This Saturday, July 21st, ten IFBB Pro Bikini competitors will take the stage in Culver City, California. The IFBB Los Angeles Grand Prix contest may not have the largest pro line-up but it certainly is one of the most competitive shows to date. If you think you can correctly predict the top five in order I’d like you to pick my lottery numbers.
The event appears to be a two woman event, at least on paper. Amanda Latona has taken a few months away from the competitive stage and will return this weekend to square off against Dianna Dahlgren. Amanda is never more than a couple of lbs (that’s pounds for you non-hipsters) away from her stage weight and arguably has one, if not thee, best booties in the pro ranks. Dianna Dahlgren may have a little something to say about that though. Dianna also has a bikini booty that is the envy of many. She’s coming off a fifth place finish at the Toronto Pro however many (myself included) had her finishing higher.
Amanda has the edge when it comes to stage presence and curves however Diana has shown she can hold her own on any stage, as we saw at last year’s Olympia where she finished third. It should be noted Amanda wasn’t competing in that show so it will be a match up to watch here.
The thing is.. both of these women can be beat if they aren’t at the best and the eight other women have their sights on beating them. Famed cover model, Vida Guerra will be making her pro debut and can hold her own in the booty department but will she be comfortable on stage? We’ve seen her struggle a bit with her presentation in the NPC ranks but she channeled her inner Stella and got her groove back in Chicago. Also making her pro debut is fellow Cali girl Katherine Portillo. Katherine turned pro at the 2012 NPC JR Nationals with Vida and has a bit of a home court advantage by not having the stress of traveling. The lone East Coast competitor, Dayna Maleton has risen in the ranks her last two shows, with back-to-back fourth place finishes. Narmin Assria is looking to improve on her Olympia Qualification point standings and is in the hunt for an Olympia birth if she fairs well at this event. Skye Taylor is already qualified for the Olympia, so the pressure is off her to collect points or the win. It will be a good test for her to see how she matches up against some of the best in the pro league.
Taylor Matheny has a young, fresh look and a rock’n hardbody. She would finish higher (in my opinion) if she improved her posing. If she brings better posing to the stage she could be in the mix. Jennifer Dietrick will be in some deep bikini waters with this line up and has yet to finish better than 5th. It’s no knock on Dietrick but rather a testament to how competitive shows has become over the last two years. The original Canadian Cutie, Leigh Brandt is hope the 6th time on a pro stage is the charm. She’s yet to crack the top five however she’s been close. She has a chance to do it here but it won’t be easy.
For more information on the IFBB Los Angeles Grand Prix Bikini Championships visit MuscleContest.com. Prejudging starts at 10am (PST) and the finals kick off at 6:30pm (PST).
