The first IFBB Pro Fitness event is days away and the line up is one of the most competitive we’ll see all year. It will be interesting to see how the women approach this competition as a number of them will be competing in two weeks at the Fitness International. The most decorated fitness competitor of all-time, Adela Garcia will look to continue her winning ways while others look to begin a reign of their own. Let’s break down the 11 competitors who will take the stage this Saturday in Santa Monica, California.
I sincerely hope we see the judges reward the routines and follow the rule change that was implemented at the end of 2010. It’s my opinion that we didn’t always see the best routine rewarded last year. All too often the woman with the best physique score ends up placing higher than they should in the routine round. It’s not always the case but if we see the best routines awarded those who win the physique rounds may not win the whole show. It makes it more exciting from a media and fan perspective not knowing who will win until the routines are finished. The fitness routines are the closest thing to showing athleticism the IFBB Pro League has and we’ll see some of the elite perform this Saturday.
2012 IFBB FLEX PRO FITNESS COMPETITORS:
1. Jodi Boam – This Canadian youngster put herself on the map, at least in the pro ranks, last year. She has one of the strongest routines in the competition and continues to refine her physique. She’s without question one of the rising stars in the division. Jodi was 8th at the 2011 Fitness Olympia and will be a contender at the FLEX PRO.. I’d like to see her bring the confidence and strength she did when she competed at the New York Pro. See Jodi’s competition photos here.
2. Myriam Capes – Mimi has changed her physique over the last few years from a little tank to one of balance. It’s common to see Canadian competitors enter the IFBB Pro ranks with more muscle than the judges prefer. This is because they have to pack the muscle on in order to achieve pro status in the Canadian ranks. When I first saw Myriam compete I thought she’d struggle in the pro ranks because of her physique. She proved me wrong and has positioned herself as one of the leading ladies in Fitness. She was third at the Fitness Olympia and will be a contender here. She has one of the best routines and I like when she shows off her strength and gymnastics in her routine. See Myriam’s competition photos here.
3. Bethany Cisternino – Bethany has one of the best physiques in this line up and if she’s in shape she will be in the first call out. She has impressive gymnastic skills and her routines continue to improve. If she brings her best to the stage she’ll be a contender here. I could see her winning the physique round and then it’s all down to how she performs her routine. She was 7th at the 2011 Fitness Olympia. See Bethany’s competition photos here.
4. Allison Either – Allison has been up in down in her placings as a pro. She’s finished in the top five but yet to move up higher than fifth. She continues to streamline her physique and her routines are improving. She’ll have her work cut out for here in this line up and if she finishes in the top five, I’d consider that a successful debut to the 2011 season. She has the moves in her routines to do well, it’s just a matter of them all being choreographed in a successful manner. See Allison’s competition photos here.
5. Adela Garcia – Adela is coming off another Fitness Olympia win and it’s been years since she’s finished out of the top spot. She was sidelined in 2008 with what many thought would be a career ending injury. Adela battled back and has won 8 shows in a row. Can she make it 9? If you ask her she will say of course chico. Adela will be in the top callout for the physique round and then we’ll see what she brings to the routine. It will likely include some Latin flare and her flying around the stage. She’s definitely the one with a target on her back and the one every competitor is looking to take out of the winner’s circle. See Adela’s competition photos here.
6. Oksana Grishina – Oksana has become one of the industry’s favorites amongst fans. She always performs a creative routine and last year we saw her showcase the “Avatar” themed routine. She’s struggled in the physique rounds over the years. She used to come in way too muscular and hard. Oksansa has managed to balance her physique and give the illusion of a tinier waist. She’ll be in shape and we’ll await what routine she has in store for the 2012 season. She performs moves with such ease that people often overlook the difficulty. Some of the naysayers said her routine was too slow for the pro ranks but that’s not the case any more. She’s got a chance to move up from her 5th place Olympia finish. See Oksana’s competition photos here.
7. Paula Gulman-Williams – Paula turned pro at the 2011 NPC JR USA. She’s wanted a chance to compete against the best in the world of fitness and now she has her chance. She definitely brings energy to the stage when she performs. This will be her IFBB Pro debut and nothing like jumping into the deep end of the pool to kick off your pro career. I don’t see Paula cracking the top five here but we’ll have to wait and see what she brings to the stage. See Paula’s competition photos.
8. Tanji Johnson – Tanji has been the bridesmaid more times than she likely cares to count. It used to be a question of if Tanji would be in shape for the show but she’s been consistent over the last few years there. She brings an entertaining routine to the stage most of the time. Many people weren’t big fans of her “save fitness” routine with the telephone booth but they did enjoy the STOMP routine. If she brings a solid routine and a conditioned physique to the stage she could take over the number one spot headed into the Arnold. It would certainly make for an interesting Fitness International if she does. Look for Tanji to have the eye of the tiger and she looks move out of Adela’s shadow. See Tanji’s competition photos here.
9. Michelle Mayberry – Michelle has been up and down and all over the map in her placings. She has had trouble with her tanning in the past but looked to have figure that out in her recent outings. She’s also showed that how you wear your hair can make a difference in how you stand out from the competition. She has a balance physique and if she can crack the top five here it will be a successful show for her. It won’t be easy given the competition but it will be good to see her back on the fitness stage. See Michelle’s competition photos here.
10. Camala Rodriquez – Camala is a bit of an “X-Factor” in this show. She’s been in the winner’s circle before and then other times she’s out of the top spots. Which Camala will show up in California? She’s been working under the eye of Mike Davies and we’ll have to see if that makes a difference in her physique. When she comes in conditioned she has the physique to hang in the top spots. If she has too much muscle or not in shape she’ll be on the sidelines of the top call-out. I’d like to see her incorporate more of her dance background into her routines. She’s been a dancer for David Guetta but you’d never know it from her routines. We’ll have to wait and see what she brings to the stage as she could be in the top spots or the bottom of the pack. See Camala’s competition photos.
11. Sheri Vucick – This will be Sheri’s pro debut and she has the potential to make an immediate impact on the pro ranks. She was a champion in another organization dating all the way back to 2003. This mom of two will make the trip to Cali in hopes of continuing the success she found at the 2011 Team Universe, where she achieved IFBB pro status. She was the overall champ at the ’11 NPC Emerald Cup and the Team Universe. I liked the routine she brought to the stage last year and she’s a welcome addition to the pro ranks. See Sheri’s competition photos here.
We’ll be there covering the action and you can follow the call-outs live and commentary on twitter. The hashtag will be #FLEXPRO for the show, so use that when referring to the show and following the coverage. Prejudging and Finals are on February 18, 2012. For more information on the show visit flexprochampionships.com.
