The Tournament of Champions better known as the TOC is the last chance for the women of the IFBB Figure division to qualify for the Olympia. Win and you’re in. Those who finish in second through fifth collect points but for most women the points won’t matter however for a few they will should they come up just short of winning. The action takes place on Saturday, September 7th in Culver City, California.
The HARDBODY 411:
The top four spots are set for through the Olympia point series. Kamla Macko is the top seed in the points and is in the Olympia. There’s a three-way tie for second between Natalie Waples, Swann Cardot and Allison Frahn. Those three women are also in the Olympia because mathematically no one else can tie them (13 points). Aleisha Hart is currently in fifth place with 9 points, reports are that she will not be competing in the TOC or the Olympia should she remain in 5th place. That leaves a few women with the opportunity to head to the Olympia should they not win but finish in the top spots.
Victoria Adelus, Candice John and Kim Sheppard are all tied for 6th place with seven points. They need to finish in fourth place (2 points) or higher in order to knock Hart out of the fifth spot. Which ever woman finishes higher, if in the top four, will qualify and head to the Olympia. Julie Mayer-Hyman has entered the TOC and is a long shot but could get in should she finish in second but only in second because she’s sitting with five points heading into the show. Other women have the points however are not entered in the contest and unless they do between now and Saturday, will not be a factor.
Contenders:
Latorya Watts has two fourth place finishes to her credit since winning the overall NPC USA Figure title. She has a tiny waist, broad shoulders however her hips are a bit narrow which can throw her symmetry off. As a rookie pro, she’s lighting the stage up and becoming a fan favorite. You have to figure she’ll be in the mix. Victoria Adelus has been on a bit of a steak herself. She’s coming off a carer best as a pro with a third place finish at the Tahoe Pro. She landed in fourth a week prior to that at the Dallas Europa. If Victoria can bring a similar look as she has to those shows she’ll be in the mix. Candice John has also been moving up in her placings as the season progresses. She was outside the pack against some of these women in Tahoe but moved up into third behind Macko and Stern last week at the Valenti Gold Cup. Candice has the potential and could be a top contender here. Julie Mayer-Hyman was second at the Europa pro show and dropped slightly to fifth at the Tahoe Pro. Julie will need a win or a second place finish in order to head to Vegas for the Olympia. She’ll have her work cur out for her but it’s not impossible. Kim Sheppard is another top threat and if her conditioning is on point could a contender.
Dark Horses:
Vicki Dowell debuted in Tahoe with a 13th place finish. If she brings better conditioning she could move up into the top five mix. She has the structure to hold her own in this line-up. Alissa Parker has the muscle and the structure to shake things up in her pro debut. She was second at the NPC Jr. Nationals and took top honors at this year’s Team Universe contest in July.
2013 IFBB Tournament of Champions Pro Figure Line-up:
1. Victoria Adelus
2. Beckie Boddie
3. Sasha Brown
4. Vicki Dowell
5. Karina Grau
6. Candice John
7. Julie Mayer-Hyman
8. Olga Morales
9. Alissa Parker
10. Donna Lisa Rapoza
11. Kim Sheppard
12. Bojana Vasiljevic
13. Latorya Watts
Get photos from the event on Bodybuilding.com and for more information visit musclecontest.com.
