It’s taken Oksana Grishina a few years to reach the winner’s circle in the pro ranks but she’s managed to do it three times this year. She notched a win at the St. Louis Pro at the beginning of the year and then did what many thought was impossible by defeating Adela Garcia at the Arnold Europe show. One week later Oksana continued her winning ways with a win at the 2012 IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Cup.
Oksana has always has amazing routines but the feedback from the judges was that it was “too slow” and there weren’t enough strength moves. I’d disagree that she didn’t have enough strength moves in her early routines, the fact that she performed them with ease is what many people often over looked. Early in her pro career she came in way too hard and overly conditioned for what the judges were looking for. She has refined her physique and it’s more in line with what the judges are looking for. She still needs to continue to work on creating the illusion of a small waist and would like to see her posing a bit different from the sides during the individual poses. Her routine is sic. It’s not stop action from start to finish. Look for her to have a new routine at the 2013 Arnold in March.
Bethany Cisternino has one of the best physiques in the pro league. She won the 2-piece round as expected and with an ever improving routine she’s always a top contender. If she can continue to improve her transitions, keep the tempo fast and add in a couple more strength moves she’ll be a threat for the win in every show she enters. Regaine Da Silva has more energy than 10 people combined when she performs her fitness routine. She gets the crowd into it and flies so high you swear she’ll hit her head on a stage light. The only thing I wasn’t a fan of was how long it took her to get her “Fat suit” off. If you’re going to have props and wear a costume you have to make sure it isn’t distracting and can be removed without any trouble. Darrian Tissenbaum showed she has a tremendous future in the IFBB Pro ranks. Coming off a win at the 2012 NPC JR Nationals, she immediately established herself as one to watch. She still needs to refine her physique just a bit but overall a strong showing. She lights up the stage and demonstrates some crazy flexibility and dance moves in her routine. She was definitely one of the stand-outs of the show. I’d like to see her get an Arnold invite as one of the newbies to the stage in March. Ryall Graber-Vasani has been consistent throughout the year and I like not only her physique but also her routine. I would have place her a bit higher in the routine round and in second in the physique round. Narrowly missing the top five was Canadian rookie Fiona Harris. Fiona had a tremendous year form her Arnold Amateur performance until now. She just needs to streamline her physique a bit form the back and bring a routine that’s a little less cutesy and more powerful to demonstrate the high level gymnastic skills.
Tanis Tzavaras made her return after having a baby 18 months ago and Stacy Wright also made her return after having a baby just 7 months ago. Props to both of these women for showing that moms can be a hardbody after a baby.
Visit Bodybuilding.com for contest photos from this event.
2012 IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Cup Pro Fitness Results
PLACE / NAME / 2-PIECE / ROUTINE / TOTAL
1. Oksana Grishina 5 / 10 / 15
2. Bethany Cisternino 4 / 18 / 22
3. Regiane Da Silva 18 / 12 / 30
4. Darrian Tissenbaum 12 / 24 / 36
5. Ryall Graber-Vasani 9 / 40 / 49
6. Fiona Harris 15 / 36 / 51
7. Amanda Hatfield 29 / 30 / 59
8. Debbie Fowler 24 / 54 / 78
9. Tiffany Robinson 34 / 50 / 84
10. Hollie Stewart 25 / 66 / 91
11. Amy Justice 43 / 60 / 103
12. Tanis Tzavaras 39 / 72 / 111
13. Brandy O’Donoghue 34 / 78 / 112
14. Stacy Wright 28 / 90 / 118
15. Kristina Rojas 44 / 84 / 128
