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Here are the results from the 2009 IFBBÂ Europa show of Champions.
IFBB Pro Figure Results
1. Nicole Wilkins-Lee
2. Heather Mae French
3. Monica Brant
IFBB Pro Fitness Results
1. Shannon Metraud
2. Miriam Capes
3. Mindi O’Brien
For those interested, here are the Men’s top five
1. Troy Alves
2. Hidetada Yamagishi
3. Darrem Charles
4. Sergey Shelestov
5. Frederic Sauvage
Complete results will come soon…
Wow, long day here in Orlando. I hit the bed about 4:30am after sorting pics and updating things and then up at 7am to make it to the NPC prejudging. The prejudging started a little late and finished about 1:30 East Coast time. It didn’t leave me much time so I am still at the venue. Looking at the clock, the pro finals are set to start in 15 minutes. YIKES.
There were a couple women who were good in bikini and the figure. I’ll post more later but check the twitter account for updates from the night show.
A big shout out to Dean Donlon at the main office of Bodybuilding.com for working with me to get these photos up in a timely manner. You can check out all the prejudging photos here!
I try not to be negative or criticize unjustly but I have to say the lighting at this show absolutely sucked. I’m not sure who set it up or why more attention isn’t given to it but my hope is some changes are made for the night show.
The Europa Super has concluded and the photos are being uploaded to the folks in Boise (bodybuilding.com is where you can see my photos from tonight). I’ll give you my top five predictions and a break down of how I saw it. The fitness isn’t over just yet as the women will be preforming their two minute routines and it counts as 1/4 of the overall score. Going into the night show this is how I see things going down and again, just my opinion.
FITNESS TOP 5 PREDICTIONS:
5. Mindi O’Brien – Mindi I have in fifth for the physique rounds but I have her in second for the 45-second routine. Depending on the scores and how the judges saw it she could be as high as 3rd. I don’t see her placing higher than that but hey stranger things have happened.
4. Erin Riley – Erin is a kick ass performer with a raw, edgy vibe. She’s definitely a rocker when it comes to the routines and I have her in 4th for the routine round. I have her in third for the physique rounds based on how the judges positioned them. Personally, I feel her physique needs to be streamlined a bit. She carries a good deal of muscle and building muscle isn’t her problem. I think her physique needs to come down in size, particularly her back. Get away from the hardcore lifting (which is cool and I dig the power lifting stuff) but not needed at this point. Again, just my opinion.
3. Tina Durkin – Tina I have in second for the physique rounds. She looks a little fuller than she did in New York. It will come down to where she places in the routine rounds. She could be as high as second or as low as 6th in my book. I have her in a solid third going into the final round.
2. Mariam Capes – This Canadian cutie has totally transformed herself from when I saw her first perform at the 2007 Europa Super show in Dallas. I have her in third for the physique rounds and I have her winning the routine round. It’s definitely a battle between her and fellow Canadian, Mindi O’Brien for the 45-second round. Her physique has come a long way in the last two year and her routine shocked the hell out of me. She did a standing backflip like it was no big deal. She held her strength moves as if to add extra emphasis of her abilities.
1. Shannon Meteraud – The fitness momma is back for win number two. I was impressed with Shannon’s 45-second routine and her flexibility. I have her in third for the routine round behind the two Canadian standouts. It was pretty clear the judges have her smack dab in the middle for callouts and will win the physique rounds. Shannon looks to have this one in the bag if she has a solid two-minute routine.
There were some physiques that looks like they belonged as light-weight bodybuilders in the fitness division. There were a couple women who were too skinny or over-dieted, a couple who look like they needed to diet and a few that were middle of the road.
FIGURE TOP 5 PREDICTIONS:
5. Erin Stern – Erin improved her presentation and some of the finer details from the Arnold. She ditched the crown and changed up her heels. She also looked like she stripped a little muscle off since March, not much but a little. I like her physique and I’d put her in the 5th place spot based on callouts. I could see her moving up into a top three spot in a future show.
4. Inga Neverauskaite – We haven’t seen Inga in awhile but she came back looking better than ever. She’s making a run at the top three but I think she is in a solid 4th here. Inga has a good look and I’d have her in third from the read poses but 4th in the front. I’d like to see her compared to 5-7 instead of just the top 3. Great showing by her at this show.
3. Monica Brant – I had Mo in second in the one piece but I have her in third in the two piece. Why? I’m going off from call outs and comparisons. Mo doesn’t have the same detail in her back as the others in the first call out. I could see her getting a few 4th place votes because of it. We’ll see where the judges place her but I see her as high as second or as low as fourth. It looks like Mo will once again not take top honors in a Figure competition.
2. Nicole Wilkins-Lee – She looked great and I have her in a solid second. She might get a couple third place votes but I don’t see her placing any lower than third. Could she win? Anything is possible but I don’t see it this time. You can’t help but continue to look at her when she is on stage. A natural beauty who holds her own in tremendous fashion. A return trip to Vegas (the Olympia) looks like it’s in the cards for Nicole.
1. Heather Mae French – I see Heather winning her first pro show in clear fashion. This is the best I’ve ever seen her look and I’ve seen her compete in a number of shows. YEARS ago Heather was competing in NPC fitness and was a tiny little thang. She’s far from the most muscular but she has added some muscle to her well structured frame and found a winning combination to her conditioning. Heather should take home top honors tomorrow night as well as a qualifcation to compete in the Figure Olympia.
A few random figure thoughts…
Candice Keene is close to a top 5 finish and looked good. She could hold her own in a top five position in future shows. I have her in 6th or 7th. Valerie Haines was at her all time best and will be in the 6-9 spot. I would have liked to see her suit fit a bit different from behind to show her booty and hips a bit better. Great symmetry and she really shined in the two piece. Rachel Cammon had a solid debut and will land in the top 10. She too looked better in her two piece. I would have liked to see her just a bit fuller and if she enjoyed a little meal tonight, she will end up doing just that tomorrow night. No offense to the other women in the second callouts in both 1 and 2 piece rounds but I didn’t see them in those spots. The top five I don’t have much argument with beyond the 6-8 spots it starts to become a toss up. Natalie Waples making her debut seemed better suited for the bikini division as she looked smallish next to the other women. She has a great physique but just not the same level of muscle the others have. Hopefully, the pros will adapt the NPC rule change and just go with the 2 piece as the physiques can’t hide and most of the women looked better in them tonight.
Some women looked like they should hang up the suit and call it a day. Now it’s not my place to say when anyone should stop competing but some of the women’s physiques left me wondering how they turned pro. Overall though it was a solid line-up and a presentable top three heading to the Figure Olympia.
The Orlando Pro show will begin at 7pm Eastern Standard time. The IFBB pros will take the stage tonight starting with the Figure one piece. The schedule is set to be…
Figure 1 Piece
Fitness 2 Piece
Pro Men Bodybuilding
Fitness 1 Piece
Figure 2 Piece
Fitness 45 Second Routines
The competitors are putting on their last coats of tan and will take to the stage soon. Follow all the action on TWITTER at… twitter.com/hardbodynews. If you’re not part of twitter, watch the box on the right hand side of this column for twitter updates.
All the action begins today here in Orlando. Thankfully I made it out of Denver, Colorado yesterday as a monster snowstorm is hitting the Mile High city. That’s not the case here in sunny Florida. I’m in the second host hotel, Renaissance at SeaWorld and it’s a nice hotel. Very large, open areas to eat and mingle on the main level. The rooms are large, clean and comfortable. The room has a refrigerator which is nice, especially for the competitors staying here. It was a short, easy drive to get to the hotel from the airport/rental car facility. Last night, myself and a couple of colleagues grabbed a bite to eat at a great Cuban restaurant which is walking distance from the venue/convention center. The food was amazing and it too was easy to get to from the hotel.
Thus far, everything is running smoothly and is on the right track. The pros will check-in this morning at 11 and prejudging is set to begin tonight at 7pm. I’m squeezing in a few photo shoots with a variety of women throughout the weekend. Right now it’s off to shoot with top NPC figure competitor, Jenny Lewis. Jenny will be competing later this year at the NPC JR. Nationals where she has her sights set on an IFBB Pro card.
Stay tuned for more updates and follow tonight’s prejudging action on twitter… twitter.com/hardbodynews
NPC Bikini competitor, Jessica Anderson is one to watch! This Florida beauty is one for one in NPC bikini competitions and looking for win number two this weekend in Orlando. I caught up with her as she heads into this weekend’s events and she shares a bit about herself.
Reside:
Jacksonville, FL
Occupation:
US Navy Corpsman
Number of times competing?
Only once so far! I won my division in Women’s tall Bikini and went on to win overall in women’s bikini in the Jacksonville Physique sponsored by Dexter Jackson and Premier Physiques.
How often do you work out?
It really depends on what I’m training for and what my goals are. Usually about 3-4 times a day if I’m about to compete. But when I’m not doing a show, around twice a day. Cardio in the AM and I lift in the PM.
What’s your favorite body part to train?
My arms.
Do you take long walks on the beach?
Haha, how about a long run on the beach?
Let me get back to you on that.
Have you ever been fishing in the dark?
Actually YES I honestly can say I have! My parents own a house off a canal next to the Gulf of Mexico. So before I joined the Navy back in High school,my friend and I would sit on the dock and sometimes have fishing contests to see who catch the most fish!
What made you decide to compete in NPC Bikini?
Well, honestly I started out wanting to compete in Figure. But after Dexter and Gale suggested competing in Bikini I thought “why not!?” I think eventually I will consider crossing over into to wonderful world of Figure because I truly admire the athleticism behind it and not to mention that level of muscularity is so beautiful to me. But I have plenty of time to cross that road! I’m excited to compete in Bikini because it’s new, fun, and something I’ve never done before! What more could you ask for?
Check back next week to see photos from our photo shoot in Florida!
Those of you who want to follow the action in Orlando over the weekend but unable to make the trip, be sure to follow us on twitter. We’ll be providing news, gossip, show coverage and more.
IFBBpro.com has posted photos from last weekend’s New York Pro Fitness. Check out the one-piece photos here.
Holy smokes kids, this is one stacked line-up in the female world of the IFBB. Fifteen Fitness pros and twenty-eight Figure Pros will take the stage in Orlando, Florida this weekend. Here are your official competitor lists as of today.
IFBB Fitness:
Maggie Blanchard
Jessica Booth-Palmer
Myriam Capes
Shannon Dey
Tina Durkin
Melissa Frederick
Ryall Graber
Liza Hughes
Donna Jones
Shannon Meteraud
Leslie Rae Newton
Mindi O’Brien
Mandy Polk
Erin Riley
Siene Silva
IFBB Figure:
Aymara Bernardo
Monica Brant
Deanne Brown
Natalie Calland
Rachel Cammon
Heather Mae French
Brandie Gardner
Valerie Haines
Lisbeth Halikka
Alana Hernandez
Catherine Holland
Ines Jimenez
Candice Keene
Cea Anna Kerr
Amy Lee Martin
Petra Mertl
Jennifer Migliacci
Hazal Nelson-Etiz
Inga Neverauskaite
Kristin Nunn
Nicole Pitcher-Scott
Marcy Porter
Erin Stern
Laura Sutter
Shelly Taucher
Natalie Waples
Nicole Wilkins-Lee
Karen Williams
Good luck picking the winners of this one. If anyone can correctly pick the top 5 (in exact order) in Figure I will fork over $100. Picking a winner, much less the top five in these lineups is like finding a needle in a haystack. There are a number of women making their pro debuts in the figure division along with some seasoned vets. Who do you like in this group?
Those of you who followed the NY Pro Fitness over the weekend saw Stacy McDowell (formerly Simons) in one round of action. Stacy competed in the one-piece round but didn’t make it back for any other comparisons. I received a call from Stacy yesterday and she shared the news around what happened at the show and her future plans.
During last weekend’s NY Pro Fitness, Stacy experienced extreme pain in her lower back which prevented her from continuing in the competition. She felt the pain while being compared in the first round of the competition. After the first round she tried to stretch it out and fight through it but it wasn’t meant to be. This wasn’t how Stacy wanted to go out but there comes a point in time when you have to listen to your body. Unfortunately for Stacy, that time arrived in the middle of the show. Years of gymnastics and competitive diving has taken it’s toll on her body. The pain her back was too much to bare and forced her to withdraw from the competition.
Stacy achieved IFBB pro status at the 1997 NPC Nationals. Throughout her twelve year career she found the highest success in the European shows. Twice Stacy won the European Pro Fitness Cup (2003 & 2004). She was runner-up at the 2005 Europa Super show and competed in last year’s Fitness Olympia. Stacy not only qualified numerous times for the Fitness Olympia but she was also invited to the prestigious Fitness International on several occasions. She’s probably best known for her incredible and freaky flexibility.
What’s next for Stacy? She tells me while a little disappointed that her competitive career is over she will stay involved in the fitness industry. She currently helps prep & train women for shows and says that’s more nerve wracking than competing herself. Recently married (hence the name change), her husband isn’t complaining about the end of dieting and training. Nope. She can no longer use the “I’m too tired” excuse when he asks for some McLove’n.
Congratulations on all your success Stacy. All the best in the next chapter in your life. Your freakish flexibility routines and bubbly smile will be missed on the pro stage.
Stacy at the 2007 West Palm Beach Pro, where she placed third and qualified for the Fitness Olympia.
Check out the photos on FLEXonline.com from the NY Pro Fitness.
Davana Medina, the first IFBB Figure Olympian, and Jenny Lynn the second, were in attendance at the NY PRO Fitness event. J.M. Manion caught up with the two for a photo opportunity and I can’t say I blame him. Davana looks like she could compete now and Jenny is back on track after last year’s setback.
Will we see Davana back on stage? Hmmm… We’ll have to wait and see.
IFBB Figure Pro Natalie Waples will be making her pro debut this weekend in Orlando. Natalie turned pro last fall at the North American, one of the few shows Canadian residence can compete and reach IFBB pro status. I caught up with the Canadian Figure competitor today and here’s what she had to say…
What have you worked on since turning pro last fall?
In terms of training I have been working hard at gaining some size in my back and delts (I naturally have very narrow shoulders so developing my delts have always been a challenge). On the promtion side of things I have signed an agreement to promote Florida-based True Healthy Products and have also been spearheading the Serious About Fitness Fit Camps in Canada. I have also been shooting regualrly with Oxygen Magazine and working on my website.
What do you feel separates you from the other rookies as well as veterans in the Orlando show?
I have really tried to differentiate myself from other competitors in that I produce my own training DVDs, run several fitness camps, do promtional work for various sponsors and magazines (Oxygen, Inside Fitness, MuscleMag) and also offer consulation services and posing clinics for clients/competitors in Ontario, Canada. I feel this experience has really helped me to become a well rounded competitor in my understanding of the industry and helping others achieve their fitness goals. Plus, I’m Canadian eh!
That last line sums things up. LOL! Say no more. Okay just kidding Canada.
Do you feel it’s a challenge getting any love in the states being from Canada?
This will be my fourth show in the US (I’ve competed twice at the North Americans and also once at the Arnold Amateur) and have consistently been well received by the judges, so if I can gain some exposure south of the border, and meet more fellow competitors, I don’t see it being an issue. Plus I have my coach Doug Schneider, fitness pro Mindi O’Brien and some friends from Canada all at this show, so I will definitely be keeping my eye out for them in the crowd.
What’s your goal as an IFBB Pro – not just this show but in general?
I would like to use my professional status to help promote the companies I work with (Interactive Nutrition, Natural Nutrition and True Healthy Products), as well as the Serious About Fitness Fit Camps. My next goal is to qualify for the Olympia and make the most out of my time on stage and the whole competitive experience. I love competing!
Can we expect to see you compete in any other shows?
I will be attending both the California and NYC Pro shows as well as one other this year (depenedent on how the Spring shows go). I know that is a tall order but I plan on making the most out of my rookie year.
When someone says Natalie Waples – what do you want them to think of or be known for?
I hope to promote a healthy, natural, athletic image and for fitness enthusiasts to feel comfortable approaching me with their questions. I am going to ride this wave as long as I can, and have fun doing it.
Thanks Natalie and best of luck in your debut.
Thanks Isaac!
The Orlando Show of Champions will take place this weekend in Orlando, Florida. Stay tuned for more updates and interviews this week.
The full results are in and a look at the scorecard shows this event was all over the place. You had Bethany Wagner winning the Round 1with straight ones and fell to sixth in the 2 round. Shannon Meteraud was second in the 1st Round and first in the 2nd Round. Trish Warren unanimously won the 45-second round which really launched her into contention. Stephanie Irick won the 2-minute routine round in similar fashion but it wasn’t enough to move her beyond seventh. Ultimately, the veteran Meteraud prevailed by having the most consistent scores. This is one of the more bizarre set of scores I’ve seen as you have women up and down and all around in their scores. It looks like Bethany Wagner and Myriam Capes dropped dramatically in the routine rounds and cost them in the end.
NY PRO FITNESS RESULTS
1. Shannon Meteraud
2. Trish Warren
3. Tina Durkin
4. Nicole Wilkins-Lee
5. Myriam Capes
6. Erin Riley
7. Stephanie Irick
8. Bethany Wagner
9. Shannon Dey
10. Maggie Blanchard
11. Ryall Graber
12. Donna Jones
Shannon Meteraud wins in the Big Apple. Second was Trish Warren and third Tina Durkin. We’ll have full results and more info soon. Congrats Shannon.
I’ve been informed that 3-4 of the women missed their mandatory moves or performed the mandatory moves out of order. You will see this reflected in the scores from the routine round. Should be interesting to see who benefits and who gets hurt by this.
Stay tuned for more NY Pro Fitness updates.
After the physique rounds as well as the 45-second round, our East Coast Correspondents have it going…
1. Shannon Meteraud
2. Bethany Wagner
3. Nicole Wilkins
4. Tina Durkin
5. Mariam Capes
6. Trish Warren
I’m not at the event and pictures can only tell so much. Based on the photos alone, I’d give the physique rounds to Bethany Wagner. She has improved her physique in a big way since we last saw her. We’ll see how the women fair in their two-minute routines tonight. Who will take the top 3 spots and qualify for the Olympia? We’ll know in a few hours.
After the two piece round, the top six look to be…
Meteraud
Wagner
Capes
Warren
Wilkins-Lee
Durkin
The top three in the one-piece physique rounds looedk to be Shannon Meteraud, Tina Durkin and Bethany Wagner. Durkin was knocked down in the two-piece. I’m told by a few that she was too small and not full enough. Capes usually has a great routine, which could launch her into top three contention if the scoring is close in the physique rounds. Nicole’s lower body, in particular her quads are over-powering her upper body and keeping her out of the top three spots in the physique rounds. The women will perform their 45-second routines next and then come back later tonight for the 2 minute routines and the finals.
Check back for more later.
Live from the Big Apple, Hardbody has ya covered on all the action. Our East Coast correspondents tell me that the top call-out in the one piece are:
Wilkins-Lee
Meteraud
Durkin
Warren
Capes
Wagner
They give Meteraud the nod in this round. Check back for more updates as they happen.
Shan-na-na, Shan-na-na, HEY HEY HEY Goodbye… Hold up. Wait a minute. Shannon Meteraud may be a veteran to the stage but don’t start singing her goodbyes just yet. She placed sixth at the Fitness International and is looking to take home top honors in the NY PRO Fitness. I caught up with Shannon as she heads into the Big Apple.
What have you worked on since the Arnold?
Trying to keep my sanity!!!!! Actually, just been doing the same ole thing. I was happy how the Arnold went, so we just kept pluggin’ away. Same ole hours of cardio and those wonderful days of routine practice!
Were you surprised to you qualified for the Olympia?
I wouldn’t say surprised. My goal was to make top 6 so I was thrilled with that accomplishment. Getting the “O” qualification out of the way was just a bonus.
Has it been hard staying on a diet since the Arnold?
YES! I have my 2 girls and it’s Easter time so there is a ton of candy floating around the house. I had to make Easter Bunny frosted cookies for my daughters Easter party and not lick my fingers I’ve been dieting since November! Orange Roughy and asparagus just aren’t cutting it., but I’m hangin in there.
What’s the goal for the NY Pro Show?
Well you know everybody always trains to win so of course that is my goal!
How’s the hip or is it the knee, whatever fragile bone that gave out last year? Kidding but seriously how is your knee?
Actually Dear Isaac, it’s my knee/leg. I broke my tibia, bruised my patella tendon, and partially tore my ACL. And let me point out that all the YOUNG chickies are tearing ACLs left and right. Anyway, it’s doing fine thanks for asking. I feel it from time to time, but don’t put me out to pasture yet.
Thanks Shannon and good luck in NYC!
IFBB Pro Nicole Wilkins-Lee is heating things up on and off the stage. She competed at the Fitness International, shot with FLEX magazine for their annual swimsuit issue and is headed to the Big Apple in hopes of qualifying for the Olympia. WHEW! Check out what Nicole had to share days out from tomorrow’s New York Pro Fitness.
How’s it feel to no longer be a rookie in fitness?
It feels great! Each year I learn more about myself and have a better idea of what to expect against the best girls in the world. I am much more comfortable onstage although I still get butterflies just before I walk out!
Did you enjoy competing in fitness over figure at the Arnold?
You know that I am going to say that I love them both! What an honor just to be on the Arnold stage. I love the competition but nothing can beat the rush of performing a fitness routine in front of a huge crowd.
What have you worked on since the Arnold?
I will be coming into NY about 3-4lbs leaner and we added a few parts to my two minute routine to speed it up a bit. I feel great and right where I need to be. NY has been good to me in the past 🙂
Nicole turned pro at the Team Universe by winning the overall fitness AND overall figure there.
Fav supplement to use while dieting?
Whey protein and Glutamine
Goal for the NY Pro?
TO WIN! I’m not gonna lie! I train to win and I want that Olympia qualification again.
Life of a married woman any different than the single life?
Alan and I have been together for 6 years and he has been with me from the very beginning of my career. He is a huge support and comes with me to every show. It is nice to be with someone who understands and enjoys the fitness lifestyle. We own a business together and I couldn’t imagine my life without him! He’s awesome ♥
Did you give Adam Sandler any training tips?
Haha! He was such a nice guy! But to be honest I think he was more interested in Jay Cutler than us girls. He approached Jay first and was congratulating him on his accomplishments and we were all standing there with our mouths open! Holy crap! He was like a foot away from us! Jess, Erin and I asked if we could take our pic with him and he was totally down to earth. He looked like he was wearing pjs though – I guess when you are the Sandman you can do whatever you want right!?
Word is that you’ll be doing figure in Orlando – right?
Yep – I’m going for a double qualification again 😉 I need to get the heck out of the snow here in Michigan!
Kick some butt in NYC Nicole.
I caught up with IFBB Fitness Pro Tina Durkin days out from the NY PRO Fitness competition. Check out what the rising fitness star had to say.
Currently live in: Alexandria, VA (Originally From Ohio)
You’re a mom right, how many children do you have? One (Evelyn-5)
What’s your occupation besides a pro fitness competitor? Personal Trainer/US Air Force Reserves, E-6 is my rank
How did you get into competing? I watched Ms. Fitness on ESPN back in HS and said “I can do that”… it just took me 12 years the guts to try. I then started in WTF to warm up. I actually attended Jenny’s PHAT camp and she told me about Mike Davies. He basically had to talk me into trying a NPC show… and well you know the rest. I met Mike in 2006.
What did you do different this year from year’s past to improve your physique? DIET DIET DIET… LOL! I actually feel like I’m stronger now that I’ve had back surgery. I’m more careful working out now but I’m able to do so much more. My back problem did not happen overnight so I’m sure it kept me from performing my best in the past.
Favorite supplement while prepping for a show? REDLINE RTD
Goals for New York Pro Fitness? Hey, I’m in it to win it!!!! No really, I just wanted to get my name back out there and have fun. I would like to clean up my routine and work on my stage presence. I feel a little rusty being off a year.
Socks with Sandles or no socks? OMG… †if you wear socks with sandles I would kill you!!! (So NO WAY)
Good luck in New York Tina!
FLEXonline.com is reporting that the prize money has been increased for this year’s Olympia contest.
“The partnership between AMI and the IFBB Pro League is obviously working in the direction, as David Pecker and Ben Weider promised, to make the Olympia the best contest in the world,” IFBB Professional League Chairman Jim Manion said. “They are giving more back to the bodybuilders than anyone ever has. All the female competitors should be happy because the increased prize money makes everybody even across the board. The IFBB professional League is happy to be working with AMI in such a positive relationship as we continue to move bodybuilding forward in honor of Ben Weider.”
The IFBB New York Pro Fitness will take place this Saturday in New York, NY. Thirteen women will head to the Big Apple in search of victory. My predictions for this show are below. As always, this is intended to be in good fun and not taken personally. I don’t know how any of these women will look come showtime and if their routines will rock the house or not. The top three qualify for the Fitness Olympia.
1. Tina Durkin – If Tina shows up looking like she did at the Arnold this show is hers. She’s been a bit under the weather but if she’s able to come in healthy I see her notching her first pro win. Her physique at the Arnold was the best we’ve seen on her and her routines have greatly improved.
2. Shannon Meteraud – The granny of the group still has some gas in the tank. The veteran returned to the Arnold stage and placed sixth. The pressure is off Shannon to qualify for the Olympia, since her Arnold placing took care of that. If Durkin isn’t at her best, Shannon could find herself in the winner’s circle. Don’t be surprised if Shannon does find the top spot in this show and sends Durkin to the brides-maid position.
3. Nicole Wilkins-Lee – Nicole has all the tools to be the future of fitness. If she comes in a bit tighter than she did at the Arnold she will be in the mix for victory here. She’s still young and her muscles are maturing but I like the look she brings to the fitness stage.
4. Trish Warren – Trish will hold her own in the physique rounds at this show and if she can stay in the mix in the routine rounds she could qualify for the Olympia by slipping into the top three. It won’t be easy but she’s done it before. It will all come down to how well she performs her routine as to whether the top three are in the cards for her.
5. Erin Riley – Erin brings a ton of raw energy to the stage with her routines and will have the advantage of not traveling far to compete. You saw some of her insane training in the weeks leading up to the Arnold, if you haven’t check them out here. If I were Erin, I’d avoid the heavy lifting and strongman type of training. She carries a great deal of muscle and has a tremendous back, however a more stream-lined look would suit her better. The routine rounds she’ll do better than the physique rounds, it’s just a matter of where.
Wild Card: Myriam Capes has come a long ways in the last two years with her physique. She has an incredible routine and if she comes in conditioned she could challenge for a top five spot. She certainly will hold her own in the routine rounds.
Visit IFBBpro.com for the complete competitor list for this event. What do you think? Who do you have in your top three?
Need to refresh your desktop? Check out the new wallpapers on Bodybuilding.com. This image of Oksana Grishina was shot 5 weeks before the Arnold Classic.
The NPC JR USA will return to Charleston, South Carolina once again on May 23rd. There has been a little bit of confusion surrounding the date. The original date was May 9th. Please note that the date is May 23rd. This will be the first National NPC Bikini contest of the year. For more information visit: www.npcjrusa.com
The IFBB Pro fitness ladies return to the stage on April 11, 2009. The New York Pro Fitness returns to the Tribecca Performing Arts Center in New York, NY. The NPC show has been named after long-time NPC contributor, Steve Stone.
The pro competitor list is posted at IFBBpro.com.
• Tina Durkin
• Ryall Graber
• Stephanie Irick
• Donna Jones
• Nicole Wilkins-Lee
The competitive season is back in full swing and there’s a show every weekend somewhere. Today’s photo of the day is of IFBB Figure Pro Alicia “Smiley” Harris. Alicia will be making her pro debut at the California Pro in May. This shot was taken last summer in Las Vegas. Look for Smiley to make a name for herself in the pro ranks this year.
Check out some of the Hardbody women posing with one of the music industry’s biggest stars, 50 cent. 50 cent is rumored to be starting his own supplement line. He’s made millions from endorsing Vitamin Water and is a savvy businessman, so I wouldn’t be shocked to see something from him soon.
Check out more photos of 50 cent and the Arnold Expo on FLEXonline.com.
