The IFBB Figure pros are back in action this weekend at the 2012 IFBB Europa Supershow in Dallas, Texas. Twenty women will take the stage in hopes of earning the right to compete at the 2012 Figure Olympia. None of the women in this competition are currently qualified to compete in the Olympia.
Obviously, all women in the competition are hoping to win and the Olympia qualification however there are a couple women who will look to add to their point total in the IFBB Pro Olympia Qualification Series should they not win. The top five highest point finishers will qualify to compete in the Olympia and currently Alea Suarez is tied with Natalie Waples for second place. If Alea doesn’t win this show look for her to improve her point total and move into first place. Allison Frahn leads the Qualification Point Series but is not competing in this show. Larissa Reis is sitting in 10th place with 3 points but would position herself in the top five if she finishes in fourth or better. Points are assigned to placings… 2nd – 4 Points, 3rd – 3 Points, 4th – 2 Points, 5th – 1 Point.
THE HARDBODY BREAKDOWN:
Look for this show to be a 3 woman race. Felicia Romero takes the stage for the first time this year. She finished 2011 in less than stellar fashion at the Olympia and Sheru Classic. It was obvious her body needed a break and more than likely mentally as well. She’ll be rested but will she be on point her first time out? Don’t bet against her as she’ll be the one to beat at this show. Alea Suarez may have something to say about that though. She was in the runner-up position at the Omaha Pro and finished in third at the Chicago Wings of Strength. Alea has found her groove since switching from Bikini and will likely stand next to Felicia being compared for the win. If she brings the same look and physique she brought to the Omaha night show, she could leave with the win. Larissa Reis will look to return to the Olympia stage and while she often carries a bit more muscle than other competitors she won’t look out of place in this line up. Look for her to be next to Felicia and Alea being compared for the win. I see her finishing in third but we’ll see how she matches up in prejudging. Two rookies will look to shake things up in the top five and could do so. Tatiana Koshman achieved pro status at the 2011 NPC USA by winning the B Class and has exotic good looks and a physique that could put her the top call-out. She’ll need to come in a bit tighter than when she turned pro if she hopes to land in the top spots. If she’s in shape, Essence Monet could join her in the first call-out in her pro debut. Essence is a beautiful woman with great shape however has yet to showcase her fullest potential. She’ll need to come in much tighter than she was when she turned pro at last year’s North Americans. She has the potential and is one to watch in her debut. Laurie Schnelle debuted in 10th place last week at the Tampa Pro and look for her to move up at this show. Michelle Mayberry is all about presentation if she brings a polished, youthful look she’ll be in the mix. She has gone back and forth between Figure and Fitness over her career. Jodie Minear is a bit of an x-factor here. Since turning pro she has yet to find her groove on the pro stage. Jodie finished in 5th at the 2010 Phoenix Pro in her debut but has yet to match that finish. Over the last year her legs seemed to disappear. If she’s brought the wheels back up she’ll be back in the hunt.
2012 IFBB Europa Super Show Dallas Pro Figure
1. Julia Aragon (El Paso, Texas)
2. Tivisay Briceno (Memphis, Tennessee)
3. Clarissa Castaneda (Cozumel, Mexico)
4. Vicki Counts (Calumet City, Illinois)
5. Debbie Fowler (Fort Worth, Texas)
6. Soleivi Hernandez (Houston, Texas)
7. Tatiana Koshman (Spring, Texas)
8. Georgina Lona (Mexico City, Mexico)
9. Michelle Mayberry (Federal Way, Washington)
10. Jodie Minear (Houston, Texas)
11. Essence Monet (Chicago, IL)
12. Olga Maria Morales Gallardo (Mexico City, Mexico)
13. Nuria Novoa (Auckland, New Zealand)
14. Melanie Oberg (Saskatchewan, Canada)
15. Larissa Reis (Brazil)
16. Felicia Romero (Chandler, Arizona)
17. Miriam Sanchez (Lo Pagan, Spain)
18. Laurie Schnelle (Sarasota, Florida)
19. Alea Suarez (Cedar Park, Texas)
20. Katerina Tarbox (Warick, Rhode Island)
Follow along live on twitter with the hashtag #DallasEuropa. Photos will be available throughout the weekend on Bodybuilding.com, NPCNEWSonline.com FLEXonline.com.
Look back – 2011 IFBB Europa Super Show Dallas Figure Results:
1. Ava Cowan (USA)
2. Deena Walsh (USA)
3. Ella Horton (USA)
4. Heather Dees (USA)
5. Jami DeBernard (USA)
6. Alea Suarez (USA)
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