The second IFBB Pro Women’s Physique competition is in the books and it’s clear what look this new division is headed. During the morning portion of the St. Louis Pro, the judges called out just two of the nine competitors in the first call-out. Typically you’ll see 3-6 competitors called out first however when only two names are announced it sends a clear message. Translation – this is the look we like and what’s going to be rewarded.
Like any new division, it needs time to mature and evolve. Also keep in mind, the judges can only go by what is on stage that day. If no one fits the ideal, they have to reward the closest thing to “the look” on that day. That is what happened at the first Women’s Physique competition in Phoenix. When I spoke to the judges after the St. Louis Pro they made it known that they are sticking to the criteria that was put in place for the division. They are NOT looking for smaller bodybuilders. They never said it would be a smaller version of a bodybuilder and fans, trainers, gurus and keyboard warriors need to get that idea out of their heads. I recall hearing one “expert” tell Heather Armbrust that she would be great for the new division if she came in a bit smaller. Sorry bub but not even close to the look of the new division. I’m not a big fan of referencing percentages and prefer pointing to a photo or a specific physique for an ideal. It gives people a visual reference and takes the guess work out of interpreting what look the judges are after. Which brings us to this show. If you want a visual reference as to what direction the division is headed, look at the winner of the St. Louis Pro. That doesn’t mean she is the exact look the judges want but it is the closest to “the look” that has stepped on stage to date. Give the division time to develop and evolve before getting your panties (or whitey tidies) in a bunch.
HARDBODY 411 on the St. Louis Pro:
1. Sara Hurrle
Sara was preparing for the 2012 Governor’s Cup Figure competition and two weeks out was told she needed to back off her training or she’d be too big and too conditioned for the show. Instead of backing off her training she stepped it up and entered her first Women’s Physique competition. It paid off for her as she fit the criteria of the new division. She has a balanced physique and her symmetry will help her beat out others in future competitions. Sara has a nice back and a ton of energy on stage. She could tighten up the glutes and hamstrings a bit for her next show but that may come at the risk of being “too hard” in her upper body. She had muscle without being to muscular and it’s what the direction the division is headed.
2. Michelle Blank
Michelle suffered a calf injury before the Arnold Classic and it kept her out of the Fitness International. She also planned to compete at this show in the Fitness division however the injury wasn’t healing. Since she was in shape, she decided to compete in the new division. Michelle held her own on the stage and if she decides to do future competitions in this division she should fair well. She needs to bring up her legs a bit in order to be more balance but has a great back pose. If she works on her posing it will help her as well. It’s to be expected though given that she had next to no time to perfect her poses.
3. Jennifer Smythe
I like Jennifer’s look and think she will fair well in this new division. She used to compete in Figure as an amateur and found success at the 2011 Team Universe when she switched divisions and turned pro. She wasn’t compared to the top two during prejudging but was at the night show. I might have moved her up into second ahead of Michelle after seeing them compared. Jennifer’s biggest challenge is her posing. When she hits some of her poses they aren’t flattering to her physique and when she did her routine at night she hit 2-3 poses repeatedly. I’d like to see her incorporate a few more poses in her routine, although it doesn’t count towards the overall placing. If she can improve her posing she’ll move up.
4. Jennifer Robinson
Jennifer is another competitor who competed in Figure as an amateur before making the switch. She has nice symmetry and balance but wasn’t quite conditioned enough for this show. It’s a tough balancing act as she has a little more muscle than the winners and if she’s more conditioned it might make her look even bigger. If she can keep the muscle in check while bringing in a tighter backside she’ll continue to contend at shows. She may also need to bring her delts and arms down a bit from what they looked like at this show.
5. Marina Lopez
Marina was the bubble girl at this show. She placed fifth at this show because she had the least amount of muscle and hardness of those placing behind her. If this is another show with more competitors with the look of the top three she’d be out of the top five. Marina competed as a figure competitor years ago and then took things up a notch making the switch to female bodybuilding. She has a feminine look and given the direction of this division she could fair well if she does one of two things… Bring down her size and strip off some muscle or ramp it back up and compete as a female bodybuilder.
6. Mikaila Soto
Mikaila was rockin green hair and a green suit to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day. She’s a good example that when you have large tattoos it’s best not to try and cover them with make up. They weren’t distracting despite taking up a majority of her body, at least to me. Mikalia competed in the pro figure division but didn’t fair well in most shows. If she can downsize her muscle she’ll move up in this division. I do think she’ll do better in Women’s Physique then she would if she went back to Figure. She carried more muscle than those placing ahead of her and in order to place higher she’ll need to come in smaller given the look the judges are after.
7. Antoinette Thompson
Antoinette competed as a female bodybuilder and was more often than not out of the top spots. She’s a taller competitor with longer muscles than her fellow competitors. She also carried more muscle then others in this line up. Her legs were about twice the size of the winner. She’ll need to shave off some muscle and come in tighter in the backside then she did if she wants to move up in the placing. Her outfit at the night show was an interesting choice and I was waiting for her to break out a whip but it never happened.
8. Tracy Bodner
Tracy competed in figure and female bodybuilding as an amateur. She switched to the NPC Women’s Physique Division and moved up in the ranks over the course of three shows before turning pro. She’s in a similar position now and it will be a battle for her to climb into a top spot as a pro. Tracy looked out of place during prejudging due to her tan or lack there of. She looked pasty white compared to the others during prejudging but corrected if at the night show. She didn’t look like she was having fun during prejudging but at the night show brought a darker tan and more energy.
9. LaDrissa Bonivei
LaDrissa has a nice physique but it’s simply way to muscular for what the judges are looking for in this division. She has a nice back double bicep pose however her physique will need to come way down in size if she wants to move up and place well in this division. She turned pro at the 2011 NPC USAs and comparing photos from that show to her look as a pro, it looks like she added significant size. If she returns to the look she had as an amateur she’ll fair much better.
Top five - 2012 St. Louis Pro Women's Physique Division
The next Women’s Physique show will be March 24, 2012 in Sacramento. Look for Sara Hurrle to do well once again and we’ll see who else enters the show in attempt to be part of the new look. Check out photos from the 2012 St. Louis Pro here.
What do you think of the new division and the direction it’s headed?
IFBB St. Louis Pro Women’s Physique Division Results:
Placing / Name / Score
1. Sara Hurrle – 5
2. Michelle Blank – 10
3. Jennifer Smythe – 15
4. Jennifer Robinson – 21
5. Marina Lopez – 24
6. Mikaila Soto – 30
7. Antoinette Thompson 35
8. Tracy Bodner – 40
9. LaDrissa Bonivei 45
