jackson.
2011 IOWA PRO BIKINI RESULTS:
1. Vanessa Campbell*
2. Candyce Graham*
3. Nicole Moneer-Guerrero*
4. Cristina Vujnich
5. Diana Fields
6. Tianna Ta
7. Jennifer Andrews
8. Roya Tehrani
8. Kim DeArcangelis
10. Heather Nappi
11. Christie Marquez
12. Christy Merritt
13. Khanh Nguyen
14. Michelle Trasey-Hutton
15. Kristie Trasey-Winter
16. Jennifer Dietrick
17. Trina Goosby
*Qualify for 2012 Bikini Olympia
Vanessa photo by Dan Ray.
