Ten IFBB Fitness Pros will take the stage at the 2013 FIBO Power this weekend in Cologne, Germany. Competing outside of the USA can be a challenge for some competitors but with plenty of rest most adapt before show time. This is one of the few opportunities for the Fitness Pros to qualify for the Olympia by either winning or collecting points in the Olympia Point Series. We’ll see a mix of seasoned veterans and relative newcomers to the stage.
HARDBODY 411:
Bethany Cisternino – Bethany has one of the best physiques in the IFBB Pro Fitness divisions. If she brings a similar look to the stage that she did in Columbus, she’ll take top honors in the 2-piece round. She has a much stronger routine than in years past. If she’s far enough ahead of Regiane after the two-piece round, she should take top honors at the end of the night.
Regiane DaSilva – Regiane has the home turf advantage. She tends to fair better at European shows and her routine is like the Energizer Bunny… she just keeps going and going and… She’ll likely finish in the top spots but where is the question. She has the potential to win the show based on her routine but if she’s not in the middle of the pack heading into the routine round she could be in the 3-5 range.
Nicole Duncan – Loads of potential. Potential is a word that continues to be attached to Nicole. She has the ability to win the show if she comes in shape and brings a routine that is at the level we’ve seen her perform before. She wasn’t at her best conditioning for the Arnold last month and seemed a bit gassed during her routine. Nicole’s had a month to tighten things up and I look for her to be in much better shape and be in the mix for a top spot here. Redemption Road for this Georgia peach.
Ryall Graber-Vasani – Ryall has a good physique that continues to improve. If she can add more strength moves and perform a more fluid routine than in the past, she will be a contender. Look for her to be in the top half of the 2-piece round and then battle for a top spot in the routines round.
Amanda Hatfield – Amanda is coming off the Arnold where she was welcomed to the next level. She has the ability to hold her own and her gymnastic skills are amazing. If she brings a more poised and controlled routine to the stage and puts the jitters aside she’ll improve from her Columbus finish.
Whitney Jones – Whitney Jones closed out 2012 with a strong showing in the division and will look to pick up where she left off. The little details with Whitney are what will make or break her. Things like her tanning, presentation and not coming in too vascular and hard. It’s a balancing act with her physique and genetically she appears to always be vascular. She has strong skills in her routine and if she’s cleaned it up a bit and performs without little stumbles, she will be int he mix.
Somkina Liudmila – Somkina will have her work cut out for her at this show. She doesn’t have quite the physique that the others do in this line up so she’ll likely be playing catch up after the two-piece round. She has the ability to make up some ground in the routine portion of the competition.
Diana Monteiro – Diana is another competitor that often places better at European shows. She was third at the Arnold Europe and was second at the FIBO show in 2011. Look for her to be the dark horse to shake things up in the top five. She will likely be somewhere in the middle of the group in the 2-piece round but could move into the top five with a strong routine.
Babette Mulford – This will be Babette’s introduction into the pro league. She achieved pro status at the 2012 Team Universe and if she brings a similar look to FIBO she will hold her own. Little details could make the difference in the two-piece round like suit cut and posing. She flies high and really goes for it in her routine.
Kizzy Vaines – Kizzy is another competitor who could be in the top spots or the bottom of the pack and it all depends on what she brings to the stage. Again it’s the details that make the difference with her presentation and posing. She has the most insane flexibility in her routines and she’s coming off a 7th place finish at the Arnold. The show wasn’t her best but when she is at her best she’s a contender.
Saturday
Prejudging
4:30am eastern standard time
Finals
12:45pm eastern standard time
photo via Whitney Jones’ facebook.
