The 2012 Kentucky Muscle Pro is the second to last Pro Figure show of the year. Currently, there are 17 women looking to leave Louisville with an Olympia qualification. Only one will do so and four others will collect points in the Olympia Point Series. The show doesn’t have many “big names” so to speak which will make it a bit more interesting for fans to follow. There are a few likely favorites heading into the show and ones to watch in the mix for a top spot.

Look for Alicia Harris to be the one to beat if she’s in the condition we know she’s capable of achieving. She’s coming off a 4th place finish at the Ft. Lauderdale Cup and has the tendency to do better at the end of the year. She’ll likely be challenged by Ann Titone for the top spot. Ann is coming off a 12th place finish at the Olympia, one spot behind… you guessed it Alicia Harris. Aside from the Olympia, Ann finished in the top five in each of the shows she competed in this year. She took home her first win at the Tampa Pro and if she brings that look to the stage in Kentucky, she could leave the winner. Look for Dana Ambrose to hang in the top spots again after her pro debut in Houston where she finished in third. Krista Dunn will look to move up into the top five after a respectable 9th place finish at her debut in Florida earlier this month. Jessie Hilgenberg will be making her pro debut after achieving pro status at the 2012 NPC USAs. Simone Mack was 15th at the Ft. Lauderdale Cup but look for her to move up at this show and make a run for the top five. Another likely contender for the top spots is Chikondi Mseka. She was fifth at this show last year and has the potential to be in the mix once again.

My dark horse pick to shake things up in the top five is Monica Labriola. She put together an impressive run in the NPC before turning pro at the 2012 North Americans. She’ll be one of the shorter competitors on stage but has tremendous shape and could be in the top spots her first time out. Keep an eye on her to be in the mix.

2012 IFBB Kentucky Pro Muscle Figure:
1. Dana Ambrose
2. Elisha Archibold
3. Daphne Bascom
4. Tivisay Briceno
5. Vicki Counts
6. Krista Dunn
7. Paula Frega
8. Alicia Harris
9. Jessica Hlgenberg
10. Tara Hollingsworth
11. Monica Labriola
12. Simone Mack
13. Chikondi Mseka
14. Tiffany Procopio
15. Bernita Stuckey
16. Ann Titone
17. Rosalind Vanterpool

This show is held in conjunction with the NPC Kentucky Muscle, which tends to have a large turn out. In years past this show runs long and it could be a tiring day depending on how the show is scheduled. Those of you contributing via twitter use #KentuckyMuscle as the hashtag for show coverage.

WHEN: Saturday, November 3, 2012
WHERE: Kentucky International Convention Center
TIME: Prejudging – 10am – Finals- 7pm

 For more information visit: kentuckymuscle.com

This weekend in Sacramento, California marks one of the final shows for the IFBB Pro Bikini division. Surprisingly, there are only 9 women entered in the show. Despite the low numbers it won’t stop the top spots from being competitive. Amanda Latona is coming off a win at the Border States and will look to collect her second win in a row. She’ll square off against a number of the women she faced in San Diego last week and has to be the favorite in the show.

Amanda went back to what worked last week and it paid off. No wild hair and odd posing like we saw at the Olympia. If Amanda brings the same look to Sacramento she’ll leave the champ once again. She won this show last year and is the one to beat again this year. Tiffany Marie Boydston was in the runner-up position to Amanda and if she can repeat that it will be a win for her. She’s one of the smaller competitors in the line-up and has a look the judges reward. She’ll face a different panel of judges this weekend so we’ll have to see how they place her.  Tawna Eubanks found success on this stage last year when she finished second to Amanda Latona. Don’t be surprised if she is in a similar spot again this year.

Noy Alexander has been competing pretty much all year and shows that when you don’t fall off your nutrition plan you can consistently stay in shape. I like her physique and the look she brings to the stage. She was a bit better in San Diego than she was in Houston and look for her to be in the hunt. Jessica Arevalo continues to improve her stage presence and when she takes the stage with confidence she shines. Look for her to hold her own if she’s able to put the nerves aside and exude the confidence that earned her pro status. It’s been about a year since Theresa Bryne was on stage. She’s only competed in a couple of shows since turning pro so it will be a coin flip on what we’ll see her bring to the stage this weekend. Ashley LeBlanc has a fourth and a fifth place finish to her credit since turning pro at the 2012 NPC USAs. If she can repeat the top five finish again, she’ll add to her Olympia Point Series total. Janelle-Saitone-McGuire has classy stage presence and continues to improve. She doesn’t have the same amount of muscle as some of the other women in this line-up but should be in the mix. Maureen Doherty rounds out the line-up and will look to improve her placing in this her third pro show.

2012 IFBB Sacramento Pro Bikini:
1. Noy Alexander
2. Jessica Arevalo
3. Tiffany Marie Boydston
4. Theresa Byrne
5. Maureen Doherty
6. Tawna Eubanks
7. Amanda Latona
8. Ashley LeBlanc
9. Janelle Saitone-McGuire

The competition is held in conjunction with the NPC Sacramento which looks to have over 300 competitors. This show is often a launching pad for competitors heading into the NPC Nationals next week. We’ve seen a number of women do well in Sacramento and go on to achieve pro status at the Nationals. One added benefit of doing this show is getting in front of Sandy Williamson who is the head judge of the IFBB Pro women’s division. As a NPC competitor you can get valuable feedback on what works and what doesn’t in order to make it on the next level.

WHEN: Saturday, November 3, 2012
WHERE: Crest Theater – 1013 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
TIME: Prejudging – 9am – Finals 6PM

More information on tickets and the show visit: spectrumfitnessproductions.com

We’ll be in attendance for this show and using the hashtag #SACPRO for live twitter coverage. Good luck ladies and see you in Sacramento!

While twelve IFBB Pro Bikini competitors will be competing in Prague this weekend, another twelve will be stepping on stage half way across the world in San Diego, California. The line-up is fairly competitive and one woman will leave with a 2013 Olympia qualification and four others picking up points towards an Olympia invite. This will be Jon Lindsay’s second to last show of the year and sure to be a great one. The NPC Border State Classic is a National Qualifying event and held in conjunction with the IFBB Pro Bikini competition.

The Hardbody 411:
The odds-on favorite has to be Amanda Latona to take home top honors. She’s a seasoned veteran to the stage and if she goes back to what works for her in the past she’ll leave the winner. At the Olympia, Amanda switched up her posing and her hair. It may seem like two silly points but when you’re splitting hairs on who wins and who doesn’t the details matter. Noy Alexander has a rock’n Hardbody and while one of the shorter competitors she should match up well next to the others in this line-up. Stacey Alexander always seems to fair a bit better in California than some of the other shows. Look for her to be in the hunt for the top spots. I like the potential of Jessica Arevalo. If she brings a confident, poised presentation to the stage she could catch some other ladies sleeping and move up into the mix. Ashley LeBlanc had a solid debut in Houston and will look to be in the top spots again here. The only thing that stands out with Ashley is her hip twisting pose can often look painful as she exaggerates it to the back and twists so much. Taylor Matheny has one of the best physiques in the division and if she can come in with a flattering suit and nail her presentation, she’ll be in the mix. She’s been  hit or miss with her suits and often times her posing doesn’t flatter her physique. She’s improved but will it be enough to land in the top spots? Janelle Saitone-McGuire will compete in her second pro show and will have to really rock the individual posing presentation to get in the top call-out. She doesn’t have the muscle some of the other women have but does have a nice, classy, polished presentation. Dianna Harbort has a nice physique however it could be a challenge to hang with this line-up. She turned pro at the 2012 Team Universe with a win in the Masters Over 45 division.

2012 IFBB Border States Pro Bikini Competitor List:
Noy Alexander
Stacey Alexander
Jessica Arevalo
Tiffany Marie Boydston
Jennifer Dietrick
Maureen Doherty
Dianna Harbort
Anna Larsson
Amanda Latona
Ashley LeBlanc
Taylor Matheny
Janelle Saitone-McGuire

Ron Avidan will be in attendance covering all the action. If you’re tweeting about this event use #borderStates for the hastag. For more information on the show visit: lindsayproductions.com.

The third annual IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Cup takes place on Saturday, October 20, 2012. Some of the league’s top competitors will take the stage in hopes of qualifying for the Olympia and bragging rights as the Ft. Lauderdale Cup Champion. While the IFBB Pro competition will be one to watch, so will the NPC portion of this event. Some of today’s top pros got their start on this stage. Reigning Bikini Olympia, Nathalia Melo won this show in it’s inaugural year. This is the only all female weekend in the NPC and IFBB. There are slated to be over 150 NPC competitors sharing the stage with nearly 50 pros.

The Hardbody 411:

FITNESS:
This is one stacked line-up and just short of the Olympia and Arnold Sports competition it might be the most competitive of the year. Oksana Grishina has established herself as the one to beat after a runner-up position at the 2012 Olympia and a win at the Arnold Europe last week. She always has a great routine and it will be the physique round that could prove to be her biggest challenge. Bethany Cisternino should take top honors in the physique round and if she can showcase her strength moves in the routine round look for her to be in the top spots. Ryall Graber-Vasani has a great physique and solid routine. The judges haven’t rewarded her as high as I think she should be placing but we’ll see how she fairs here.  Fiona Harris is another competitor that has kind of flown under the judge’s radar but one to watch with loads of potential. Darrian Tissenbaum will be making her pro debut and the pirate routine is always full of non-stop action. Stacy Wright is making a routine after the birth of her first child.  Regiana Da Silva will leave you a bit dizzy just watching her routine as she flies all over the place and has some sick flexibility and strength.

FIGURE:
Candice Lewis is coming off a win at the Houston Pro and has established herself as one of the break out stars this year. She was at her best in Houston and the only question is how will her body hold up? Look for her to be in the top spots and the one to beat. Kamla Macko could give her a run for her money. She put herself on the map with her runner-up placing at the Sarasota Pro, finishing second to the would be Figure Olympia Champ, Erin Stern. Alicia Harris won this show last year and if her conditioning is on point she’ll be in the mix. Smiley Harris should be in the hunt if she’s in shape. Agnese Russo is a bitter of a sleeper pick in this line-up. She made the switch from bikini to Figure and more than held her own last week in Houston. The biggest  factor in this show will be Camala Rodriquez. Camala fared well in the physique round when competing in the Fitness division however her routines were not on the same level as her physique. She wisely made the move to Figure for this show and could be a threat for the title. It will be interesting to see how she compares to the others. Natalie Waples will look to get back in the hunt for a top spot and her placings have been up and down over the course of the year. Patty Zariello will look to move up into the top five after her debut last week where she was just on the outside. Krista Dunn will look to make her presence known in her pro debut. Krista’s biggest challenge will be not looking too conditioned or overly muscular. Dani Ronquilo will also be making her debut after a string of show in the amateur ranks this year. The other x-factor is Candice John. The Trinidad beauty has the potential to be top five and a threat for the top spot.

BIKINI:
The line-up may not be the biggest of the year but it could be one of the most interesting to watch. There’s no “big name” in the show so to speak and by that I mean top five Olympia finisher. The favorites have to be Lacey DeLuca and Yeshaira Robles. The two went head to head in Sarasota and Yeshaira came out on top. Personally, I love Yeshaira’s look and she’s one of the few competitors who has an athletic, toned physique and presents with class. She’s able to be cute and with a flip of the hair she can strike a sexy look. Lacey brings a bit softer physique in the lower body and her biggest challenge will be her lower body compared to her upper. Adriana Hill is another stunning competitor and her biggest challenge is presenting with confidence and not a nervous look. Gigi Amurao is making her debut and has great stage presence, her biggest challenge will be her legs not looking too muscular on stage. Monique Gantt made her debut in Houston last week and without a doubt has one of thee best booties in the IFBB. That being said, it’s her biggest hinderance as well. She’ll be loved for her asset in photoshoots and modeling however the judges will likely tell her it needs to come down in size. If she can pose her backside without it looking too large and in charge she could be in the top five here. Gemmalyna Crosby is up and down in her placings and her biggest downfall, in my opinion, is her orange suit. Orange doesn’t pop on stage and tends to blend in too much with her physique.

Check out photo coverage on NPCnewsonline.com, bodybuilding.com and musculardevelopment.com. If you’re following along or contributing on twitter use the hashtag #FLCUP.

This weekend 15 IFBB Figure pros will take the stage at Jon Lindsay’s Tournament of Champions. This is the last chance for the women to qualify for the Figure Olympia held later this month in Las Vegas. Prejudging begins at 11am California time and finals will kick off at 6:30pm. Check out the competitor list and the Hardbody 411 on who will likely be your leading ladies.

HARDBODY 411
This is a very competitive line up and one that will help determine who gains enough points for the Olympia in the new qualification series and who is left on the outside looking in. The odds-on favorite has to be Teresa Anthony given her recent showings and the improvements she’s made the last couple years. The only way she doesn’t win this show is if she comes in stringy and not full like we’ve seen her in the past. I don’t see that happening. Who is the biggest threat to her for the win? Some would say Allison Frahn given she is the point series leader and that she has faired well in the past at California shows. She was the runner-up at the California Pro and was third at the Governor’s Cup earlier this year. There are two rookies to keep an eye on who I think will shake things up in this line-up. Francine Sablan will be making her pro debut after taking top honors at the NPC USAs in July. She was head and shoulders above the rest at USAs and has the potential to win it all here. Also keep your eye on Mallory Haldeman. Mallory will make the drive from Las Vegas and has the first time jitters out of the way. She finished in second at the Tampa Pro, her pro debut. If she can stay relaxed and hit her poses better she’ll be in the hunt. Her own weak area right now is her back but it shouldn’t hold her back from being in the mix.

Others to watch… Larissa Reis is in the hunt for an Olympia qualification if she snags enough points here. I don’t see her physique matching up as well with this line up as it did at the Dallas Europa. Felicia has the “name” as she’s been at the top of the Figure charts for years, unfortunately I think we’ve seen the best of Felicia already. I could be wrong but she would have to completely transform herself from what we saw in Dallas to be in the hunt here. Kim Sheppard is in the mix for points and has been consistent with her conditioning. She’ll have a tough time breaking into the top three here but if she could finish in the top five it would be a great showing for her. Natalie Waples is also in the hunt for points and is coming off a second place finish in Chicago. Her placings have been sporadic and she could be a contender or on the outside of the top five looking in.

2012 IFBB Tournament of Champions Pro Figure
1. Teresa Anthony (Glen Burnie, Maryland)
2. Melanie Burger (Pleasonton, California)
3. Deborah Denio (Culver City, California)
4. Allison Frahn (Mahway, New Jersey)
5. Mallory Halderman (Las Vegas, Nevada)
6. Erin Harding (British Columbia, Canada)
7. Michelle Krack (British Columbia, Canada)
8. Michele Mayberry (Federal Way, Washington)
9. Olga Maria Morales (Mexico City, Mexico)
10. Larissa Reis (Brazil)
11. Felicia Romero (Chandler, Arizona)
12. Francine Sablan (San Diego, California)
13. Kimberly Sheppard (Katy, Texas)
14. Katerina Tarbox (Warwick, Rhode Island)
15. Natalie Waples (Nova Scotia, Canada)

Ron “The YOGI” Avidan’s Top 5 Picks:
1) Teresa Anthony
2) Francine Sablan
3) Allison Frahn
4) Mallory Haldeman
5) Larissa Reis

Isaac’s Top 5 Picks:
1. Teresa Anthony
2. Mallory Haldeman
3. Francine Sablan
4. Allison Frahn
5. Kimberly Sheppard

For more information visit: musclecontest.com.

The IFBB Figure pros are back in action this weekend at the 2012 IFBB Europa Supershow in Dallas, Texas. Twenty women will take the stage in hopes of earning the right to compete at the 2012 Figure Olympia. None of the women in this competition are currently qualified to compete in the Olympia.

Obviously, all women in the competition are hoping to win and the Olympia qualification however there are a couple women who will look to add to their point total in the IFBB Pro Olympia Qualification Series should they not win. The top five highest point finishers will qualify to compete in the Olympia and currently Alea Suarez is tied with Natalie Waples for second place. If Alea doesn’t win this show look for her to improve her point total and move into first place. Allison Frahn leads the Qualification Point Series but is not competing in this show. Larissa Reis is sitting in 10th place with 3 points but would position herself in the top five if she finishes in fourth or better. Points are assigned to placings… 2nd – 4 Points, 3rd – 3 Points, 4th – 2 Points, 5th – 1 Point.

THE HARDBODY BREAKDOWN:
Look for this show to be a 3 woman race. Felicia Romero takes the stage for the first time this year. She finished 2011 in less than stellar fashion at the Olympia and Sheru Classic. It was obvious her body needed a break and more than likely mentally as well. She’ll be rested but will she be on point her first time out? Don’t bet against her as she’ll be the one to beat at this show. Alea Suarez may have something to say about that though. She was in the runner-up position at the Omaha Pro and finished in third at the Chicago Wings of Strength. Alea has found her groove since switching from Bikini and will likely stand next to Felicia being compared for the win. If she brings the same look and physique she brought to the Omaha night show, she could leave with the win. Larissa Reis will look to return to the Olympia stage and while she often carries a bit more muscle than other competitors she won’t look out of place in this line up. Look for her to be next to Felicia and Alea being compared for the win. I see her finishing in third but we’ll see how she matches up in prejudging. Two rookies will look to shake things up in the top five and could do so. Tatiana Koshman achieved pro status at the 2011 NPC USA by winning the B Class and has exotic good looks and a physique that could put her the top call-out. She’ll need to come in a bit tighter than when she turned pro if she hopes to land in the top spots. If she’s in shape, Essence Monet could join her in the first call-out in her pro debut. Essence is a beautiful woman with great shape however has yet to showcase her fullest potential. She’ll need to come in much tighter than she was when she turned pro at last year’s North Americans. She has the potential and is one to watch in her debut. Laurie Schnelle debuted in 10th place last week at the Tampa Pro and look for her to move up at this show. Michelle Mayberry is all about presentation if she brings a polished, youthful look she’ll be in the mix. She has gone back and forth between Figure and Fitness over her career. Jodie Minear is a bit of an x-factor here. Since turning pro she has yet to find her groove on the pro stage. Jodie finished in 5th at the 2010 Phoenix Pro in her debut but has yet to match that finish. Over the last year her legs seemed to disappear. If she’s brought the wheels back up she’ll be back in the hunt.

2012 IFBB Europa Super Show Dallas Pro Figure
1. Julia Aragon (El Paso, Texas)
2. Tivisay Briceno (Memphis, Tennessee)
3. Clarissa Castaneda (Cozumel, Mexico)
4. Vicki Counts (Calumet City, Illinois)
5. Debbie Fowler (Fort Worth, Texas)
6. Soleivi Hernandez (Houston, Texas)
7. Tatiana Koshman (Spring, Texas)
8. Georgina Lona (Mexico City, Mexico)
9. Michelle Mayberry (Federal Way, Washington)
10. Jodie Minear (Houston, Texas)
11. Essence Monet (Chicago, IL)
12. Olga Maria Morales Gallardo (Mexico City, Mexico)
13. Nuria Novoa (Auckland, New Zealand)
14. Melanie Oberg (Saskatchewan, Canada)
15. Larissa Reis (Brazil)
16. Felicia Romero (Chandler, Arizona)
17. Miriam Sanchez (Lo Pagan, Spain)
18. Laurie Schnelle (Sarasota, Florida)
19. Alea Suarez (Cedar Park, Texas)
20. Katerina Tarbox (Warick, Rhode Island)

Follow along live on twitter with the hashtag #DallasEuropa. Photos will be available throughout the weekend on Bodybuilding.com, NPCNEWSonline.com FLEXonline.com.

Look back – 2011 IFBB Europa Super Show Dallas Figure Results:
1. Ava Cowan (USA)
2. Deena Walsh (USA)
3. Ella Horton (USA)
4. Heather Dees (USA)
5. Jami DeBernard (USA)
6. Alea Suarez (USA)

The 3rd annual IFBB Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Tampa Pro kicks off today and it will be one to remember. Over 100 hardbody men and women will take the stage in hopes of taking home not only bragging rights but also an Olympia qualification. There are a number of competitors making their IFBB Pro debuts and will face off against some seasoned veterans on stage.

The IFBB Pro Prejudging kicks off at high-noon Tampa time and will likely last 2-3 hours. Ticket buying fans will definitely get their money worth at this show. There’s also a NPC event held in conjunction with the pro show and it’s a great opportunity for fans to see both pro and amateur competition on the same stage.

This will mark the first year that the show will be held at the Grand Hyatt Regency Ball Room. The move to hold the event within the hotel will make things much easier for competitors. For more information on the show visit www.pbwproshow.com.

THE HARDBODY BREAKDOWN:

FIGURE
The top five in this line up is anyone’s guess however look for your top three to be Gennifer Strobo, Ann Titone and rookie Mallory Haldeman. Gen and Ann are already qualified for the 2012 Figure Olympia and on paper have to be your leading ladies in the event. Don’t be too shocked if Vegas resident, Mallory Haldeman is in the first call-out and gives both the women a run for their money. She took home top honors at the 2012 NPC JR National Figure Championships and if she can stay relaxed while posing has a chance at taking home another title. Andrea Cantone will look to improve on her Omaha Pro 3rd place finish however it will be a bit more challenging to match or beat it here. Canadian Aleisha Hart will look to collect a few more points in the Olympia Qualification Series. She’s currently tied for 5th with 4 points. Aleisha will need to be at her best ever to take move up in the standings. Tanya Etessam, Kamla Macko and Laurie Schnelle will all be making their pro debuts today. Laurie stands the best chance at joining fellow rookie Haldeman in the top five. Olga Maria Morales Gallardo was 6th at the Cal Pro and has a tremendous upper body, if she can come in full she could be in the top 10 here.

IFBB Figure – Total Purse $6,000
1. Tiffany Archer
2. Stephanie Bambrough
3. Andrea Cantone
4. Clarissa Franshesca Castaneda
5. Tanya Etessam
6. Mallory Haldeman
7. Aleisha Hart
8. Soleivi Hernandez
9. Kamla Macko
10. Olga Maria Morales Gallardo
11. Kiana Phi
12. Tamara Ribeiro-Bailey
13. Laurie Schnelle
14. Gennifer Strobo
15. Ann Titone

BIKINI
The Bikini division will showcase a variety of physiques. You’ll see some women in this line up who pack way too much muscle and others leaving you wondering where the muscle is at. When you look at the lineup as a whole it’s a bit of a cornucopia. Which look will prevail? The one with the most balance. The odds-on favorite has to be Nicole Nagrani. Nicole won this show two years ago, in her pro debut and will look to do so again here. She is the most accomplished competitor in the event. The only other competitor besides Nicole who is qualified for the Olympia is Diana Graham. The two have entirely different physiques however you could see them in the first call-out here. Rookie Adriana Hill has a nice look and could be in the hunt for a top spot in her pro debut. Gemmalyn Crosby will also be making her pro debut. She has a smile that will light up a stage and if her physique is tight on the lower half she could be in the mix. Jemma successfully petitioned for her pro status from her country, the Phillipines. Dayna Maletone has found her groove in the last few shows but has yet to higher than fourth. She could do it here and collect a few more points in the Olympia Series. She currently sits in 5th place with 6 points. The sleeper in this line up is Hungarian competitor Noemi Olah. Noemi is a stunning competitor who will look to return to the Olympia stage. She shocked everyone when she took top honors at the 2010 Detroit Pro, her pro debut. This will be the first time we see her on stage this year and if she can bring a tight lower half look for her to be in the mix. Tamryn Jackson and Agnese Russo are two new names and will be ones to watch what they bring to the stage. The beautiful Marcela Tribin will look to move up from her fifth place finish at the Pittsburgh Pro, where she made her IFBB Pro debut.

IFBB Bikini – Total Purse $3,000
1. Sara Picken Brown
2. Christy Cook
3. Gemmalyn Crosby
4. Diana Graham
5. Adriana Hill
6. Michelle Hutton Trasey
7. Tamryn Jackson
8. Dayna Maleton
9. Bernadett Matassa
10. Nicole Nagrani
11. Noemi Olah
12. Agnese Russo
13. Melissa Sayles
14. Marcela Tribin
15. Kristie Winter Trasey

WOMEN’S BODYBUILDING
This is the deepest line-up we’ve seen in women’s bodybuilding in quite some time. One spot to the Ms. Olympia is up for grabs and none of the 27 competitors are currently qualified. Tazzie Columb wasn’t on the initial competitor list (she was mistakenly mentioned as a women’s physique competitor) however is in the show. She has the highest Olympia Series point total of the group so if she misses out on the top spot, she’ll hope to collect a few points for her efforts. Sheila Bleck will look to return to the Olympia stage. She was 6th at the Olympia last year and has to be one of the favorites in this lineup. Debbie Bramwell announced at the media conference this will be her last competition and she’ll leave looking shredded. She has plans to start a family and will retire on a high note. Nancy Lewis is one of the seasoned veterans to the stage and has her sights set on finishing higher than she did at the Chicago pro, 6th. Kim Perez will also look to return to the the big dance in Vegas. She’s coming off a 9th place finish at the 2012 Arnold Classic. Marina Lopez has been competing all year in the Women’s Physique division and has been outside of the top spots. It will be interesting to see what she brings to the bodybuilding as she makes the switch back. This is one of the highest pay day opportunities for the women, so look for the field of competitors to be at the best in hopes of leaving a little richer.

Women’s Bodybuilding – Total Purse $9,500
1. Alicia Alfaro
2. Irene Anderson
3. Rita Bello
4. Sheila Bleck
5. Debbie Bramwell
6. Michelle Brent
7. Beverly DiRenzo
8. Roxanne Edwards
9. Paula Francis
10. Judy Gaillard
11. Colette Guimond
12. Sarah Hayes
13. Mary Ellen Jerumbo
14. Gillian Kovack
15. Janeen Lankowski
16. Lupe Leito
17. Nancy Lewis
18. Marina Lopez
19. Jena Mackey
20. Maryse Manios
21. Robyn Mentgen
22. Emery Miller
23. Kim Perez
24. Drorit Silverman
25. Melody Spetko
26. Beth Wachter
27. Tazzie Columb

WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE
There is no Olympia for this division in its inaugural year so the women are competing mainly for bragging rights. One lucky lady will leave with the title, a little cash and a giant trophy. The division has begun to work itself out and favors women with that are closer to a Figure competitor than that of a bodybuilder. That said, look for the women with the best shape and a nice balance of muscle to prevail. The competitor who could catch the line up sleeping and not seeing her coming is Tycie Coppett. She will be making her pro debut after turning pro at last year’s NPC Nationals. There are the usual suspects in the show like Nola Trimble, Gina Trochiano, Jennifer Robinson and Mikaila Soto. Dayana Cadeau looks like 1/2 the women she was a year ago as she’s completely down-sized her physique from her bodybuilding days. Jen Louwagie will be making her debut after achieving pro status at the 2012 Team Universe. Teresita Morales was second at the New York Pro but packs a great deal more muscle then many of the other competitors. It will be interesting to see how she fares here.

Women’s Physique – Total Purse $3,000
1. Mercedes Bazemore
2. La’Drissa Bonivel
3. Dayana Cadeau
4. Cheryl Cooke
5. Tycie Coppett
6. Laura Davies
7. Melissa DiBernardo
8. Cassandra Floyd
9. Amanda Harris
10. Marlene Koekemoer
11. Lisa Lopez
12. Jen Louwagie
13. Petra Mertl
14. Teresita Morales
15. Tiani Norman
16. Jennifer Robinson
17. Mikaila Soto
18. Antoinette Thompson
19. Nola Trimble
20. Gina Trochiano

If you’re following the action online and participating on twitter use the hashtag #PBWpro. You can follow live play-by-play on Muscle Phone and NPCNEWSonline.