The 2014 IFBB Orlando Pro Europa Show of Champions Bikini competition has a solid line-up with no clear cut winner. Despite there not being any one odds-on favorite to take top honors there are a few likely candidates to be in the mix for the win. Last year, Courtney King was the winner and the year before that went to Nathalia Melo. It’s safe to say the winner of this show will be in good company with the Orlando Pro title to her competitive resume.
THE HARDBODY 411:
Sarah LeBlanc is coming off her first win as a pro. She took top honors at the St. Louis Pro last month and could likely be the one to beat in this contest. She brings a nicely balanced physique and presents with confidence which has consistently put her in the top five throughout her pro career. Stephanie Mahoe will look to upset LeBlanc’s run at two in a row. She’s coming off a second place finish at the Battle on the Beach. Dayna Maleton has one of my favorite physiques in the division as it has a nice balance of muscle without being too much. When she doesn’t over think her posing and actually smiles, she lights up the stage. She should be in the top callout if she doesn’t scowl at the judges. Lacey Deluca will compete for the first time this year and has been consistently in the top spots her last few shows. Once she changed up her training and nutrition she presented a more balanced physique. If her booty is in check and she brings a tighter lower half she’ll be in the top spots.
Jessica Arevalo will travel across the country for this show and if the long flight doesn’t get to her she’ll be in the mix for the top five. She tends to fair a bit better outside of her home stage of California so she’ll be one to watch. Yarishna has a nice look but will likely be too muscular in her legs compared to the others in this group. Jennifer Dawn found success early in the division and fought to get back into the mix her last few outings. We’ll have to see how she stacked up in this line-up. Candyce Graham has a great physique but we haven’t seen her on stage in over a year. How will the time off effect her? If she’s in shape she could be in the hunt. She just can’t “angry pose” when she takes the stage. Lisette Howard could also be in the mix for the top spots as she was in the mix at her pro debut just a couple weeks ago. Michelle Lewin wasn’t at her best at the Battle on the Beach and dropped to 9th. She’ll look to get back into the top five at this show. This will be her third show as a pro. Ashley Pfaff has a good look and if she comes in a bit tighter than she was in Cali she’ll move up. Jessica Renee also has a good look and just needs a bit tighter conditioning in the lower body to hang in the top three.
Taylor Gallagher will be making her pro debut and it will be interesting to see what she brings to the stage. She’s been wrestling in Tampa and the last time she was on a bikini stage was at the 2009 Nationals. Jade Carroll will also be making her pro debut after achieving pro status at last year’s NPC Nationals.
2014 IFBB Orlando Europa Show of Champions Bikini:
1. Jessica Arevalo
2. Yarishna Ayala
3. Stefanie Bambrough
4. Taylor Jade Carroll
5. Nicole Coleman
6. Jennifer Dawn
7. Lacey Deluca
8. Taylor Gallagher
9. Candyce Graham
10. Lisette Howard
11. Sarah LeBlanc
12. Michelle Lewin
13. Stephanie Mahoe
14. Dayna Maleton
15. Bernadett Matassa
16. Ashley Pfaff
18. Jessica Renee
PRIZE MONEY:
Total Purse – $8,000
1st – $4,000
2nd – $2,500
3rd – $1,500
SCHEDULE:
Thursday
Pro Meeting / check-in
7pm – Host hotel
Friday
Prejudging
2:30pm – Main Stage – Convention Center South Hall A
Saturday
Finals
3:30pm – Main Stage – Convention Center South Hall A
Host Hotel:
ROSEN CENTRE HOTEL ORLANDO
9840 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
Venue:
Orange County Convention Center – South Hall A
9800 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32810
(across the street from the official contest hotel)
For more information visit EuropaExpo.com. Use #ORLANDOPRO for all your social media related to this event.
