The 2013 IFBB Valenti Gold Cup was the final opportunity for pro Bikini and Men’s Physique competitors to qualify for the Olympia. The Figure division has one more show before the field is set. The second year Sarasota show offered more prize money to the women than the men, which is a unique and welcome change from the norm. Erin Stern entered the show as the odds-on favorite to win and delivered. The two-time Figure Olympia champ won in unanimous fashion over a competitive field.
Kamla Macko finished in second and rounding out the top three was Trinidad’s Candice John. Macko debuted at this show last year and held her own once again in her second pro season. Candice John has been up and down in her placings but she’s steadily improved over her last two shows. Kim Sheppard took home fourth place and fifth went to Agnese Russo. Agnese and Kim have both improved their physiques and posing over the course of this season.
The current Figure Olympia point standings with one show to have the top four women locked in. Mathmatically the four women in sixth could get in if they were to finish in fourth or higher at next week’s Tournament of Champions. Fourth place is 2 points, 3rd is three points and 2nd offers 4 points. If Victoria Adelus, Natalia Revajova Lenartova, Kim Sheppard or Candice John finish in the top four they will lock in the fifth spot. I’ve been told that Aleisha Hart does not plan to compete at this time.
OLYMPIA POINT SERIES STANDINGS with ONE SHOW TO GO:
1. Kamla Macko 16
2. Natalie Waples 13
2. Swann Cardot 13
2. Allison Frahn 13
5. Aleisha Hart 9
6. Victoria Adelus 7
6. Natalia Revajova Lenartova 7
6. Kimberly Sheppard 7
6. Candice John 7
2013 IFBB Valenti Gold Cup Figure Results:
1. Erin Stern
2. Kamla Macko
3. Candice John
4. Kim Sheppard
5. Agnese Russo
6. Kat Ramirez
7. Bernita Stuckey
8. Holly Beck
9. Kiana Phi
10. Danielle Sereluca
11. Rebecca Schubeck
12. Heather Nappi
13. Melissa Smith
14. Jennifer Brown
15. Margarita Charaim
16. Eleni Kritkopoulou
16. Kristina Rojas
16. Jennifer Taylor
The Bikini competition was one that had many people who follow the division watching very closely. There were a few scenarios that could help or bump women in the point standings and at when the dust settled it left Noemi Olah in the winner’s circle. Noemi was in the mix for the point series however she removed herself from the list by winning her second pro show. Noemi’s first victory came in her debut at the 2012 Detroit Pro. The Hungarian beauty has improved her physique and a welcome addition to the Olympia line-up. Florida’s own Brittany Tacy edged out Gigi Amurao by one point for the runner-up spot. Despite the second place finish, Brittany will not make it to the Olympia stage this year. Gigi however locked in enough points with her third place finish to compete at the Olympia next month. Newcomer Carolina Silva finished in fourth, her second top five finish in as many shows. Sarah LeBlanc followed up her top five finish at the St. Louis pro with the fifth place spot here.
FINAL OLYMPIA POINT SERIES STANDINGS:
1. Lacey DeLuca – 14
2. Tiffany Marie Boydston – 13
2. Jessica Arevalo – 13
2. Tawna Eubanks – 13
2. Gigi Amurao – 13
2013 IFBB Valenti Gold Cup Bikini Results:
1. Noemi Olah
2. Brittany Tacy
3. Gigi Amurao
4. Carolina Silva
5. Sarah LeBlanc
6. Stephanie Mahoe
7. Yarisha Ayala Otero
8. Sana Shah
9. Simone Sinclaire
10. Bernadett Matassa
11. Joanne Holden
12. Maria Chase
13. Danielle Carr
14. Angeles Burke
15. Michelle Johnson
16. Kamilah Powell
Congratulations to all the women who competed in this show and achieved their goals. Best of luck to those heading to the Tournament of Champions next week in California. One more show to go before the big one in Las Vegas.
