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NPC April Athletes of the Month

May 30, 2013 by

The National Physique Committee (NPC) announces seven competitors they’ve selected as “athletes of the month”. NPC President, Jim Manion selects and individual from each of the seven divisions. See this month’s selected below.

npc-april


NATIONAL PHYSIQUE COMMITTEE AND GASPARI NUTRITION ANNOUNCE APRIL NPC ATHLETES OF THE MONTH
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (May 29, 2013) – The National Physique Committee and Gaspari Nutrition have chosen seven competitors – Daniel McDonald, Jeremy Buendia, Jennifer Childs, Grace Ripslinger, Edith Waggoner, , Samantha Sage and Lisa LaBrie – as NPC Athletes of the Month for the month of April.

Each month, NPC President Jim Manion selects the Athletes of the Month in each of the organization’s seven divisions – Men’s and Women’s Bodybuilding, Figure, Bikini, Fitness and Men’s and Women’s Physique – based on in-person analysis and on the information provided by contest promoters across the country.

For complete profiles and galleries of the April NPC Athletes of the month, go to www.npcnewsonline.com.

About the April Athletes of the Month:
– Men’s Bodybuilding: Daniel McDonald, 38, a former sponsored skateboarder, won the Heavyweight and Overall at the Europa Show of Champions in Orlando, Florida.

– Women’s Bodybuilding: Lisa Labrie, 43, returned to the stage after a nine-year layoff to win the Overall at the Vermont State Championships.

– Bikini: Jennifer Childs, a mother of two, won the Open and Masters Overall titles at the Northern Colorado Championships.

– Figure: Former soccer player Grace Ripslinger, 22, won the Overall at the Iowa State Championships. Ripslinger started competing in 2012.

– Women’s Physique: Edith Waggoner won the Overall at the LA Grand Prix. A former Figure competitor, Waggoner made the transition to Women’s Physique for the 2013 NPC season.

– Men’s Physique: Jeremy Buendia, 22, won the Overall at the LA Grand Prix, the third straight contest at which he won his class and the Overall.

– Fitness: First-year competitor Samantha Sage, 19, won the Overall at the Texas Shredder Classic.

Filed Under: IFBB & NPC

2013 Toronto Pro – Women’s Preview

May 28, 2013 by

This weekend over 100 IFBB Pros will head north to Canada for the annual Toronto Pro Show. The competition is shaping up to be highly competitive in each division. Despite the continued low numbers in Fitness it will be a tough line-up. Fans will also get to see Bikini, Figure, Physique and female bodybuilding. The show is held over two days and continues to get better and better each year. Check out the competitors slated to compete and the Hardbody breakdown on each division.

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THE HARDBODY 411:

BIKINI
The Bikini division has to favor Ashley Kaltwasser for the win. She’s been on fire all year and consistently in the top three since the Bikini International. Aside from Ashley the field is fairly wide open. Gigi continues to bring her legs down which could put her in the top five. Jennifer Dawn looks to get back in the top ranks after missing out in her recent showings. Yarleis Gonzalez should be contending for the top spot but has yet to crack the top three since her pro debut. If she can bring her lower half in tighter she’ll be in the top spots, if not she’ll be outside the top three again. Dayna Maleton has a smoke’n physique but comes in a bit too hard and muscular for most bikini competitions. If she can tone it down a bit she’ll be top five. Amanda Sexsmith could catch some people sleeping and sneak into a top spot. Canadian Jaclyn Wilson will stand out as one of the lone blondes in the group. If she can bring a tight physique she could contend for a top five spot.


2013 IFBB TORONTO PRO BIKINI
Gigi Amurao
Cynthia Benoit
Leigh Brandt
Danielle Carr
Eboney Chipman
Becky Clawson
Jennifer Dawn
Dana French
Yarelis Gonzalez
Ashley Kaltwasser
Meredith Long
Dayna Maleton
Nathalie Mur
Amanda Sexsmith
Simone Sinclair
Anna Lee Van Hatten
Janet Lynn West
Jaclyn Wilson

FITNESS
The fitness competitors are often heard grumbling about few competitions on the schedule but when there are shows few turn out. This is why most promoters opt not to include fitness. Props to the ten women who have entered this show as it will be one to watch and highly competitive despite the low turn out. Michelle Blank will make things interesting in her return since being injured and switching to Women’s Physique for the 2012 season. She’ll have a solid routine and will be a question of how conditioned she is for the physique round. Look for her to finish in the top spots. Nicole Duncan can be the winner here if she brings the high flying, high intensity we’ve expected from her routines and nails her conditioning. She tightened up for the Arnold Brasil and if she comes even sharper she’ll be in the mix. Lately she seems to be a bit winded at the end of her routines. If she nails the routines all the way through she could be the queen of the night. Ryall has to be considered the one to beat after taking top honors at the Arnold Brasil. She has the physique and a high-flying, energetic routine. Vanda Hadarean has the looks and incredible gymnastic skills. If she’s in the hunt after the 2-piece round she’ll be a contender for the top five. Fiona Harris has the physique and it’s a matter of putting together a well choreographed routine with consistent strength moves. Amanda Hatfield continues to improve with each pro show and look for her to move up even more this time around. Babette has yet to find her groove in the pro ranks and if she brings a tighter physique this time around will move up. Ashley Sebera will be making her pro debut and has the cute factor working for her. She’ll need to come in conditioned and tight to be in contention here. Tanis Tzavaras is an inspiration to all women. She returned to the stage shortly after having a baby and more than held her own at the Ft. Lauderdale Cup. Look for her to be a crowd favorite here no matter where she finishes. Eileen Wells will be making her pro debut and will need to bring an energetic routine with strength moves to hang with this group but a great show to test herself in the pro ranks.


2013 IFBB TORONTO PRO Fitness
Michelle Blank
Nicole Duncan
Ryall Graber Vasani
Vanda Hadarean
Fiona Harris
Amanda Hatfield
Babette Mulford
Ashley Sebera
Tanis Tzavaras
Eileen Wells

FIGURE
The Figure competition will be a hard fought challenge for the top spots. Ann Titone has to be the favorite heading into the show with her recent showings and refined physique. Natalie Waples will look to challenge her as well Aleisha Hart. Both Aleisha and Natalie would love to win in their native country, the only opportunity afforded to them since every other pro show is held outside of Canada. Swann Cardot positioned herself as one to watch after her runner-up finish at the New York Pro. She won’t carry the most muscle of the group but if she matches her presentation and conditioning from New York will be a contender for the top spots.  While those might be the leading ladies on paper any number of women could slip into the top five at this show.

2013 IFBB TORONTO PRO FIGURE
Leah Berti
Magela Camronero
Swann Cardot
Vicki Counts
Ginette Delhaes
Krista Dunn
Melanie Gardner
Cydney Gillon
Erin Harding
Aleisha Hart
Kenyatta Jones Arietta
Veronique Morin
Tiani Norman
Tamara Ribeiro Bailey
Tissilli Rogers
Jill St. Laurent
Danielle Sereluca
Ann Titone
Natalie Waples

PHYSIQUE
The Physique competition will also be hotly contested. Kim Tilden made the switch from Figure to Physique and has shown she has the structure to be a top contender in the division. Toni West is coming off a third place finish and if she tightens up just a bit from her New York finish she’ll be in the hunt once again. Joelle Smith is also poised to be a contender in this line-up after a strong finish in New York. Mindi O’Brien will be the dark horse in the line-up as she switches from Fitness to Physique due to nagging injuries. Jen Louwagie has a good look and should have been higher in my opinion at the New York Pro. CeaAnna Kerr is another Figure to Physique competitor who could contend for the top five. It’ll all depend on how every shows up and compares to one another but given there’s no clear cut winner it’ll make for an exciting show.

2013 IFBB TORONTO PRO PHYSIQUE
Debbie Barrable Leung
La’Drissa Bonivel
Jill Dearmin
Nathalie Falk
Cynthia Jansen
CeaAnna Kerr
Michelle Krack
Sandra Lombardo
Jen Louwagie
Mindi O’Brien
Tammy Patnode
Janessa Roy
Jill Rudison
Joelle Smith
Tammy Strome
Kim Tilden
Toni West

BODYBUILDING
Despite the constant complaining of so few shows for female bodybuilders, few have entered the competition. You’d think we’d see over 20 women in the line-up but that’s not the case. Maria Rita Bello will be a crowd favorite with all the muscle she carries but don’t look for the judges to share the same thoughts. She’s big and blocky but did finish in 4th at the 2011 Tampa Pro. Anne Freitas will likely show up with freaky size and conditioning. Gillian Kovack was fourth at this show last year and doesn’t have the smallest waist but could be a top contender. Janeen Lankowski was third at the Chicago Pro and could be a top five finisher here if she matches that look. Marina Lopez returns to female bodybuilding after trying her hand at physique and always being “too big”. She could be the top contender here if she brings in a small waist and controls her breathing / stomach while posing. Melody Spetko could be top five and match her 2012 Tampa Pro finish.

2013 IFBB PRO BODYBUILDING
Maria Rita Bello
Michelle Brent
Laura Davies
Guisy Caputo
Christine Envall
Anne Freitas
Gillian Kovack
Janeen Lankowski
Marina Lopez
Maryse Manios
Rene Marven
Sharon Mould
Jennifer Scarpetta
Athena Siganakis
Melody Spetko

Visit www.torontoprosupershow.com for more info and use #TOPRO for all your tweets related to the show.

IFBB Pro Women’s Meeting (Bodybuilding, Physique, Figure, Fitness and Bikini)
Friday May 31st, 2013
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
ROOM 203B
9:00am

 

Filed Under: Show Previews

2013 Mile High Women’s Physique Pro Preview

May 28, 2013 by

The inaugural IFBB Mile High Women’s Physique Pro event will take place this Saturday in Denver, Colorado. Fifteen women have enlisted in the event to date and it will be a competitive show. A third of the roster is from Colorado with another third of the women coming in from nearby states. There’s a few familiar names along with a few rookies.

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Sara Hurrle made the switch from Figure to Physique last year with success. She notched two pro victories to her credit and a runner-up finish last year. She has to be considered the one to beat and on her home turf. Karin Hobbs will look to give her a run for her money as she too had success in the division last year. She hasn’t found her groove just yet this year but should be in the mix. Nicole Berg competed as a bodybuilder and making the transition into a physique competitor. Nicole achieved pro status at the 2009 NPC Nationals. Valerie Gangi made the switch from Figure to Physique and finished in seventh at this year’s Governor’s Cup.

Colorado’s Chris Kramer will be making her pro debut and could hold her own against the veterans. She’ll need to have her tanning on point as she tends to be appear a bit light on stage. Toni Perdikakis will look to get back into the top spots and will need to bring a more conditioned physique than New York if she hopes to do so. Alecia Rankovic was 16th at the New York Pro but has a physique that could be in the top five. Jillian Reville undoubtedly will be one of the competitors having the most fun on stage and a contender for the top spot. She has long, lean muscles and can appear flat if she’s not carbed up enough. She could be the one to challenge for the top spot though. Carrie Simmons and Jacklyn Abrams will both be making the move from Fitness to Physique as will Paula Williams. Jacklyn’s move to fitness is a bit surprising as she had one of the most entertaining routines and energetic new-comers to the circuit last year. This is just her second year as a pro after turning pro at the 2012 NPC JR USA in Fitness.

The event will be held in conjunction with the 2013 NPC Max Muscle Mile High Championships.


2013 IFBB Mile High Women’s Physique Pro Competitors
Evangeline Belton
Nicole Berg
Tracy Bodner
Valerie Gangi
Kari Ann Heitzman
Karin Hobbs
Sara Hurrle
Anne Marie Kam
Chris Kramer
Toni Perdikakis
Alecia Rankovic
Jillian Reville
Carrie Simmons
Jacklyn Sutton Abrams
Paula Williams Gulman

WHERE:
Colorado Heights University Theater
3001 S. Federal Blvd.
Denver, CO

WHEN:
June 1, 2013

For more information visit jeffTaylor.com.

Filed Under: Show Previews

2013 IFBB California Pro Figure Results

May 28, 2013 by

The 2013 IFBB California Pro Figure took place over the weekend and it was filled with surprises. Camala Rodriquez made the switch from Fitness to Figure at the end of last year and after finishing third at the Ft. Lauderdale Cup and 6th at this year’s Figure International it appeared she was more than able to hold her own. She proved that she could and left with her first prof Figure win.

It was a unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards for Camala’s win. Allison Frahn was the runner-up for a second year in a row. Rounding out the top three was Texan Kim Sheppad. Kim’s third place finish was the highest as a pro. She was fifth at this show last year and the third place finish provided her points in the Olympia point series. Erin Harding caught a few people by surprise as she finished in the fourth place spot. She was seventh in last year’s Tournament of Champions. Francine Sablan took top honors at last year’s NPC USA and won her pro debut, the Tournament of Champions. She’s yet to match that look and finished 16th in the 2012 Olympia and fifth at this show.

View photos from the 2013 California Pro.

2013 California Pro Figure Results:
1. Camala Rodriguez
2. Allison Frahn
3. Kimberly Sheppard
4. Erin Harding
5. Francine Sablan
6. Julie Mayer Hyman
7. Victoria Adelus
8. Elizabeth Jenkins
9. Michelle Shepherd
10. Wendy Fortino
11. Cristina Gedang
12. Georgina Lona
13. Alessandra Pinheiro
14. Krista Dunn
15. Christine Kluger
16. Julia Aragon
16. Leah Berti
16. Dawn Fernandez
16. Maria Jose Garcia
16. Rose Hendricks
16. Monica Labriola
16. Michelle Mayberry
16. Queren Pacheco
16. Tiffany Radzwill
16. Laurie Schnelle
16. Tamara Sedlack
16. Jill St.Laurent
16. Bojana Vasiljevic

Filed Under: Contest Results

2013 New York Pro Bikini Results & Review

May 28, 2013 by

The 2013 New York Pro Bikini had some of the division’s best physiques in it. As expected it came down to a few bikini bodies that would challenge for the title. In the end Yeshaira Robles had the most complete look and presentation. She’s positioned herself as one of the top competitors in the division as she heads into the Olympia. New comers Ashley Kaltwasser and Lindsey Waters are also on the fast track to the top as they finished in second and third respectively.

newyork-bikini-winners
View 2013 NY PRO Bikini Photos.

Yeshaira has the look to be sexy and cute with ease. She presents with class and has a smile that will light up the darkest room. You can’t help but be drawn to her when she’s on stage. If there’s any one that new competitors are looking to emulate and look up to in the division, Yeshaira is the one. Ashley Kaltwasser has one of the best physiques in the division and without question will be a top contender in every show she enters. She got her tanning right at this show and her body was on point. I’d love to see her change up her hair and makeup and ditch the super long eye lashes. If she tweaks those minor things I think it could be the difference at a big show like the Olympia. Lindsey Waters turned pro just one week prior to the New York Pro by winning the overall at the NPC JR USA. She has a rockin bikini body and also got her tanning on point this time. It’s the same scenario with Lindsey as Ashley… I’m not a fan of the eyeshadow and huge eyelashes. They’re distracting and when it comes down to little details it can make or break a decision. If she changes those minor things it would make a huge difference.

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Ashley, Yeshaira and Lindsey – Top Three New York Pro Bikini

Yarelis Gonzalez has all the potential in the world to do well in the division however we have yet to see her reach it in the pro ranks. She came in a bit better than Pittsburgh however her lower body was still not where it needs to be in order to be in the winner’s circle. It looked like she may have over done the cardio and crash dieted a bit by the way her skin looked. When you compare the tightness to that of Ashley’s skin, specifically above the knees, they are worlds apart. It may not be obvious to the casual fan but to the judges and those of us who see thousands of physiques a year, it is. Rounding out the top five was Ashley LeBlanc. Ashley may have been a bit too conditioned in her upper body as the vascularity was noticeable. I’m not crazy about the big curls in front of her face but she has improved her presentation and beginning to get more relaxed on stage.

Dayna Maleton has an incredible physique but it might be too much for the bikini division. Someone asked how she would do in Figure and I’m not certain but it would be interesting to see how she looked posing as a figure competitor with a different suit and same body. She improved her presentation and her only downfall is the amount of muscle and conditioning she brings to the stage compared to the other women.

Nikola Weiterova brought one of her best looks to date and could have been in the top spots. She’s brought up her backside and presents much better than her previous shows. Andrea Hertlein had the best booty in the entire show and if shows were based on butts alone, she would have been your winner.

View 2013 NY PRO Bikini Photos.

Things I’d love to see women NOT do on stage…
• The shoulder shrug/shimmy. It’s when a woman brings her shoulder to her chin and back down, sometimes more than once. It’s awkward and uncomfortable to watch because it’s not natural to most competitors when they do it. Ditch it, it’s not doing anything but distracting your presentation.

• The wind-up hip pop. India Paulino does it and it can be over the top some times but works for her because she’s sassy to begin with. When others do it, it looks out of place and doesn’t work. Don’t do it, it’s not helping your placing.

• The hand up to the chin/shoulder when presenting. It doesn’t do anything but distract during your presentation.

• The legs crossed and bending over in a very slow and way too far forward manner. The pose works for some women but not for all. If it doesn’t work for your backside don’t do it. It’s not a mandatory pose and can be uncomfortable to watch when done slow and in an unnatural manner. When some competitors do it, it almost looks like they have to go pee and that’s not the look you want to present, especially as a pro.

2013 New York Pro Bikini Results:
1. Yeshaira Robles
2. Ashley Kaltwasser
3. Lindsey Waters
4. Yarelis Gonzalez
5. Ashley Cronley LeBlanc
6. Dayna Maleton
7. Ashley Wade
8. Gigi Amurao
9. Maria Annunziata
10. Leigh Brandt
11. Francesca Yumul
12. Nikola Weiterova
13. Anna Starodubtseva
14. Meredith Long
15. Anna Lee Van Hatten
16. Cynthia Benoit
16. Danielle Carr
16. Janet Harding
16. Andrea Hertlein
16. Nathalie Mur
16. Cecile Palacios
16. Tabitha Klausen

Filed Under: Contest Results

2013 New York Pro Women’s Physique Results & Review

May 28, 2013 by

The IFBB Pro Women’s Physique Division (WPD) continues to evolve in just its second year. Things are beginning to take shape though with a few familiar physiques consistently being in the top spots. The 2013 New York Pro reinforced that with Brazilian natives Juliana Malacarne and Karina Nascimento finishing in the top two spots. The two have completely different physiques yet still were the standouts in the line-up.

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Juliana carries more muscle on her frame than other competitors but it’s not over the top. It’s thick, dense muscle that shows years of lifting and maturity. She has the genetics that she can hold the muscle without looking like a female bodybuilder. The look was too much for Figure but seems to be the way of Women’s Physique. Karina came in with better conditioning than Juliana but lacked the size she carried. It then becomes a matter of what the judges prefer – conditioning or size. Juliana had the most complete look. Karina loves to play up the sex appeal on stage and it certainly helps get the attention of the judges. She’s positioned herself as one of the top competitors in the division. Toni West rounded out the top three and also has an aesthetically pleasing look. She could have been a tad tighter in the glutes and hamstrings but overall a nice showing. I wasn’t crazy about her suit bottom cut from the back and a slight change there may help.

View 2013 IFBB New York Pro Women’s Physique Photos.

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Karina, Juliana, Toni – top three New York Pro Women’s Physique

Joele Smith also has a good look to her physique and could have been in the third spot without an argument. She could win a physique show before the year is over. Teresita Morales was second at this contest last year and has a very balanced physique. Another tough competitor and could be in the mix of the top three in every show she enters. Many industry pundits professed that Nathalie Foreau would be “too big” for the division but she didn’t appear out of place at all. If her tan was a bit darker she might have been a bit higher than 6th. She has huge quads and is one of the shorter competitors but more than held her own on the pro stage and has potential to be in the top spots in future shows.

I like Jen Louwagie’s look and would have put her in the top 10. Sheena Ohlig also has a nice look and if she comes in with better conditioning will be in the hunt for a top five spot.

View 2013 IFBB New York Pro Women’s Physique Photos.


2013 IFBB New York Pro Women’s Physique Results:
1. Juliana Malacarne
2. Karina Nascimento
3. Toni West
4. Joele Smith
5. Teresita Morales
6. Nathalie Foreau
7. Jillian Reville
8. Jill Rudison
9. Sheilahe Brown
10. Jennie Verdi
11. Melissa DiBernardo
12. Jen Ann Louwagie
13. Sandra Lombardo
14. Cynthia Colon
15. Nathalie Falk
16. Sarah Bridges
16. Gloria Faulls
16. Asha Hadley
16. Carmen Knights
16. Michelle Krack
16. Frances Mendez
16. Sheena Ohlig
16. Vallerie Paul
16. Antonia Perdikakis
16. Gina Quinn
16. Jane Santos
16. Stacy Simons McDowell
16. Alecia Marie Rankovic
16. Kathy Unger

 

Filed Under: Contest Results

2013 IFBB New York Pro Results & Hardbody Review

May 28, 2013 by

Over the weekend, Floridian Candice Keene continued to pick up momentum as the leading lady in the IFBB Figure division. She was poised as one the top contenders leading into the show and she delivered. Walking away the two-time New York Pro Figure Champ. The win was her fourth in a row and she’s poised to be the top contender for the Olympia Figure title.

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View photos from the 2013 New York Pro.

The match-up most were expecting to see heading into this contest was Keene vs Wilkins for the crown however it didn’t play out that way. Nicole had been away from the stage since last year’s Sheru Classic and was expected to challenge Keene for the top spot in New York. Things didn’t quite go as planned and Nicole finished in third. It was the first time Nicole had finished out of the top two since the 2009 IFBB New York Pro Fitness, where she was fourth. She had some troubles with the New York weather and delayed flights with undoubtedly added stress and likely water retention. When she took the stage you could tell she wasn’t the glowing, confident competitor we’ve grown accustomed to seeing in competitions. With Nicole off it left the door open for others to challenge Keen for the top spot. When the individual posing was complete it was clear it was Keene and everyone else.

Stepping up in her second show as a pro was New Yorker by way of France, Swann Cardot. Swann was glowing from head-to-toe and was still smiling from being proposed to the night before. She came in much tighter than she had at the Pittsburgh Pro and the added confidence positioned her as a stand out. She still has some work to do on adding more size and she’s a little straight up in down in her shape but those changes will take time. The jump from tenth to second and besting one of the industry’s best in Wilkins is definitely a confidence boost for her heading into the Toronto Pro.

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Swann, Candice, Nicole – Top Three at the 2013 New York Pro Figure

Rebecca Vera was a stand out and has the potential to be a leading lady in the years to come. She has a youthful look and the structure to do well in the Figure division. She quietly made her pro debut at the Powerhouse Classic where she finished 11th but was a stand-out in this show. She achieve pro status at last year’s Team Universe and with a little tighter backside and more stage time she’ll be a threat for the winner’s circle. Monica Specking has tremendous shape and has been in the top spots before. She was fifth at the New York Pro and could have been placed a bit higher without many arguments. Her suit top didn’t fit her the best and could have been a tad tighter in the glutes but overall a solid showing. Maria Luisa Baeza Diaz has a good look and nice structure. She carries a bit more muscle than some of the other women but she matches up well with this line-up. Another competitor who could have been higher without many arguments.

View photos from the 2013 New York Pro.


2013 IFBB New York Pro Figure Results
1. Candice Keene
2. Swann Cardot
3. Nicole Wilkins
4. Rebecca Vera
5. Monica Specking
6. Maria Luisa Baeza Diaz
7. Andrea Cantone
8. Corinna Booth
9. Patty Zariello
10. Lauren Cascio
11. Rebecca Schubeck
12. Melanise Pettee
13. Katerina Tarbox
14. Amy Puglise
15. Kenyatta Jones-Arietta
16. Shelly Albetta
16. Michelle DeRosa
16. Tiani Norman
16. Marcy Porter
16. Cinderella Richardson
16. Tissilli Rogers
16. Elvimar Sanchez

Filed Under: Contest Results

Flash Results – 2013 IFBB New York Pro Women

May 26, 2013 by

The women rocked the house in New York. There were some expected finishes and some that no one could have predicted. We’ll have complete results on each division and how things shook out in New York at the 2013 New York Pro. Stay tuned.

Women Physique Results:
1. Juliana Malacarne
2. Karina Nascimento
3. Toni West

Figure Results:
1. Candice Keene
2. Swann Cardot
3. Nicole Wilkins

Bikini Results:
1. Yeshaira Robles
2. Ashley Kaltwasser
3. Lindsey Waters

Filed Under: Contest Results

2013 Ifbb New York Pro Women’s Preview

May 25, 2013 by

The 2013 IFBB New York Pro is upon us and the women’s division will be highly competitive. The Figure, Bikini and Women’s Physique all have a few fan favorites but no clear-cut winner heading into the event. The prejudging will take place at 11am EST at the Tribecca Performing Arts Center and there we’ll get a better idea of who will leave the champion, crowned later in the night at the finals.

THE HARDBODY 411:

Ones to Watch in Figure:
The match-up that everyone will be watching is the reigning Figure International Champ, Candice Keene and top Figure Pro Nicole Wilkins. Nicole sat out this year’s Arnold to give her body a little rest. This will be the first show of the year for her and she’ll either be relaxed, rest and refreshed or a bit rusty. Knowing Nicole, don’t look for her to be on stage rusty. The only x-factor will be if the flight delay disrupted her final hours of prep. Candice will likely be the harder and appear more muscular of the two however Nicole has better symmetry and shape. It’s hard think that anyone will beat either of these two, however anything is possible.

Marcy Porter is back on stage after a few months layoff. She was once a top tier pro, can she return to the top five? Shelly Albetta will be making her pro debut and look for the New York crowd to be behind her. Swann aka Frenchy Cardot will be grinning ear-to-ear after being proposed to on the eve of the show. She’ll be sporting a new rock and will much sharper than her Pittsburgh showing. Monica Specking has the shape and if she comes in a bit sharper with the little details she’ll be in the mix. Patty Zariello will also have the hometown crowd behind her and if she goes back to her Pittsburgh look she’ll be in the hunt.

Figure
Shelly Albetta
Maria Luisa Baeza Diaz
Corinna Booth
Andrea Cantone
Swann Cardot
Lauren Cascio
Michelle DeRosa
Kenyatta Jones Arietta
Candice Keene
Tiani Norman
Melanise Pettee
Marcy Porter
Amy Puglise
Cinderella Richardson
Tissilli Rogers
Elvimar Sanchez
Rebecca Schubeck
Monica Specking
Katerina Tarbox
Rebecca Vera
Nicole Wilkins
Patty Zariello

Ones to Watch in Bikini:
The bikini division will be a very competitive division. Lindsey Waters achieved IFBB Pro status at the NPC JR USAs last week and is wasting no time getting into the mix. She has a rock’n physique and my only nit-pick thing is sometimes her eyeshadow / makeup is too dark and heavy around her eyes. She’s cute so would like to see her play up the cutesy part and not try to have a sultry look. She could win this show but she’ll have her work cut out for her. Yeshaira Robles is a class act on and off the stage. She’s one of the few women who can be smiling and cute and in the flip of her hair she’s captivating you with a sexy, whoa hot momma look. The thing about Yeshaira that women need to note is her energy. She ALWAYS has positive energy to her on stage and you can’t help but be drawn to her. She’s got the body to match and it’s the little things that always put Yeshaira on top. Ashley Kaltwasser has a sic physique from her years of running and it’s one of the most athletic looks n the division. If she nails her tanning and doesn’t cake on the heavy eye make-up she’s your winner. She continues to get better and better with more stage time. Once she nails all the little details, she’ll be a top 6 Olympia competitor and collect a few more first place wins like she did two weeks ago in Detroit.

The X-factor in this show is Yarelis Gonzalez. She’s one of the shorter competitors and if she’s is slightly off she’s on the outside looking in. Her upper body is usually spot on but her legs and Cuban booty tend to be a bit bigger and drop her down in her placings. If she comes in with a tight booty and smaller legs than Pittsburgh she’ll be tough to beat. She has yet to reach her potential and if she nails it here she’ll be back in the mix as a top competitor. If she doesn’t it’ll leave you wondering if she will ever be able to match the look she had as an amateur. Dayna Maleton has a great physique and if she poses without looking like a fish out of water she’ll be in the top spots. She always has impeccable hair and makeup, so ladies take note. Leigh Brandt, the original Canadian Cutie, will look to get in the top spots. She has the looks but doesn’t have as much muscle as some of the others but still one to watch. Gigi Amurao could be in the hunt if she brings her legs down and comes in a bit tighter than Pittsburgh. Nikola Weiterova and Ashley Wade have stunning looks but yet to crack the top five. Meredith Long will be making her IFBB Pro debut and will be next to another tall competitor Tabitha Klausen. Both women are beautiful and will be two of the taller women in the show, we’ll see how they match up. The Nawlins’ Hip-hop-poppa Ashley Cronley LeBlanc has the potential to be in the top five and if she can present in a relaxed, poised manner without twisting herself in half she’ll be in the mix.

As you can see this a VERY tough line-up.

Bikini
Gigi Amurao
Maria Annunziata
Cynthia Benoit
Leigh Brandt
Danielle Carr
Ashley Cronley Leblanc
Yarelis Gonzalez
Janet Harding
Andrea Hertlein
Ashley Kaltwasser
Tabitha Klausen
Meredith Long
Dayna Maleton
Nathalie Mur
Cecile Palacios
Yeshaira Robles
Anna Starodubtseva
Anna Lee Van Hattan
Ashley Wade
Lindsey Waters
Nikola Weiterova
Francesca Yumul

Women’s Physique Ones to Watch: The IFBB Women’s Physique division is in its second year and there are still some growing pains with what “the look” should be. It’s definitely making headway and gone are the female bodybuilders with too much muscle, generally speaking. You’ll see apples to oranges in terms of physiques. The likely battle will come down to Juliana Malacarne and Karina Nascimento. The two Brazilians have a great look without being over the top with the muscle factor. Karina plays up her sex appeal when she presents, which tends to help draw your attention to her. Joele Smith and Toni West both have nice looks and could be in the mix for a top spot. Hometown favorite Jillian Reville will be a contender if she comes in full and doesn’t look too stringy. Jill Rudison has potential to be in the mix if she has her legs dialed down and doesn’t appear too muscular in the lower body. It’ll be an interesting show to watch and will be foreshadowing of what’s to come at future shows in terms of “the look”.

Women’s Physique
Sarah Bridges
Sheilahe Brown
Cynthia Colon
Melissa DiBernardo
Nathalie Falk
Gloria Faulls
Nathalie Foreau
Asha Hadley
Carmen Knights
Michelle Krack
Sandra Lombardo
Jen Louwagie
Juliana Malacarne
Frances Mendez
Teresita Morales
Karina Nascimento
Sheena Ohlig
Vallerie Paul
Antonia Perdikakis
Audrey Presson
Gina Quinn
Alecia Rankovic
Jillian Reville
Jill Rudison
Jane Santos
Stacy Simons McDowell
Joele Smith
Kathy Unger
Jennie Verde
Toni West

Filed Under: News & Features, Show Previews

WWE Reportedly Signs Vargas & Kaufman to Diva Roster

May 24, 2013 by

Multiple wrestling blogs are reporting that the WWE has signed fitness models Alexis (Lexi) Kaufman and Christina Vargas to their company roster. The two have posted about the WWE over the past few months and it appears they are part of the WWE now.

new-wwe-divas

Christina has competed in the IFBB as not only a bikini competitor but also a figure competitor. She was one of the few women who successfully made the switch from Figure to Bikini. The Vegas resident won the 2011 Houston Pro Bikini, which qualified her for the Olympia. Christina was recently featured on the cover of IRONMAN magazine.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CVargas26
Instagram: http://instagram.com/christinavargas
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VARGAS26

Lexi has made a name for herself in Columbus, Ohio. She achieved IFBB Pro status at the 2011 North Americans but has found more success in modeling than competing. She’s appeared in numerous publications throughout Columbus and can be see in supplement ads for FINAFLEX.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lexi-Kaufman/171733126219865
Instagram: http://instagram.com/Lexi_kaufman
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lexi_Kaufman

We’ll keep you posted. If the two make it to the Diva roster they’ll join the fellow NPC/IFBB competitor Zivilie (Akasana) and Celeste (Kaitlyn).

lex_christina

Filed Under: News & Features

Can Dieting Make You Fat? A Look at Metabolic Burnout

May 22, 2013 by

There’s been numerous discussions online and we’ve heard the chatter offline about “Metabolic Burnout”. The blame game continues to be played with few players stepping up to take responsibility. We decided to consult with professionals to get their take on the matter and help shed some light on this hot topic.

What is Metabolic Burnout? Are you suffering from it? What causes it? The answers to those questions and more.

metabolic-burnout

Can Dieting Make You Fat?
Metabolic Burnout is a recently popular term used by many women in the competition world.  It is known to occur due to the result of many years of abuse (stress, lack of sleep, prescription and over-the-counter medications, poor diet and exercise patterns) that cause your organ(s), most specifically the adrenal glands, pancreas or thyroid, to work less efficiently. Your internal balance is thrown off and the body struggles to bring itself back into equilibrium.  A few of the most common symptoms include: fatigue or inability to fall asleep, hunger and difficulty losing weight.

This controversial topic embodies the notion that if an individual drops below an intake of about 1400 calories/day (or perhaps 1200), the metabolism will “shut down” and he or she will “hold on to fat” and will not lose weight.  In addition, the extreme low calorie dieting then predisposes them to acquire even more body fat.  This debate underscores the large gap that exists in our understanding of basic physiological laws that govern the regulation of human body composition.  A striking example is the key role attributed to adipose (fat) cells as feedback signals between adipose tissue depletion as a consequence of dieting followed by increases in food intake.  A feedback loop between fat depletion and food intake cannot explain why individuals after dieting begin to overeat well after body fat has been restored to a normal level, and then continue to eat and cause “fat overshooting”. In order to address the credibility of dieting causing predisposition for increased fatness, this paper will examine both the physiological and psychological relationship between dieting and re-feeding.

The Metabolic Effects of Low Calorie Diets
A low calorie diet is a diet that contains between 900 and 1,300 calories a day, while a very low calorie diet has no more than 800 calories per day. Typically a very low calorie diet is for obese individuals on a short-term basis and monitored by a physician.  This type of chronic restrictive dieting may tend to decrease a person’s basal metabolic rate overtime. A study published in the 1987 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition was conducted over a six-month period to determine the effects of a low calorie diet, energy expenditure and resting metabolic rate. The 15 women who participated in the study had a reduction in basal metabolic rate in the last three months as well as a decrease in energy expenditure. Another study published in the 1991 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that the participants had a significant decrease in resting metabolic rate in the last two weeks of the three-week study.

As the results of these studies indicate, a low calorie diet may lead to an initial weight loss but could also cause a lowered metabolism that may not necessarily recover to its original levels even after increasing your calories back to a normal amount. So while you may drop a ton of weight fast by minimal calories a day, over time, your body will go into “starvation mode”, decreasing the amount of calories you burn at rest so as to conserve your body’s energy stores and prevent death. It may sound dramatic, but remember, our genes haven’t changed all that much since pre-historic times when death from starvation was commonplace.

Post Low Calorie Dieting and Fat Overshooting
It’s not that dieting makes you fat, but that being fat makes you more likely to diet!  Most competitors fall into this “Post Dieting – Fat Overshooting” category.  This is basically the process of losing body fat and then increasing food intake and decreasing energy expenditure to such an extreme that the person regains far more body weight than needed resulting in body fat overshooting.

The weight rebound that comes after the period of dieting apparently includes an overshoot in both increased appetite and fat gain. People seem driven to eat more than necessary to restore their normal weight, and they gain more body fat than they had prior to the beginning of the diet.

Psychological Causes for Post Dieting – Fat Overshooting
There have been countless psychological research studies concerning the most effective ways to maintain weight loss.  This research has proven that weight loss maintenance has not only a physiological component, but a psychological one as well.  Of course you do not want to attempt to maintain your contest weight and conditioning year round.  However, there is no need to find yourself in a weight loss and gain cycle due to behaviors, which cause you to re-gain all of the weight you worked so hard to lose.

As human beings, we are naturally goal oriented.  A research article published in the 2013 edition of Psychological Review outlines a common internal conflict in those concerned with their weight. This conflict exists between the desire to lose the weight and keep it off, versus the desire to enjoy food. Sports psychology research shows us that staying committed to a task-oriented goal is much easier than staying committed to an outcome based goal.  The goal to obtain a particular physique for a competition is task oriented in nature, and this task- oriented desire to obtain a stage-ready physique can often overrule the goal of food enjoyment and lead to weight loss success.  After a competition has ended, competitors no longer have the short-term, task oriented goal of obtaining a stage-ready physique to drive them to continue with their lifestyle modifications.  The goal associated with their food intake behavior then becomes outcome oriented in that it is not based on a specific event, rather it is based upon the broad outcome of not re-gaining the weight.  The less effective outcome specific goal mixed with an immediate short-term goal of food enjoyment can lead to a behavioral shift.  This shift can cause the individual to completely abandon all lifestyle modifications that led to their weight loss.  Without a task oriented physique goal in sight, this shift in goals can lead to weight gain, which often exceeds that in which they lost.

Research demonstrates that those who regain weight after losing weight during a period of dietary restraint, displays several common behavioral factors and personality traits.  In clinical trials cited in the 1997 and 1998 Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology concerning individuals who experienced successful weight loss and then suffered subsequent gain, the following behaviors were observed; lack of attempt to restrain their eating, marked decrease in physical activity, an increase in television viewing, reports of marked hunger and eating due to depression.  Another very interesting and well-documented behavior found in those who regain weight, is that they often stop weighing themselves once they have reached their weight loss goal.  This statement is not advocating that obsession with the scale is healthy.  However, according to researchers at the University of Hertfordshire, those who were able to keep their weight loss over time found the ability to utilize the scale as a measure of behavioral restraint. These individuals found themselves able to modify their dietary behavior if they observed themselves regaining an abundance of the weight in which they had lost.  Those who were not able to maintain their weight loss were more likely to have either abandoned the scale all together or did not attempt to modify their behavior when observing an increase in bodyweight.

Researchers at Brown Medical School found that there are many baseline personality traits (personality traits observed before the dietary restraint began) to be associated with the regaining of weight after weight loss goal completion.  These factors included a higher baseline level of disinhibition in relation to desirable food, higher baseline levels of binge eating behavior, a self-reported inability to maintain unrelated lifestyle and behavior modifications and a history of yo-yo weight gain and loss.  This does not mean that individuals who possess these personality factors cannot be successful in maintaining weight loss.  Rather, it serves as an alert to these individuals that they must be conscious of their predisposed triggers, which may cause them to have difficulty in maintaining their weight once their weight loss goal has been achieved.

Following a diet that contains too few calories can have some very negative (and possibly permanent) effects on your metabolism and overall health. Not only is it impossible to meet your nutrient goals for the day, but chronic crash dieters or contest dieters are also shooting themselves in the foot in terms of weight loss by slowing their metabolism and thereby making it even more difficult to shed excess pounds in the long-term. In addition, you’ll be setting yourself up for nutritional deficiencies, which can have long-term complications (i.e. anemia, osteoporosis, etc.)

It seems as if those people who are claiming damage from dieting and competing most often “cheat” on their nutrition plans and then attempt to make up for it by increasing exercise duration and cutting back calories even further.  The even bigger issue is that many of these same people will gain 20-30 pounds (or more!) after their competitions by completely ceasing exercising and becoming a stranger to the gym for weeks or months! So when its contest time again they have even more weight to lose!

Competing in a sport based on obtaining a lean, tight, sculpted physique requires dietary restriction.  However, starving one’s self or resorting to extremely low calorie diets is not necessary to obtain a stage-ready physique.  By taking your time to lose the initial weight correctly, the final stages of your competition prep will not be as difficult.  In addition, having a strategy for success after you have left the stage is equally as important.  Honestly assess your personality traits in relation to the research demonstrated concerning those who have difficulty in maintaining weight loss success, and take the steps necessary to assist yourself in modifying your behavior.  Additionally, prepare for how you are going to maintain a majority of your weight loss after your task oriented competition goal has been completed.

This type of “yo-yo” weight loss makes losing weight more and more difficult over time.  In order to be successful and healthy throughout years of this sport, you MUST make this a lifestyle and live it 365 days a year.  Then it won’t be so difficult or dangerous when its time to prepare for a competition.  The intelligent choice is to remain within 5-7lbs (no more than 10lbs) of your contest weight year round.  This lifestyle choice makes competition training and nutrition easier and more enjoyable.  If you chose to be involved in this sport then you aspired to be fit and healthy so why would anyone allow herself to gain 20+ pounds of fat?  LIVE THE LIFESTYLE and be happy, healthy and fit forever!

AUTHORS:
Tracey C. Greenwood, PhD
Associate Professor of Exercise Science
Eastern University
IFBB Fitness Pro

Shannon Dey
M.S. Heath Education
Doctoral Candidate Sports Psychology
IFBB Fitness Pro

Sources:
Bacon, L. & Aphramor, L.  (2011).  Weight science:  evaluating the evidence for a paradigm shift.  Nutrition Journal, 10:  9-15.
Dulloo, Ag., Jacquet, J. & Montani, JP.  (2012).  How dieting makes some fatter: from a perspective of human body composition autoregulation.  Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 71: 379-389.
Dosil, J. (2010).  The Sports Psychologist Handbook, Wiley and Sons, NJ.
Fletcher, B. (2011).  FIT – Do something different:  A new behavioral program for sustained weight loss.  Swiss Journal of Psychology 70(1), 25-34.
Friedman, M. (1998).  Differential relation of psychological functioning  with the history and experience of weight cycling. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66(4), 645-650.
Hermen, P. (2008)  Undereating or eliminating overeating?  American Psychologist, 63(10), 202-204.
Kruger, J. et al.  (2004).  Attempting to lose weight: specific practices among U.S. adults.  Am. Jour. Prev . Med., 26: 402-406.
Lahti-Koski, M. et al.  (2005).  Prevalence of weight cycling and its relation to health indicators.  Obesity Research, 13: 333-341.
McGuire, R. (1999) What predicts weight regain in a group of successful weight losers?  Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67(2), 177-185.
O’Neill, PM. & Jarrell, MP. (1992).  Psychological aspects of obesity and very-low-calorie diets. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 56(1): 185-189.
Stroebe, W. (2013).  Why most dieters fail but some succeed:  A goal conflict model of eating behavior.  Psychological Review, 120(1).  110-138
Wing, R. (2008).  Maintaining large weight losses:  The role of behavioral and psychological factors.  Journal of consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(6), 1-15-1021.
Zorbas, YG., Merkov, AB. & Nobahar, AV.  (2001).  Effect of low-calorie diets on metabolism of man.  J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol., 9(5-6):457-65

 

Filed Under: Competitor's Corner

WWE Features “Superstars and Divas bodybuilding past”

May 22, 2013 by

Our resident Hardbody contributor, Kaitlyn became the WWE Divas champ and shot to worldwide fame in the process. We’ve known her since her competition days and today WWE.com took note of her past on their website. See the excerpt below for what they had to say about the HARDBODY champ.

kaitlyn

From WWE.com:

WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn got an early start in the world of bodybuilding, beginning her training at 18.

“I did really well in several NPC shows in Texas,” the Divas Champion said. “The first show I ever did, I trained all on my own and didn’t have a nutritionist or a trainer. I just loved bodybuilding and fitness ever since I was a kid. I placed 10thout of 20, which is pretty good for doing everything on my own at 18.

One year later, she came back and won the same show.

However, Kaitlyn’s favorite moment was competing in the Arnold Classic figure division at the amateur level. “I was the youngest competitor on stage,” she said. “Even though I didn’t win the show, I placed top five. Just being in the top five in the Arnold Classic — a huge international show that I was invited to — was such cool moment for me.”

Recalling the rigors of bodybuilding competition, Kaitlyn revealed her secret to success.

“A lot of people say the diet is the hardest thing. But once you commit to doing it, the diet just becomes routine. The hardest thing is staying mentally focused. Once you accept this [diet and cardio] is what you have to do, it’s easy. The second that you get out of the right mindset, it screws everything up.”

Certainly, Kaitlyn has figured out the key to success in WWE as well.

See more WWE superstars and divas who competed in bodybuilding here. We were a bit surprised that they didn’t feature Aksana who not only competed in the Figure International but she also shook Arnold’s had as the winner in 2009.

zivile

Zivile at the Arnold Classic / Figure International

Filed Under: Celebrity Fitness, Kaitlyn's Corner

A Recharged Nicole Wilkins is Ready for New York

May 22, 2013 by

Nicole Wilkins has solidified herself as one of the best IFBB Pro Figure competitors of all-time. She’s steadily climbed her way to the top of the Figure ranks and  hasn’t placed lower than second since 2009. She was the first woman to achieve pro status in not only Figure but also Fitness, at the same show. Something that will never be matched since competitors are no longer allowed to compete in both at the same show. She tried her hand at Pro Fitness and with some success but it wasn’t until she focused her efforts solely on Figure that she shot to the top.

nicole-wilkins
The 2012 competitive Figure season wasn’t the best of her career but now that she’s settled into a new home and taken some time off, the champ is back. Keep in mind, “not the best” for Nicole was winning the the 2012 Figure International (for the third time) and three runner-up finishes, something most competitors only dream of accomplishing. This weekend Nicole will compete on the stage where she achieved pro status, the Tribecca Performing Arts Center. The nervous excitement will likely be there again but this time she’ll be after the New York Pro Figure title.

We caught up with the popular fitness model, spokes-model and champion figure competitor on the heels of her return to the stage.

HARDBODY INTERVIEW with NICOLE WILKINS

How’s it feel to be back on stage?
I am excited and a little nervous. I feel like it has been so long!

How long of a break did you take?
I haven’t stepped onstage since the beginning of Oct last year at the Sheru Classic in India.

This was the longest break you’ve taken in a few years, right?
Right. This was the longest break I have had since 2006.

What was the most helpful thing for you to take a bit of a break?
I was really tired and burnt out last year. I wasn’t feeling my best and I needed to take a step back to enjoy myself in the gym again. I had more time to get settled into my new home, spend time with family, go wine tasting in Temecula, gain some strength back, enjoy dinner dates, etc. When it was time to start the prep for this show, I was ready.

What was the most challenging part of not competing for months?
There is not as much structure. I love routine and order. It was also a little difficult to sit out of the Arnold. Other than that, I honestly enjoyed every minute of it. It went by pretty fast.

Did it feel weird not prepping for a show over the holidays?
Yes definitely. I caught myself a few times. I still ate clean and worked out like normal, I just had some dessert 🙂 My family is pretty healthy even during the holidays and always make me plain chicken, yams and veggies. I have been competing at the Arnold since 2008, so I have dieted through the holidays every year since then. I had developed a bit of a habit I guess.

This weekend is your return, did you do anything different for your NY PRO Prep?
Every prep my body is a little different – especially the older I get. For this show, I still lifted heavy and incorporated carb cycling, but we were careful not to overdo anything. I am the type of person that will run myself into the ground if that is what it takes. It can be a blessing and a curse. I also recently moved to Temecula, so I was able to pose every week with Kim Oddo. It helped that he could see me regularly.

Do you pack all your food for a show like New York?
I always pack my own food on all of my trips, whether I am competing or not. I measure everything out and put it in baggies. Oatmeal, yams, rice cakes, almonds, steak, salmon etc. I bring it all in my 6 Pack Bag (www.sixpackbags.com). I have to be prepared and food is the most important part! 😉

When’s your last weight training day before a show?
Wednesday I will train shoulders and it will be my last training day.

When do you stop doing cardio before a show?
Usually Wednesday. This time I may do 30min in the morning on Thurs before I fly out.

Who makes your competition suits?
Maggie Keaveny (www.maggie-suits.com). She is amazing and has been doing my suits since 2007!

What’s the best part of living in California now?
The weather!!! I did not miss the cold snowy winter. I love that I can hike outside up the hills, lay in the sun and go running in the morning – the weather is always the same. I also moved from a tiny tiny apartment into a house, so I am loving the space.

Most challenging part of living in Cali?
Definitely missing my family and friends back in MI. Thankfully, I have gotten to see them just about every other month since I moved. I travel a ton so I try to get back as often as I can. My parents and some of my best friends will be in NYC and the Olympia and I will go back in July for a week for my show (NPC Nicole Wilkins Classic July 13 www.michiganfitnessshows.com).

You have a video blog on Fitness RX for Women – what topics do you get asked about the most?
Definitely diet and motivation. It seems like most people have the training part down. The challenging part about the nutrition is that no body is the same and your body is constantly changing. There isn’t a ‘one plan fits all’. With the thousands of different diets out there, its no wonder people are confused. And as far as motivation, no one can give that to you. You have to find it within yourself. It comes and goes all the time. Just be consistent, find something you are truly passionate about and don’t let anything or anyone stop you.

Are you still training others?
Yep! I do one on one training during the week and I also do online training. My current site is being renovated so it is best to just directly email me at nicole@nicolewilkins.com

Do you train dudes or only women?
It is primarily women but I do have a handful of men. I don’t discriminate ;P

Where will peeps see ya after the NY PRO?
I will be home for about 3 days and then off to Finland and Sweden for 10 days, home for 3 days, then off to Chicago for Jr. Nationals, then to New Orleans, Texas, Team Universe in Jersey, USAs in Vegas, then to Massachusetts and finally Windsor all before Aug 10th. I am tired just looking at that schedule!

What’s your favorite way to communicate with fans?
Facebook at www.facebook.com/nicolewilkins01
Twitter @nicolemwilkins
Instagram @nicolemwilkins

Mantra heading into this weekend’s show…
Give it to God and have fun!

Thanks Nicole, safe travels and we’ll see ya in The Big Apple.
Thank YOU! See you in NYC!

View Nicole’s competition photos here.

 

 

Filed Under: Interviews, News & Features

Arnold Fitness Champion Tanji Johnson Undergoes Knee Surgery

May 22, 2013 by

The 2013 Fitness International Champion, Tanji Johnson underwent knee surgery on May 21, 2013. The high flying fitness champion shared the results of her surgery with her fans on facebook shortly after the surgery.

tanji-johnson

“Thank u everyone for ur thoughts and prayers regarding my knee surgery. It went well! No ACL damage, praise God! Just meniscus and a little hole in my knee bone but I will be good to go in no time. Just thankful for good health and my great ortho doctors at the WA Institute of Ortho Surgery in Totem Lake!” – Tanji Johnson

We wish the Tanji all the best in her recovery and hope to see her back on stage soon.

Filed Under: News & Features

2013 IFBB California Pro Figure Preview

May 21, 2013 by

Things will heat up this weekend in Culver City, California as 27 IFBB Figure Pros take the stage in hopes of not only bragging rights but also an Olympia qualification. While the list below isn’t final it’s a good indicator as to who we’ll see in the event. There’s no clear cut favorite for the win which will make for an interesting show.

california-pro
Based on previous outings, we could see these women in the mix… Victoria Adelus continues to refine her physique and if she comes in full she could be in the mix. Krista Dunn could fair a bit better here than in other shows as she carries a fair amount of muscle and many of the women in this line up do as well. Wendy Fortina had success earlier this year at the Governor’s Cup and will look to be in the top spots once again here. If she brings a similar look she could. Allison Frahn wasn’t at her best at the Detroit pro but a couple of weeks have passed since then and she should come in better here. She always seems to be in the mix here so don’t be surprised if she’s in the top five once again. Monica Labriola has a great physique and a bit shorter than some of the others here. She’ll need to come in a bit tighter than others and could be in the top spots if she does. Michele Mayberry has been all over the map in her placings but brought a nice look last year. We’ll have to see what she brings this year. Laurie Schnelle found a nice balance in Pittsburgh and the judges took a liking to it. This will be a different set of judges and different line up so no telling if she’ll find similar results. She does have a solid physique that can hang though.

If you’re a gambler then you’re likely to wager on the contest being between Camala Rodriquez and Francine Sablan. Camala was recently married and if that didn’t disrupt her prep you’ll see her in the top call-out. Francine Sablan has the home turf Cali advantage and likely a bit more determined than others. She was snubbed on an Arnold invite and this will be the first time we see her on stage this year. If she brings the look she did last year she’ll be in the hunt for the win. The big question is if she will come in sharp enough her first time back on stage.


2013 IFBB California Pro Figure
Victoria Adelus
Leah Berti
Clarissa Castaneda
Krista Dunn
Dawn Fernandez
Wendy Fortino
Allison Frahn
Maria Garcia
Cristina Gedang
Erin Harding
Rose Hendricks
Elizabeth Jenkins
Christine Kluger
Monica Labriola
Georgina Lona
Michele Mayberry
Julie Mayer Hyman
Queren Pacheco
Alessandra Pinheiro
Tiffany Radzwill
Camala Rodriquez
Francine Sablan
Jill St. Laurent
Laurie Schnelle
Tamara Sedlack
Michelle Shepherd
Bojana Vasiljevic

More info visit musclecontest.com and use the hashtag #CALPRO in all your tweets.

Filed Under: Show Previews

Abby Head On – ESPN Feature

May 16, 2013 by

Abby Wambach is one of the most popular soccer players in the world. She’s help put women’s soccer back on the map and one of the leaders of TEAM USA. ESPN does a great job of featuring Abby and how she narrowed down her choice of college.

abby-wambach-espn

The best line comes at the very end when Abby talks about not being offered much by the best college soccer program (North Carolina) at the time. She says, “I can decide to go to this school or I can go to another school and beat them.” That gives you a bit of insight into her competitive spirit.

SEC Storied Abby Head On premiered Wednesday May 15th 8pm ET on ESPNU.

Filed Under: Soccer, Videos

Fitness Tech – Aol HardWired

May 16, 2013 by

YouTube star iJustine travels across America to discover the latest innovations in wearable technology. The AOL original series shares new episodes every Wednesday. Technology continues to improve and we’re seeing it appear in the world of health and fitness. Gadgets are capturing more and more data in an attempt to improve our lives.

hardwired-ijustine

Fitness Tech
iJustine breaks a sweat and explores first-hand the latest styles and innovations of her favorite workout wearable tech gear.


Get HardWired on twitter.@HardWiredTech #HardWired

Filed Under: News & Features

2013 NPC JR USA Preview – Charleston, South Carolina

May 16, 2013 by

The first IFBB Pro qualifier will take place on May 18, 2013 in Charleston, South Carolina. Over 450 National Physique Committee (NPC) competitors are expected to compete. Promoter Tres Bennett always takes great care of the competitors and the venue, North Charleston Performing Arts Center, is one of the best. It’s such a great venue that Bonnie Raitt and Jason Aldean will be performing in it the night before.

jrusa-preview
Those checking into the host hotel, take note that parking could be challenging on Friday night because of the concert. The venue is across the parking lot from the Embassy Suites hotel, which makes it convenient for competitors. The area around the venue continues to grow. There are numerous restaurants, a Super Wal-mart, shopping and more all with-in a five minute drive. The venue is about 10-15 minutes from the airport, which is also convenient. If you have some extra time head into Charleston and enjoy some amazing seafood. The character of the city is rich in history and worth visiting.

The show will be dominated by the Bikini, Figure and Men’s Physique divisions. Sadly, there looks to be fewer than 10 total fitness competitors entered in the show. It’s unfortunate to see these numbers so low as one of these women will leave with IFBB Pro status. Another sign of the times and the change that is happening is the Women’s Bodybuilding division. There were only TWO (2) female bodybuilders entered in the competition. There is no pro card for the division but still, it’s very telling what’s in store for the division. When competitors don’t enter, women can’t expect promoters to continue to add it to their shows.

Expect to see around 40 Women’s Physique competitors. Making the transition from Figure to Women’s Physique will be Kelly Diffenderfer. She’ll be one to watch in this division on Saturday.

Over 120 women will compete for pro status in the Bikini division and it’s always a competitive group. There will be six height classes and the winners of each class will be compared for pro status. Three of the six will be awarded pro status. Some shows each class winner and even the top two achieve pro status but this one you’ll need to win not only your class but also be one of three in the overall comparisons. The C and D class typically have the largest turn out and this year will likely be the same. Sundae Marshall, Patrice Lee-Seyon and Kadie McDuffie are potentials in the C class. Names like Hayley Davis, Trang Grider, Siliana Gaspard, Michelle LaCost and Paige Hathaway will likely all be in the D Class and ones to watch. Keep an eye out for Whitney Wiser in the E division and Callie Bundy in the F class. Tina Elias and Asia Mendoza are also two contenders in the F class.

The same holds true for the Figure competition and well over 100 women will compete for pro status. Camille Clarke has a unique look and continues to improve her physique in the F Class. Look for the 2012 NPC Music City Muscle Classic overall winner, Ecko Johnson in the F Class as well. She came up just short of pro status at last year’s NPC Nationals and has the potential to win the whole show this weekend. Familiar names like Michelle Moody and Tara Zito will be in the hunt of the E class. Brooke Merritt and Lacy Smith could be contenders in the B Class. Lacy Smith has really improved over the last year and was the overall figure champion in Sacramento earlier this year.

We won’t know who is in the show until late Friday night so there could be any a number of women who enter and could be your next IFBB Pros.

PHOTOS AND VIDEO
If you’re looking for official video of the competition you can purchase it through Mark “Money” Mason. Official NPC stage photos can be viewed and purchased through LIFT Studios.

WHERE:
North Charleston Performing Arts Center
5001 Coliseum Dr. North Charleston, SC 29418

WHEN:
FRIDAY MAY 17, 2013
Location: CONVENTION CENTER

ATHLETE CHECK IN / WEIGH IN
9:00AM-11:00AM or 5:00PM-7:00PM
MEETING ROOM 6 AND 7

*NOTE: Athletes are only required to check in once, either @ the morning session or the evening session.

SATURDAY MAY 18, 2013:
Location: PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
DOORS OPEN TO PUBLIC 8:00AM

PREJUDGING: 8:30AM
FINALS: 6pm

MEETING TIMES
FITNESS / WOMEN’S BODYBUILDING / MEN’S BODYBUILDING / MEN’S PHYSIQUE 7:30 AM
WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE 9:00 AM
FIGURE 9:30 AM
BIKINI 10:00 AM

PRE-JUDGING ORDER*
FITNESS ROUTINES
WOMEN’S BODYBUILDING
MEN’S BODYBUILDING
MEN’S PHYSIQUE
WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE
FITNESS 2 PC
FIGURE
BIKINI

*THESE TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

 

Filed Under: Show Previews

Video: Erin Stern Fitness 360

May 15, 2013 by

Top Figure Athlete Erin Stern is the focus of Bodybuilding.com’s newest Fitness 360 feature. The fit Floridian shares how she got her start in the world of competitive figure and what her approach is to diet and training. She’s been able to transition from track & field to Figure. She mixes up her training and her meal plans throughout the year.

erin-stern

When asked about her diet she shares, “It’s definitely not a diet.” Erin stresses the importance of making healthy eating a lifestyle. Many people say this catch phrase but she lives it. She talks about setting goals, supplementation and training in the video shown below. It’s important to know why you are eating what you are and Erin lives by the philosophy that “knowledge is power”.

See more on Erin Stern’s Fitness 360 Feature.

Filed Under: News & Features, Supplements, Workouts

2013 IFBB Powerhouse Classic Bikini Results

May 12, 2013 by

IFBB Bikini Pro, Ashley Kaltwasser took home top honors at the 2013 IFBB Powerhouse Classic in Detroit, Michigan. The rising star has steadily improved from show to show and the win was her first pro victory. Ashley debuted last year at the Houston Pro where she took fifth. She was dropped a bit to tenth at the Bikini Internationals but bounced back with a pair of runner-up placings. Ashley has one of the more athletic physiques in the division and should continue to be a top contender in every show she enters.

bikini-detroit

Stacey Alexander made the trip from Cali and finished in second. She continues to be a top five contender every time she steps on stage. The young’n of the division, Courtney King was coming off a win at the Europa Show of Champions and was relegated to third this time around. The more time Courtney has on stage the more she’ll find her groove in her presentation. Jessica Renee continues to improve and finished with her best showing to date in fourth. Maura Bouchard rounded out the top five.

2013 IFBB Powerhouse Classic Bikini Results
1. Ashley Kaltwasser
2. Stacey Alexander
3. Courtney King
4. Jessica Renee
5. Maura Bouchard
6. Rachelle Dejean
7. Maria Annunziata
8. Jaclyn Wilson
9. Noemi Olah
10. Vladimira Krasova
11. Francesca Yumul
12. Lynn Sambuco
13. Heather Gonyea
14. Sandi Forsythe
15. Jennifer Elliott
16. Becky Clawson
16. Janet West
16. Natalie Abrhiem

Filed Under: Contest Results

2013 IFBB Powerhouse Classic Figure Results

May 12, 2013 by

Gennifer Strobo kept her winning ways alive in Michigan. The Florida Figure pro took top honors at the 2013 IFBB Powerhouse Classic, her second this month. Strobo was the winner last week at the IFBB Pittsburgh Pro and the win here has her on cruise control. She’s found the right balance for her physique and managed to come in full, a challenge she faced in previous shows. Natalie Waples returned to the top three and collected a few Olympia points along the way. Dana Ambrose also continued to be the most consistent competitor since turning pro with a third place finish.

detorit-pro-figure

The biggest surprise of the show may have come in the fourth place finish. Maria Luisa Baeza Diaz was 8th at the 2012 Pittsburgh Pro and 14th at the New York Pro last year. Allison Frahn rounded out the top five in her first appearance on stage for the year. Monica Specking, once a top contender, is still trying to find her groove and return to the winner’s circle.

2013 IFBB Powerhouse Classic Figure Results
1. Gennifer Strobo
2. Natalie Waples
3. Dana Ambrose
4. Maria Luisa Baeza Diaz
5. Allison Frahn
6. Monica Specking
7. Chaya Boone
8. Corinna Booth
9. Heather Nappi
10. Julie Mayer Hyman
11. Rebecca Vera
12. Monica Labriola
13. Patty Zariello
14. Vicki Counts
15. Kenyatta Jones-Arietta
16. Katerina Tarbox
16. Kiana Phi
16. Nicole Sims
16. Ninamarie Richter
16. Rebecca Book
16. Sarah Venturini
16. Summer Bernard
16. Tammy Bravomalo

Filed Under: Contest Results

2013 IFBB Optimum Pro Women’s Physique Results

May 12, 2013 by

Karina Nascimento was “the one to beat” heading into the 2013 IFBB Optimum Pro Women’s Physique contest. She was the first pro women’s physique winner in 2012 and had two wins to her credit heading into this season. Karina continued her winning ways in Shreveport, Louisiana by beating out 11 other pros. The win was her third in the IFBB’s newest division and secures her spot in the inaugural Olympia Showdown.

optimum-classic
Tycie Coppett and Joele Smith rounded out the top three. While the show wasn’t the biggest it showcased a variety of physiques. The next stop for the pro women is the Big Apple on May 25, 2013. Karina is slated to compete and if she comes out on top there she has to be considered the one to beat heading into the Olympia Showdown this fall.

2013 IFBB Optimum Pro Women’s Physique Results
1. Karina Nascimento
2. Tycie Coppett
3. Joele Smith
4. Evangeline Belton
5. Venus Nguyen
6. Karin Hobbs
7. Jennifer Robinson
8. Candrea Judd-Adams
9. Antonia Perdikakis
10. Samantha Hill
11. Sheilahe Brown
12. Lindy Waid

Filed Under: Contest Results

2013 IFBB Optimum Pro Women’s Physique Competitor List

May 8, 2013 by

The women of the IFBB Pro Women’s Physique division will be back this weekend in Shreveport, Louisiana. The show was added late to the schedule and little mention has been made about the contest. Despite the lackluster promotion for this pro event, twelve women are listed to compete.

women-physique

Last year’s stand out Karina Nascimento will be on stage for the first time this year to see if she can pick up where she left off in 2012. Karin Hobbs will look to get back in the winner’s circle and should be a top contender. Jennifer Robinson tends to fair better in the southern shows and could be in the top spots here. Venus Nyguyen was in the top placings in California last month but will have her work cut out for her in this lineup. If Toni Perdikakis comes in tighter with her conditioning, specifically her lower body she could be a contender. Sheilahe Brown will be one to watch as she’s one of the bigger competitors in the division. She’ll either be at the top or very bottom.


2013 IFBB Optimum Pro Women’s Physique
Candrea J Adams
Evageline Belton
Sheilahe Brown
Tycie Coppett
Samantha Hill
Karin Hobbs
Karina Nascimento
Venus Nguyen
Toni Perdikakis
Jennifer Robinson
Joele Smith
Lindy Waid

Filed Under: Show Previews

2013 IFBB Powerhouse Pro Competitor Lists & Hardbody Preview

May 8, 2013 by

The IFBB Pro League will head to Detroit, Michigan for the 2013 Powerhouse Classic. The event will feature Figure, Bikini and Men’s Physique. The three divisions that seem to be the most popular and drawing the most entrants as of late. This weekend has strong numbers and should be a competitive show.

hardbody-detroit

FIGURE
Heather Nappi appears to be making the switch from Bikini to Figure for the first time. Look for seasoned veterans to be in the mix for the top spots… Monica Specking, Gennifer Strobo and Allison Frahn have to be the favorites at least on paper. Look for Dana Ambrose, Natalie Waples, Vicki Counts and Chikonda Mseka to also be contenders. Patty Zariello also showed she can be a contender with her showing last week in Pittsburgh.

2013 IFBB Powerhouse Pro Figure
Dana Ambrose
Maria Luisa Baeza Diaz
Summer Bernard
Corinna Booth
Rebecca Book
Chaya Boone
Tammy Bravomalo
Vicki Counts
Allison Frahn
Kenyatta Jones Arietta
Monica Labriola
Julie Mayer Hyman
Chikonda Mseka
Heather Nappi
Kiana Phi
Nina Richter
Nicole Sims
Monica Specking
Gennifer Strobo
Katerina Tarbox
Sarah Venturini
Natalie Waples
Patty Zariello

BIKINI
Bikini has a a competitive group with Courtney King leading the way. She has the momentum heading into this show and will be the one to beat. Ashley Kaltwasser and Stacey Alexander will also be in the mix as they were two and three in Pittsburgh. Francesca Yuml has a unique look that could get the judges attention. Sandi Forsythe and Jessica Renee have the potential to be top five if they come in at their best.

2013 IFBB Powerhouse Pro Bikini
Natalie Abrhiem
Stacey Alexander
Maria Annunziata
Rachelle Dejean
Sandi Forsythe
Heather Gonyea
Ashley Kaltwasser
Courtney King
Vladimira Krasova
Noemi Olah
Jessica Renee
Janet Lynn West
Jaclyn Wilson
Francesca Yumul

The event will also play host to the Men’s Physique division. Look for Michael Anderson and Anton Antipov to be the leading contenders in this line-up.

2013 IFBB Powerhouse Pro Men’s Physique
Michael Anderson
Anton Antipov
Angel Cordero
Deniz Duygulu
Dean Fazzolari
Michael Ferguson
David Gonzalez
Robert Grote
David Herskovitz
Ian Lauer
Chris Mercadel
William Sullivan
Collin Wasiak

For more information visit:
http://powerhousegym.com/events-i-992.html

Filed Under: Show Previews

2013 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Bikini Results & Hardbody Review

May 8, 2013 by

Yeshaira Robles continues to be one of the leading ladies in the IFBB Bikini division. She was crowned the winner over the weekend at the 2013 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro. The competition continues to get better and better in the division. Ashley Kaltwasser finished in second and Stacey Alexander finished in third.

pitt-bikini

After prejudging it looked as though Stacey Alexander could have left the winner. She was spot on with her conditioning and seemed the sharpest of the group. Yeshaira has the presentation portion of competition down. She can go from cute and with the flip of her hair look like one of the sexiest women on stage. I wouldn’t have argued with Pollianna Moss winning the show either. She carries a bit more muscle on her tiny frame than the other women but she’s always poised and polished with her presentation. Ashley Kaltwasser has one of the most athletic physiques in the division and certainly can hang with the best of the division. The little details still plague Ashley. Ashley’s tanning was a bit green and muddy in the midsection and her makeup is a bit dark around the eyes for my liking. I’d like to see those details get ironed out and should be taken into account for placings, in my opinion. The tanning was better at the night show though. Lacey Deluca greatly improved from her Orlando finish and her physique was much tighter in Pittsburgh. She impressed the judges and it landed her in fourth.

View photos from the event here.

Many of these women will head to Detroit and New York to compete. We’ll see if there are similar results.

2013 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Bikini Results
1. Yeshaira Robles
2. Ashley Kaltwasser
3. Stacey Alexander
4. Lacey DeLuca
5. Pollianna Moss
6. Aly Veneno
7. Nicole Witbeck
8. Ashley Cronley LeBlanc
9. Yarelis Gonzalez
10. Gigi Amurao
11. Natalie Pennington
12. Vladimira Krasova
13. Jennifer Elliott
14. Anna Starodubtseva
15. Melissa Sayles
15. Natalie Abrhiem
17. Maria Annunziata
18. Becky Clawson
18. Cassandra Dubois
18. Heather Gonyea
18. Jessica Renee
18. Kelsie Burgin
18. Lynn Sambuco
18. Michon Leddy
18. Rachelle Dejean

View photos from the event here.

Filed Under: Contest Results

2013 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure Results & Hardbody Review

May 6, 2013 by

Gennifer Strobo notched her first victory of 2013. Strobo beat out a competitive field at the annual IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure. Coming in second was Ann Titone, who has steadily improved her physique and presentation. Rounding out the top three was Candice John, showing big improvements from her last show.

pittsburgh-pro-figure

The competition featured a variety of physiques and it left the judges with their hands full. The judges had Gen winning in unanimous fashion however others felt Titone could have gone home the winner. Dana Ambrose continues to be one of the most consist pros with her fourth place finish. If she was high than fourth many wouldn’t have argued as she was polished with her presentation and spot on with her conditioning. Candice John improved dramatically from her Daytona showing and if she can present a bit better, specifically not scrunching her shoulders up, she could place even higher. Laurie Schnelle brought a new look to the stage and finished in her highest placing as a pro yet.

View Photos here.

2013 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure Results:
1. Gennifer Strobo
2. Ann Titone
3. Candice John
4. Dana Ambrose
5. Laurie Schnelle
6. Monica Labriola
7. Corinna Booth
8. Dawn Fernandez
9. Patty Zariello
10. Swann Cardot
11. Elizabeth Jenkins
12. Krista Dunn
13. Julie Rengert
14. Agnese Russo
15. Danielle Sereluca
16. Amy Puglise
16. Jessie Hilgenberg
16. Katerina Tarbox
16. Lauren Cascio
16. Melissa Frederick
16. Ninamarie Richter
16. Satrice Rigsby
16. Summer Bernard
16. Tammy Bravomalo
16. Tanya Weinle
16. Yoko Washington
16. Sarah Venturini

View Photos here.

Filed Under: Contest Results

2013 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure Competitor List & Hardbody Preview

May 4, 2013 by

The IFBB Figure ladies will take the stage today at the Pittsburgh Pro. The competition will be fierce and the show is anyone’s for the taking. We’ll see a combination of seasoned veterans and rookies making their pro debuts.

pitt-pro-figure

Dana Ambrose has consistently been in the top five since turning pro, look for her to stay in the mix here. Candice John has been up and down in her placings and will all come down to how conditioned her physique is whether she stays in the mix. Monica Labriola may not be the tallest competitor on stage but she can hang with the best of them. Gen Strobo will look to get back into the winner’s circle and return to the Olympia. She just needs to come in full and not look too hard in the process. Ann Titone has refined her physique over the last few months and positioned herself as a leading lady in this line up. If she brings a similar look as she has in the past count on her being in the top spots. Patty Zariello showed promise in the division last year and could move up from her previous showings if she matches the look she had when turning pro. Jessie Hilgenberg will be one to watch, she stands out with her short blonde hair and as long as her arms and shoulders are too overpowering she could be in the mix.

Swann Cardot and Corinna Booth will look to make their presence known in the pro division. The two will be the rookies on this stage but have the potential to look like seasoned vets if they are at their best.

Follow all the action on twitter with #pittpro and #paPro hashtags.

2013 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Figure
Pittsburgh, PA – May 4, 2013
Dana Ambrose
Summer Bernard
Corinna Booth
Tammy Bravomalo
Swann Cardot
Lauren Cascio
Krista Dunn
Dawn Fernandez
Melissa Frederick
Jessie Hilgenberg
Elizabeth Jenkins
Candice John
Monica Labriola
Amy Pugllise
Julie “DJ” Rengert
Ninamarie Richter
Satrice Rigsby
Agnese Russo
Laurie Schnelle
Danielle Sereluca
Gennifer Strobo
Katerina Tarbox
Ann Titone
Yoko Washington
Tanya Weinle
Sarah Venturini
Patty Zariello

Filed Under: Show Previews

2013 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Bikini Competitors & Hardbody Preview

May 3, 2013 by

The IFBB bikini pros are back on stage this weekend in Pittsburgh. The line-up is a very competitive one and there’s no odds-on favorite for the win, which should make for an interesting show. Who will show up on their game and who will miss the mark?

pitt-pro-bikini

Those of you who follow Hardbody know we’re not going to take the easy route and say everyone looks amazing. Yes, all of these women do look great and that’s why they are pros. When you cut the crap and get down to it, there’s a few physique that stand out from the rest and are ones to watch this weekend.

THE HARDBODY 411
Stacey Alexander made the trip from Cali and tends to be in the mix on the West Coast, will she find similar fortune on the East? Gigi Amurao is always in the top 10 contention and if she brings in slightly smaller legs than Daytona she’ll be a contender. Maria Annunziata finished in the top 5 in Orlando but will need to have a better tan and tighter lower body to match that finish. Ashley Cronly Leblanc found her groove at the end of 2012 and will be on stage for the first time this season. Will she be rested and ready or need to clear out the competition cobwebs?

Yarelis Gonzales has the potential to win this show and be a star in the pro bikini division but will she be in shape? She’s her own worst enemy and being a shorter competitor she needs to come very tight or will way look off. We haven’t seen her since December so who knows what she will bring to the stage. Ashley Kaltwasser has an athletic physique and should be a contender, it’s the little details like hair, make-up and tanning that could hold her back. Pollianna Moss has positioned herself as a contender in every show and if she matches the look she had in Daytona she’ll be in a top spot.

Yeshaira Robles is always a contender and the perfect blend of cute and sexy on stage. Look for her to be in the top spots. Aly Veneno will get a true test this time around. She’s been in the top five her last couple of shows but this is a much tougher line-up. If she’s on point she can hang but any misstep and she’ll be on the outside looking in. Lastly, Nicole Witbeck could be a contender. She’s been competing in a number of shows so it will either help her find her groove or take its toll on her body.

The show takes place on Saturday, May 3, 2013 in Pittsburgh. Follow the hashtag #pittpro on twitter and check back here for updates throughout the weekend.

2013 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Bikini:
Natalie Abrhiem
Stacey Alexander
Gigi Amurao
Maria Annunziata
Kelsie Burgin
Becky Clawson
Ashley Cronley Leblanc
Rachelle Dejean
Lacey DeLuca
Cassandra DuBois
Jennifer Elliott
Heather Gonyea
Yarelis Gonzales
Ashley Kaltwasser
Vladimira Krasova
Michon Leddy
Pollianna Moss
Natalie Pennington
Jessica Renee
Yeshaira Robles
Lynn Sambuco
Melissa Sayles
Anna Starodubtseva
Aly Veneno
Nicole Witbeck

Filed Under: Show Previews

2013 NPC Pittsburgh Championships Show Info

May 3, 2013 by

Jim Manion’s 2013 NPC Pittsburgh Championships will feature bodybuilding, figure, bikini, physique and the IFBB Pro Figure, Bikini and Men’s Physique. This show also features the top male bodybuilders on stage at one time. It’s the only place you’ll see them all outside of the Olympia.

pittsburgh-pro

Scheduled to guest pose are Phil Heath, Jay Cutler, Dexter Jackson, Branch Warren, Kai Greene, Dennis Wolf, Shawn Rhoden and Flex Lewis

WHEN:
Saturday, May 4, 2013

WHERE:
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall – Oakland Section of Pittsburgh

TIME:
Prejudging – 9:00 am
Finals – 6:00 pm

The show is a one day event on Saturday with prejudging in the morning and finals at night. All competitors (pro and amateur) must weih-in/check-in on Friday May 3, 2013.

CONTEST VENUE – SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MEMORIAL HALL – All meetings, weigh-ins and competition take place here.

The contest venue is the SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MEMORIAL HALL in the Oakland Section of Pittsburgh – located at 4141 Fifth Avenue – Pittsburgh, PA 15213 on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh.

FRIDAY, MAY 3 – MANDATORY CHECK-IN/WEIGH-IN FOR ALL NPC COMPETITORS
All Check-ins, Weigh-ins, Meetings and Competitions take place at SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MEMORIAL HALL.

4:00 – 7:00 pm – Mandatory Check-In/Weigh-In – ALL NPC Competitors – NO EXCEPTIONS!

** Mandatory Meeting for IFBB Pro Figure, Pro Bikini and Pro Mens Physique competitors – 5:00 pm

SATURDAY, MAY 4 – PREJUDGING – ALL COMPETITORS
8:00 am – Optional Competitor Meeting for Bodybuilders only.

There will not be a Competitor Meeting for Figure, Bikini and Physique competitors. Figure, Bikini and Men/Women Physique competitors should arrive at 10:00 am.

9:00 am – Prejudging begins. Prejudging will begin with Bodybuilding.

SATURDAY, MAY 4 – FINALS – ALL COMPETITORS
5:15 pm – Optional Competitor Meeting
6:00 pm – Finals begin.
** NOTE!! – The FINALS will begin with Bodybuilding.

TICKETS
Prejudging – $20 – available only at the door – general admission seating

Finals – $40 – reserved seating – purchased in advance.

Follow along via twitter with #NPCPITT, #PITTPRO and #PAPRO.

Filed Under: NPC

Disclaimer: Reader discretion advised, please consult your physician before beginning any exercise or diet program.