The 2012 Pittsburgh Pro Championships hosted over 50 hardbody women in fitness, figure and bikini. Women from across the globe traveled to Jim Manion’s Pittsburgh Pro Championships in hopes of qualifying for the 2012 Olympia. There were some expected results and a few surprises along the way. Canada dominated the Fitness division and left and wondering where all the US citizens were at for this show. The Figure divisions proved that if you’re not on top of your game you leave the door open for someone to sneak into the top spots. The Bikini division had some of the best physiques in the world on stage but the final results didn’t exactly play out how many thought they would before the show.
The HARDBODY Breakdown:
FITNESS REVIEW
Heading into this show Kizzy Vaines and Jodi Boam were the only two with IFBB Pro wins and we saw why once again. Jodi Boam brought an improved physique from her previous competitions at the FLEX PRO and Fitness International. She also brought back her Mortal Combat routine and it proved to be the right move. Jodi notched her second pro career win and takes some momentum into next month’s Toronto Pro where she will look to defend her title. Kizzy Vaines also brought an improved physique and routine to the stage. Kizzy’s brought blonde, almost white, hair and it helped her stand out a bit more. Some in attendance had her winning the routine round but the judges saw her as a lock for second. Fiona Harris had an impressive pro debut with her third place finish. She was a lock for third in the physique rounds and was in the middle of the pack for her routine. Danielle Ruban brought a tighter, improved physique to the stage and I really like her potential. The judges scored her third in the routine rounds and an argument could have been made (at least on my score sheet) for a spot higher. She has incredible skill and definitely one of the rising stars in the division. Allison Ethier brought her best physique and routine to date. She was in her best condition as a pro and her routine was much cleaner than before. Allison definitely brought her best package to date.
Props to the nine women who entered this show and especially the Canadian contingency. Don’t be surprised if the Fitness portion of the Pittsburgh Pro doesn’t return to the 2013 event due to the lackluster turnout. The fitness division is the most entertaining division and if we don’t see more women entering the shows we’ll see the division dropped.
IFBB PRO FITNESS
1. Jodi Boam
2. Kizzy Vaines
3. Fiona Harris
4. Danielle Ruban
5. Allison Ethier
6. Whitney Jones
7. Sheri Vucick
8. Nichole Venzara
9. Michelle Gales
Check out competition photos here.
FIGURE REVIEW
This show proved that if you aren’t at your best you can slip a few placings. There were a number of very bad tans and makeup jobs at this show. I’m not sure why that is but it’s definitely something that can cause a competitor to drop in their placings. When it comes to makeup there are a few things women need to remember. If you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t do your own makeup. If you hire someone make sure they have done stage makeup before because it’s different than photo shoots or other types of makeup. I’m definitely NOT a fan of the bright blue eyeshadow or matching your eyes to your suit. Many women look like clowns when they add glitter and bright eye shadow. Some of the women had a muddy look to their face and it’s very noticeable from the judge’s table despite not being able to see it in photos.
Candice John notched her first pro victory and positioned herself as a rising star in the division, despite being a pro for many years. She proved that patience and persistence pays off. Candice’s symmetry, conditioning and presentation lead to the win here. She needs to fill out her upper chest a bit but other than that she’s got a winning look. Candice was the unanimous winner on the judges score sheets. Gennifer Strobo edged out Jami DeBenard by one point for second. I had Jami ahead of Strobo at this contest as Jami was a bit more polished in her presentation and I felt her symmetry was a bit better. Gen wasn’t at her best but still held her own. The photos won’t show it but she had vascular arms in the prejudging and her makeup wasn’t my favorite. Ann Titone slipped slightly at this show in large part because of the little details. Ann looked a bit red with her tan and didn’t present with the same confidence we saw in Orlando. Rounding out the top five was Tamara Montoya. This was Tamara’s pro debut and an impressive showing her first time out. I would have had no problem with her in the top three. Keep your eye on her as she heads into The California Pro. I like the look Candice Lewis brings to the stage. She still needs to balance her legs with her upper body a bit but hey symmetry and overall look is one of the best in the division. I would have placed her in the top five but the judges had her in 7th.
IFBB Pro Figure
1. Candice John
2. Gennifer Strobo
3. Jami DeBernard
4. Ann Titone
5. Tamara Montoya
6. Andrea Cantone
7. Candice Lewis
8. Maria Luisa Baeza-Diaz
9. Ryan Hays Althoff
10. Natalie Calland
11. Kimberly Sheppard
12. Maria-Jose Garcia
13. Tara Hollingsworth
14. Tiffany Procopio
15. Marie Gibbon
16. Becky Clawson
17. Kiana Phil-Lewis
17. Chikondi Mseka
17. Thea Erichsen
17. Gloria Tarpley
17. Janet West
17. Tamara Riberio-Bailey
Check out competition photos here.
BIKINI REVIEW
The top two spots played out as most people thought they would heading into the show. India Paulino continues to be a favorite with the judges and has positioned herself as a top contender in every show she enters in just her second year as a pro. India has nice skin tone and sticks with the yellow bikini because it works. She toned down her over-the-top presentation from prior shows but still throws in her hip buster at the end of her presentation. I’m not a big fan of it but it’s become her “signature pose” to end her individual presentation. It works for her personality but it wouldn’t for others. I do find her boobs slightly distracting because they are hiked up so high and smashed together, it seems a bit unnecessary. Jaime Baird didn’t seem to be at her best or at least as good as I’ve seen her before. When she posed she seemed a bit distant and not like she was living in the moment. I’ve also seen her makeup a bit better, it looked like her eyes were outlined a bit darker than in the past and it wasn’t as flattering as I’ve seen in the past. Jaime has refined her physique since competing on this stage as an amateur and always one of the top contenders. Yeshaira Robles brought an improved physique to the stage, in just her second pro show. I love the energy she possesses and you can’t help be drawn to someone who exudes a positive, confident attitude. She has just the right amount of sexiness and isn’t over the top with her presentation. Look for her to continue to be in the top spots if she brings this same look and attitude to the stage. Diana Graham was one point behind Yeshaira for the fourth place spot. I continue to be distracted by Diana’s boobs and feel they are keep her from moving into the winner’s circle. Let’s not confuse this with me being a hater or someone who dislikes large breasts, I’m not. I’ve talked with several judges who tell me the exact same thing… her boobs throw her symmetry off. She has a good physique and if she can find away to conceal them differently with her hair or the suit it won’t be such an issue. Remember just an opinion but one shared by many others, so don’t shoot the messenger. Marcela Tribin rounded out the top five in her pro debut. She’s a beautiful woman however I’d like to see her lower body improve before putting her in the top five. There were a number of women I felt could have been in the top five but it speaks to how the division is getting more and more competitive.
Kristy Robbins was in 9th but brought her best look to date, I would have her higher. Tawna Eubanks was in seventh and I would have placed her in the top five at this show. She has a nice bikini body and one of the best booties in the division.
IFBB Pro Bikini
1. India Paulino
2. Jaime Baird
3. Yeshaira Robles
4. Diana Graham
5. Marcela Tribin
6. Lexi Kaufman
7. Tawna Eubanks
8. Marisa Renee Lee
9. Kristy Robbins
10. Brooke Hameier
11. Melinda Jamiszewski
12. Nicole Moneer
13. Heather Nappi
14. Tabitha Leandri
15. Crystal Matthews
16. Samantha Morris
17. Janet Harding
18. Khanh Nguyen
19. Jessica Pendergrast
19. Kristal Martin
See complete scorecards on IFBBpro.com. Check out photos from the event on NPCnewsonline.com and Bodybuilding.com. Photos are also available for purchase on photos.liftstudios.com.
