The 2013 Figure International was chalked full of upsets and surprises. Heading into the contest it looked to be a showdown between Erin Stern and Candice Keene. Candice was looking to step out of Erin’s shadow and with the 2012 champ (Nicole Wilkins) sitting out, it was the perfect opportunity. Candice not only won but she did so with an unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards.
Candice was clearly on the money and she posed with confidence and a little swagger. She is right at the line with muscularity. Any more and it will be too much and when you carry more muscle you have to find the perfect balance in conditioning to not look too hard and not appear too soft. Candice found that balance and left the stage a winner. The night was particularly special because not only did she get to shake hands with Arnold but she did so on her birthday. It’s safe to say that will be a memorable birthday for Candice.
One of the upsets of the night was Heather Dees finishing in second over the reigning Ms. Olympia. Heather edged out Erin by one point and positioned herself as one of the top contenders in the division. Erin was a little flat and not quite as sharp as she was at the Olympia. Heather has shaved off some muscle over the last year to year and a half and it’s helped in her placings. It’s human nature to compare the competitors to their best and it appeared everyone did that in this case. Erin being off her best and Heather being at her best helped set the stage for the upset.
Candice Lewis picked up where she left off in 2012. She brought a new look to the stage but with the same great shape. Candice’s challenge is keeping her legs down so they don’t overpower her physique. She seemed a little bit “deer in the headlights” at times with her stage presence but who wouldn’t be their first time on the Arnold stage?
Mallory Haldeman also continued her top five form at this show. Mallory hasn’t even been a pro for a full year and already she’s positioned herself as a top 6 contender in the Arnold and Olympia. Mallory needs to put on a bit more size and improve her stage presence. She’s a little shallow in her back and when she fills out her frame a bit you’ll see her move up.
Rounding out the top 6 in quiet form was Camala Rodriquez. Camala has nice shape and found a good balance with her conditioning. Many in attendance thought it could go either way between 5-7 placings. Ava Cowan was on the outside looking in as she finished in 7th. Ava brought one of her better physiques we’ve seen yet missed out on the top spots.
2013 Figure International Results:
1. Candice Keene
2. Heather Dees
3. Erin Stern
4. Candice Lewis
5. Mallory Haldeman
6. Camala Rodriguez
7. Ava Cowan
8. Gennifer Strobo
9. Cheryl Brown
10. Kamla Macko
11. Ann Titone
12. Aleisha Hart
13. Candice John
14. Nicole Sims
15. Alea Suarez
16. Giada Simari
16. Natalie Waples
16. Olga Morales
View competition photos of all the competitors on bodybuilding.com.
