The prejudging portion of the 2014 IFBB Greater Gulf States has concluded and it looks like the competition is close in both the Women’s Physique and Bikini divisions.
Karina Nascimento looks poised for her first win of the year in the women’s physique division. She’s currently not qualified for the Olympia and has 3 points in the Olympia Point Series. If she should finish in second she would receive four points and would be tied for third in the series. Based on how things looked at the prejudging though she is your likely champion. Tamee Marie is fresh off a win at the Omaha Pro and is giving Karina a run for her money. It looks like the judges may put her in the runner-up position. There’s no pressure but certainly bragging rights on the line. Tamee’s win in Omaha qualified her for the Olympia in September. Rounding out the top three will most likely be Leila Thompson. She was the 2013 overall NPC JR USA winner and has yet to crack the top 10 as a pro. Her last appearance was the Optimum Classic earlier this year where she finished 16th. A third place finish would be a huge improvement for her.
The Bikini division shaped up to be the defending champ, Amanda Latona versus Sarah LeBlanc. Sarah looks to be Amanda’s biggest threat for the top spot as the two were compared next to each other and smack dab in the middle of the stage. That doesn’t always mean they are your winners but in this case it’s highly likely they are your top two. They presented similar looks today. They both have dark brown hair and were wearing a red suit. So who will win it? We’ll find out later tonight.
Two newcomers shook things up in the top spots. Jenee Leger in just her second pro show should finish in the top spots and rightfully so. Fresh off her win at the 2014 NPC JR NATIONALS, Brittany Taylor made an immediate impact. She wasn’t on the original competitors’ list and someone many may have overlooked the rookie. She appears poised to finish in the top four in her pro debut, just one week after turning pro.
The finals take place tonight at 6:30pm. Thanks to Mark Mason for the photos.
