IFBB Europa Show of Champions – Orlando Figure Preview & Poll
Hardbody.com by Isaac Hinds
Twenty-one women are slated to compete at this weekend’s IFBB Europa Show of Champions. A new champion will be crowned as last year’s champ, Erin Stern will not be competing. She will be in attendance at the event and checking in through out the weekend. Who will wear the crown this year?
Hardbody 411:
Stephanie Bambrough - Stephanie typically competes in the fitness division but will try her hand in the figure competition. She’s a cut girl with good personality. Might in a little over her head with this line up to hang in the top five but a top 10 finish would be a victory for her.
Holly Beck – Holly has great shape and lots of potential. She was knocking on the door of the top spots in 2009 but slipped out of the top ten last year. We’ll see if some time off will help her get back into a to spot.
Cheryl Brown - Cheryl has been on a mission since placing 11th at the Olympia. She successfully defended her title at the Kentucky Pro to end the 2010 season. She finished 5th in her Figure International debut last month. She’s one of the favorites heading into this show and has to be considered the one to beat. While she doesn’t have my favorite physique in the division she does continue to improve. The little details might be the determining factor for the win. Things like her stage presence and hair/make up. If she’s got it all together look for her to win, if not the door is open for someone else.
Nicole Carter – Nicole is from Barbados and I’m not very familiar with her history. She’ll have her work cut out for her to crack the top 10 in this line up but it’s great to see competitors from outside the US competing.
Viviana Casarubbia - Viviana calls Argentina home and will return to the states once again. She carries a good deal of muscle and if she brings the same package she did last year, she’ll be on the outside looking in. Based on what she looked like in the past she might be a great candidate for the new women’s physique division. We’ll see what she brings to the stage this weekend.
Ginette Delhaes – Ginette has the looks and the potential to move up into a top spot. She’s been on the outside of the top ten her last couple shows but I look for her to finish in the top ten here. She’ll need to have tighter glutes and hamstrings to do it though.
Lauren DeNapoli - Lauren is another fitness competitor trying her hand at Figure. She turned pro at the 2009 Team Universe and made her pro debut last year at the NY Pro Fitness. She has a nice physique and could be in the mix here.
Melissa Frederick – Melissa made the switch to figure at the St. Louis Pro show and finished in sixth. She made her way to the New York Pro Fitness where she finished at the bottom of the pack. I look for her to be in the top ten here. She just needs to come in full and not too stringy with her physique.
Alana Hernandez - It’s been a couple years since we’ve seen Alana compete. She has a nice physique and isn’t overly muscular. Many times her suit choice and presentation has hurt her. It’s good to see her back on stage and we’ll see if she can crack the top ten here. I’d like to see her bring straight wavy hair versus the tight curls she’s show in the past. I can only assume her hair is naturally curly. Sounds silly but hair choice can make a difference.
Candice John - Candice has a rock’n physique. Her biggest challenge is bringing a tight booty and not being too muscular on stage. Shes’ steadily moved her way up into the top 10 consistently and I wouldn’t be surprised if she make a run for a top five spot here.
Candice Keene - Candice is coming off an 8th place finish at the Figure International. She was a little off but not by much, I would have placed her higher and look for her to be in the mix for the win here. I can’t see her being out of the top five this weekend. If Candice stayed on her game plan after Columbus she’ll be at her best here.
CeaAnna Kerr - CeaAnna is still trying to find her groove in the pro ranks but she is making head way. I see her somewhere in the middle of the pack here. If she cracks the top ten she could consider it a successful showing in this competitive line up.
Kaylen McKenzie – Kaylen went from 14th at the 2010 NPC Jr. Nationals to winning the overall at the 2010 North American Championships. She definitely stepped up her game. If she brings that same look to the stage this weekend she’ll be one of the rookie standouts. This will be her pro debut so let’s see what she brings to the big league.
Petra Mertl - Peta had her best showing last year at the Ft. Lauderdale Cup to end the year out. She’ll look to pick up where she left off and move into the top five. She’s been up and down in her placings over the years but has yet to finish higher than 7th. It won’t be easy to get into the top spots here but we’ll see what she brings.
Kristen Nagrani - Kristen will be making her pro debut this weekend after turning pro last summer. She turned pro at the same time her daughter, Bikini Olympia Champ Nicole. She’s always in shape and is a consistent competitor in every show she enters. I see her in the top 10 and if she’s on the money with her conditioning look for her to be in the top five.
Kat Ramirez - Kat continues to improve from show to show. She was 7th at the Jacksonville Pro last year. At the New York Pro I remember thinking she needed to go eat a pizza and fill out. When she comes in full her physique is great, if she comes in too small and stringy she’ll be on the outside looking in. I look for her to be at her best and be in the top five.
Elvimar Sanchez - I love Elvimar’s look but it isn’t the look that wins shows. She needs to be much tighter in the lower body to be in the mix. She has the looks and stage presence but it will require a much tighter bod.
Gennifer Strobo - Strobo has the curse of a fast metabolism. If she doesn’t eat and eat and eat she comes in small and stringy. She’s added some size since turning pro and if she comes in full she’ll be in the top three here. If she’s small and stringy, she’ll be on the outside of the qualifying Olympia spots.
Sandi Stuart - Sandi is one of the fitness gals making her way to Figure for this show. She shared that her intent was to head to the Fibo Pro but had to switch things up. Since she’s in shape she decided to throw her name in the mix. It’s a tough line up and she’ll have her work cut out for her to get in the mix with this cast of competitors.
Ann Titone - Ann did a ton of shows last year which isn’t always bad but in her case it didn’t help. Sometimes competitors need to give their body a rest and make improvements. We’ll see if the time off since last Fall treated her well. She’ll be gunning for a top five spot, it’ll be her first time doing so if she’s able to get there.
Amy Vetter – Amy was sixth at her pro debut last year at the Houston Pro. I like her look and if she can come in a bit sharper from behind than she was in her debut, she’ll be in the hunt. She looks good from the front but the detail and conditioning will need to be improved to be in a top spot. She has the potential, let’s see if she brings it.
