2010 IFBB North American Championships Official Discussion Thread

[MuSuLPhReAk]

This is taking place on September 3/4, in Cleveland, Ohio

Officially in the show and registered up to now.

OPEN FIGURE
Lara Williams (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17488) – Ontario
Nicki Pimm (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15790) – Alberta
Catherine Norris (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15766) – Alberta
Jayme Galloway (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15794) – Manitoba
Marcella Cameron (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16085) – Alberta
Anita Kus-Roberts (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15765) - Ontario
Rosa Valente (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19266) - Ontario
Sheri Fisher (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16108) - Ontario
Lauren Jacobsen (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15844) - Ontario
Emily Zelinka (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15962) - Ontario

FITNESS
Sherry Boudreau (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19257) – British Columbia
Gloria Mohninger (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15788) – Alberta

WOMEN BB OVER 35
Sharon Mould (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?p=397044) – Ontario
Barbara Stannard (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14283) – Alberta
Heather King (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14238) – Ontario
Janeen Lankowski (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14236) - Ontario
Maria Mikola (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14147) - Ontario
Robin Hillis (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14350) - Ontario


WOMEN BB OPEN
Barbara Stannard – Alberta
Sharon Mould – Ontario
Heather King – Ontario
Janeen Lankowski - Ontario
Maria Mikola - Ontario

WOMEN BIKINI SHORT
Zara Pineda-Boorder (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17509) - Ontario

OPEN MEN
Scott Kivisto (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14813) – Ontario
John Mutton (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14653) – Ontario
Sammy Nagib (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14741) – Quebec
Yves Piedalue (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14792) – Quebec
Marco Zaborac (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19258) – Ontario
Loutfi Ajaoun (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14880) - Quebec
Larry Vinette (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14730) - Quebec
Jason Eggleston (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14993) - Manitoba
Ron Partlow (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14146) - Alberta
Renaldo Gairy - Ontario

MEN OVER 40
John Mutton – Ontario
Bernie Mockler (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14651) - Ontario

MEN OVER 50
Yves Piedalue – Quebec

If anyone knows anyone else, post up please and big good luck to all the Canadian competitors in the show.

[Praetorian]

John Mutton - Men's Middle weight over 40
Leon Eastman Men's heavy weight over 40
P

[MuSuLPhReAk]

From Ontario Physique on FB
Team Ontario participants

Sheri Fisher
Rosa Valente
Renaldo Gary
Anita Kus-Roberts

[guest5]

Loutfi!!


http://www.rxmuscle.com/videos/iatraining/1950-canadian-loutfi-ajaoun-trains-back-in-prep-for-the-2010-ifbb-north-america.html

[Sean Summers]

Heather King

[fitfanatik]

Good Luck to All Competing!!!

So another card will go out to the bridesmaid of the Open Men Division!

** IFBB Pro cards are awarded to the following placings:
The top 2 placers in the Overalls of Open Men, Open Figure and Open Bikini.
The Overall winners of the Over 40 Men, Over 50 Men, Open Women Bodybuilding and Over 35 Women Bodybuilding, Open Fitness, Over 35 Figure and Over 35 Bikini.

** NEW DIVISION ADDED IN 2010!! **

TEEN MEN – 4 Weight Classes

Let's hope the judging is fair and acurate, with all politics aside.

Good Luck everybody!

:fwave

Hit that stage HARD AND REPRESENT!!!

Canadas gonna have another IFBB PRO very soon!

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Edited and put it as first post.

[Andre Gregoire]

On Facebook Larry Vinette says he's there and getting ready...

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Added him in. There are 403 competitors at the event. Insane!!

[ironwill]

Good luck guys and girls......Looking to see Ron and Jason with some hardware....Big show!!!!
Thanks for keeping us in the loop....

[Delt King]

Hopefully MP can post up those results as quickly as the last 2 big shows. Amazing getting results almost live.:a+

[gettinbigger]

Renaldo Gairy too...

[gettinbigger]

Some pics of Canadian guys at the pre-judging

[gettinbigger]

a couple more...

[fitnessbyzara]

Hey..I've put some of my photos in the mix here :) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=202815&id=739369600&l=31cd297ecd

[bluenose]

Just had a look at the SHW pictures and Big Ron looks like the tightest guy in his class for the prejudging. Couple of other guys that have more size and and good shape that will give him a run for his money,b ut clearly not as lean and Partlow. Keith Williams is very big and has shape, but not as lean.Todd Jewell has lots of muscle and a good shape, but again not nearly as lean. Kirk DeFrancesco looks good and depends if he tightens up for todays finals he could change the outcome. Loutfi looks like he lost his conditioning, but would be in the mix if he brought the same conditioning.
I would say Ron is in the top three and will depend on what the judges want to reward.

This is just looking at the pictures separately and not the comparisons. Definately like to see the comparisons that would give everyone a better idea!

This is just my two cents!

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Some call outs worth mentioning

Marco Zaborac 1st call out in Light-Heavyweight

Renaldo Gairy 1st call out Heavyweight

Jason Eggleston and Sammy Nagib 3rd call out Heavyweight

Loutfi and Ron Partlow 2nd call out Super-Heavyweight

Sherry Boudreau is looking great in Fitness Classs A

Zara Pineda-Boorder looking great too in Bikini Class A

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Janeen Lankowski and Maria Mikola 1st call out women Light Heavyweight & Masters

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Robin Hillis got first call out Women 35+ Heavyweight

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Jaime Galloway and Nicki Pimm got 2nd call out Figure Class B

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Anita Kus-Roberts got 2nd call out for Figure Class C

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Janeen Lankowski can take the women LHW with this package.

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Emily Zelinka 1st call out Figure Class F

[69challenger]

Lauren Jacobsen was in first callout in Class B
sheri Fisher also got first callout in figure Class E
Rosa Vallente was first call out in Figure Class D

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Jason Eggleston

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Loutfi Ajaoun

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Ron Partlow

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Sammy Nagib

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Larry Vinette

[MuSuLPhReAk]

John Mutton

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Yves Piedalue

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Renaldo Gairy

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Scott Kivisto

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Bernie Mockler

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Sharon Mould

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Maria Mikola

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Heather King

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Barbara Stannard

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Lara Williams

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Nicki Pimm

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Jayme Galloway

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Lauren Jacobsen

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Anita Kus Roberts

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Rosa Valente

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Sherry Boudreau

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Gloria Mohninger

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Zara Pineda-Boorder

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Marco Zaborac

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Emily Zelinka

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Marcella Cameron

[fitnessbyzara]

Thanks...Musclefreak for adding the photo. I also got in the first call out. Not sure if anyone was around to stay for bikini after the long day last evening...but yes, I was happy to be in the running ;) so excited to go back tonight and represent for Team Ontario and Canada in the Bikini Class A -- so if you're around, call out my number :) I'm # 10! And the first to walk out in my class :)

[tiramisu]

Looks like the canadian women are making the first callouts this year. Always impressive at a show with over 400 competitors.

Did any of the canadian men make the first callouts?

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Robin Hillis

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Some comparisons pics of the super heavies

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Fitness Class A

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Heavyweights

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Light-Heavyweight

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Middleweight

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Welterweight

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Masters Middleweight

[bigtavi8]

Dam big ron might take the supers. God knows he deserves it but we will c in good time i geuss. That marco zaborac dude has some of the best conditioning at the show hope he does good.

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Bantamweight

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Bikini Class A

[MuSuLPhReAk]

No one has any pics of Catherine Norris at this show. Hopefully tonight.

[SteveKing]

Dam big ron might take the supers. God knows he deserves it but we will c in good time i geuss. .

He didnt make first call outs. Those pics are of second call outs.

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Callouts from prejudging in case some missed it.

Some call outs worth mentioning

Marco Zaborac 1st call out in Light-Heavyweight

Renaldo Gairy 1st call out Heavyweight

Jason Eggleston and Sammy Nagib 3rd call out Heavyweight

Loutfi and Ron Partlow 2nd call out Super-Heavyweight

Sherry Boudreau is looking great in Fitness Classs A

Zara Pineda-Boorder looking great too in Bikini Class A

Janeen Lankowski and Maria Mikola 1st call out women Light Heavyweight & Masters

Robin Hillis got first call out Women 35+ Heavyweight

Jaime Galloway and Nicki Pimm got 2nd call out Figure Class B

Anita Kus-Roberts got 2nd call out for Figure Class C

Emily Zelinka 1st call out Figure Class F

Lauren Jacobsen was in first callout in Class B

Sheri Fisher also got first callout in figure Class E

Rosa Valente was first call out in Figure Class D

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Women Light-Heavyweight

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Figure Class B

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Figure Class D

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Women Lightweight 35+
1. Claire oconnell
2. Barbara stannard

Masters 35+ Middleweight
1. Sherri Gray
2. Ellen Woodley
3. Heather King
4. Terri Vona
5. Lynn Davis

Masters 35+ Light Heavyweight
1. Michelle Brent
2. Janeen Lankowski
3. Emily Holder
4. Maria Mikola
5. Jolyn Shane

Masters 35+ Heavyweight
1. Jennifer Gutierrez
2. Bonnie Pappas
3. Juanita Blaino
4. Angela Rayburn
5. Robin Hillis

Masters 35+ Overall
1. Claire OConnell

Lightweight
1. Claire OConnell
2. Barbara Stannard

Middleweight
1. Sherri Gray
2. Heather King
3. Terri Vona

Light Heavyweight
1. Michelle Brent
2. Janeen Lankowski
3. Emily Holder
4. Natalie Ariel
5. Maria Mikola

Heavyweight
1. Monique Jones
2. Heather Parsons
3. Jennifer Gutierrez
4. Bonnie Pappas
5. Angela Rayburn

Overall - Monique Jones

Pro Cards
Monique Jones
Claire OConnell

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Masters Overall
Chris Filipelli

Masters 50+ Super Heavyweight
1. Phil Cooper
2. Hunter Mann
3. Jim Agigian
4. James Vandervest

Masters 50+ Heavyweight
1. Chris Filipelli
2. Roger Puffer
3. David Plew
4. Leonard Crabtree

Masters 50+ Light Heavyweight
1. Gregg Krause
2. Donnie Whetstone
3. Steve Dufresne
4. Mick Lanzino
5. Wayne Wood

Masters 50+ Middleweight
1. Gerardo Panchi
2. Tim Anderson
3. Charlie Brown

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Masters 50+ Welterweight
1. Julian Casillas
2. Daniel Demas

Masters 50+ Lightweight
1. George Gibson
2. James Seger
3. Yves Piedalue
4. Thomas Walker

[Andre Gregoire]

I think Marco Z will do really well and Loutfi will probably do pretty well also.

Damn those middleweights are big, glad I am not up there beside them.

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Masters 40+ Middleweight
1. Gerardo Cabrera
2. David Melnicoff
3. Mike Hurl
4. Michael Gerl
5. Bernie Mockler
6. John Mutton

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Masters 40+ Light Heavyweight
1. Parenthesis Devers
2. Durlan Castro
3. Monty Mabry
4. Lorenzo Jones
5. Tad Inoue

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Masters 40+ Heavyweight
1. Rodney Roller
2. Scott Shoemaker
3. Joe Downs
4. Arthur Williams
5. David Coleman

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Masters 40+ Super Heavyweight
1. Robert Calin
2. Michael Alexander
3. Kevin Law
4. Donnie Young
5. Ray Minger
6. John Simone

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Masters 40+ Welterweight
1. Kent Bierly
2. Maris Lee

Masters 40+ Lightweight
1. Sergio Moya Alanis
2. Troy Durbin
3. Julio Del Rio
4. Yves Piedalue

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Masters 40+ Overall and Pro Card - Parenthesis Devers

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Sherry Boudreaux (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19257) from BC Fitness Overall and IFBB Pro Card Winner

Congrats Sherry

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Fitness Class A
1. Sherry Boudreau
2. Rachel Patton
3. Paula Williams-Gulman
4. Laurie Singer

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Fitness Class B
1. Lena Mishin
2. Meredith Miller
3. Kimberly Stroup
4. Shelly Howard
5. Cara Thien

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Master Bikini Class A
1. Kim DeArcangelis

Master Bikini Class C
1. Stacey Naito
2. Sherry Hasty
3. Pamela Chatman
4. Leslie Thompson

Master Bikini Class D
1. Angela Leong
2. Summer Taylor
3. Holly Powell
4. Richelle Valdez
5. Melissa Dorney

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Bikini Overall and Pro Card - Angela Leong (winner of Master's Class D)

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Bikini Class A
1. Zara Pineda-Boorder (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17509)
2. Kim DeArcangelis
3. Alectra Kelly
4. Karen Pang
5. Khay Rosemond

Bikini Class B
1. Candyce Graham
2. Tatum Miranda
3. Iveth Carreon
4. Donna Lalino
5. Michelle Wood-Seng

Bikini Class C
1. Stacey Naito
2. Sherry Hasty
3. Pamela Chatman

[69challenger]

Yay zara!!!!!!

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Congrats to Zara for winning her class!!

[69challenger]

Open Bikini class C...here's what I have

1. Jennifer Andrews
2. Cristy Mendivil
3. Stacey Naito
4. Carrie Hensman
5. Zlata Sushchik

[69challenger]

OPEN BIKINI CLASS D

1. Samantha Morris
2. Summer Taylor

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Don't know what's going on with RX right now. They have Zara as overall ??

[Brennylee]

Yay Zara!!! Congrats!! Rooting for the overall for you!!

[Brennylee]

Just saw this too!! Bikini

Overall North America Bikini Winner:
Zara Boorder

[69challenger]

NICE!!!!

[MuSuLPhReAk]

And MD has Maria DeLourdes

[69challenger]

Zara Pineda-Boorder wins bikini overall.

Samantha Morris gets second pro card.

[69challenger]

Congrats Zara!!!

[MuSuLPhReAk]

I think we should wait a few minutes for them to verify stuff. It's jumping everywhere and results are changing. Going to try flex.

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Shit. ZARA GOT THE PRO CARD!!!

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Earned Pro Card on RX
Angela Leong
Samantha Morris
Zara Pineda-Boorder

[69challenger]

Well deserved for Zara!! Super sweet girl and very classy stage presentation!

[MuSuLPhReAk]

On MD it's
Angela Leong
Maria DeLourdes

[69challenger]

MASTERS FIGURE CLASS A

1. Shannon Bennett
2. Elsie Velazquez
3. Judy Del-Amor
4. Jennifer Berkowitz
5. Alicia Meza

[69challenger]

MASTERS FIGURE CLASS B

1. Tiffany Procopio
2. Vicki Counts
3. Rebecca Schubeck
4. Jolle Mosser
5. Sabrina Sonner

[69challenger]

MASTERS FIGURE CLASS C

1. Jennifer Robinson
2. Daphane Bascom
3. Lynn Nichols
4. Tara Hollinsworth
5. Lori Brooks

[69challenger]

MASTERS FIGURE CLASS D

1. Lisa Tanker
2. Mary Dent
3. Janet West
4. Deborah Judy
5. LeNora

[69challenger]

MASTERS FIGURE CLASS E

1. Wendy Bogard
2. Alexander Johnston
3. Alicia King
4. Patricia Manzi
5. Ester Gozmansky

[69challenger]

MASTERS FIGURE CLASS F

1. Zonzie McLaurin
2. Lisa Shanklin
3. Charlene Ferderbar
4. Jennifer Iratano
5. Sara Bedrossian

[loriann]

Just saw this too!! Bikini

Overall North America Bikini Winner:
Zara Boorder

That's our gal!! Congrats Zara!!

[69challenger]

Masters Figure overall winner & IFBB Pro............

Tiffany Procopio

[69challenger]

OPEN FIGURE CLASS A

1. Elsie Velazquez
2. Gloria Keplinger
3. Amber Edwards
4. Shannon Bennett
5. Alicia Meza

[69challenger]

OPEN FIGURE CLASS B

1. Lauren Jacobsen
2. Jolie Mosser
3. Vicki Counts
4. Stephanie Richard
5. Niki Pimm

[69challenger]

GOOOOOO Lauren!!!!

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Congrats Lauren, hope I can say it again soon :)

[69challenger]

OPEN FIGURE CLASS C

1. Kaylen McKenzie
2. Nancy Trembley
3. Jennifer Robionson
4. Lori Brooks
5. Angela Kegler

[69challenger]

OPEN FIGURE CLASS D

1. Meridith Berthleson
2. Lisa Taker
3. Laura Bailey
4. Rosa Valente
5. Mary Dent

[69challenger]

OPEN FIGURE CLASS E

1. Sheri Fisher
2. Allison Smith
3. Megan Reynolds
4. Jodi Amerosa
5. Kiana Norman

[69challenger]

Yeah sheri!!!!!

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Congrats Sheri. Canada has 2 chances for a Figure pro right now.

[69challenger]

OPEN FIGURE CLASS F

1. Rebecca Bowers
2. Emily Zelinka
3. Andrea Holliday
4. Charlene Ferdebar
5. Julie Jepson

[69challenger]

Open figure overall champ & IFBB Pro.............

Kaylen McKenzie

And runner up overall & IFBB Pro..............

Meredith Berthelson

[MuSuLPhReAk]

No pro card for us in figure but the ladies did great. A big congratulations to you all. Way to represent!

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Men Bantamweight
1. Asuncion Alcocer Lopez

Men Lightweight
1. Sergio Moya Alanis

Men Welterweight
1. Kent Bierly

Men Middleweight
1. Alan Bailey

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Men Light-Heavyweight
1. Durlan Castro

[Talo]

Is this comp at the same place every year ? Just wondering if there is a chance of it coming to Canada.

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Men Heavyweight
1. Lee Banks

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Men Super-Heavyweight
1. Abbas Khatami

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Overall and pro card - Lee Banks
Runner up and pro card - Abbas Khatami

[SuperQT]

Is this comp at the same place every year ? Just wondering if there is a chance of it coming to Canada.

For as long as I have been following bodybuilding about 7ish years it has always been in Cleveland.

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Renaldo Gairy took 4th in heavyweights

[ScorpioChiq]

Renaldo Gairy took 4th in heavyweights

Palumbo said that it looks like Renaldo has a umbilical hernia ... wonder if he will get it fixed.

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Ron Partlow was 6th in the super heavyweights

[SteveKing]

Great showing for Ronaldo.

Can't believe Brian Yersky was top 5. WTF! His physique is a mess. I thought Todd Jewel was way off too.

Those fat Americans need to learn something from our Canadian athletes :) :flagC:fwave

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Here is Brian Yersky who was 5th.

[MuSuLPhReAk]

2010 IFBB North American Championships Results (http://www.canadabodybuilding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19273)

[bluenose]

Great showing for Ronaldo.

Can't believe Brian Yersky was top 5. WTF! His physique is a mess. I thought Todd Jewel was way off too.

Those fat Americans need to learn something from our Canadian athletes :) :flagC:fwave

Yes, I have to agree Yersky has one messy physique!

[steve_d]

can't believe vinette didn't make top 15. I looked at pics, and it's not like he was off or anything...

[Delt King]

BIG Congrats to ZARA, wow one hell of a good year for you!!!! IFBB Pro now. How cool is that.

Renaldo looked great, Pro card coming for him in the near future.

Ron looked even better here than at nationals. What a crazy lat spread!!! Keep pumping dude. I had you placed easily top 5. I don't know what's up with those judges.

To all the other competitors, you guys did awesome and way to represent Canada. For a relatively small country (population wise) i think we rock!:cflag

[ironwill]

Kudos!!!!! Congrats everyone......

[MuSuLPhReAk]

After I saw this pic of Ron at the nationals, I refer to him as Captain Canada :D
Hope you don't mind Ron.

Couldn't find a similar pic at the North Americans.

[tiramisu]

I'm not exactly sure how yersky beats out paltrow but I don't suppose a single placing is worth fussing about if it isn't the difference between first and second.

[bluenose]

Here is a dude from the HW class, Juan Morel! Check out this back detail..I'm surprised he didn't take the class. Might be a future pro!

[Prisoner#22]

I though Juan had the class, he definitely was the hardest on stage of the front runners IMO

[Prisoner#22]

Just back from the North Americans, and i can tell you that a lot of the results have politics involved.

That being said... Its all about 'paying your dues' down there for a lot of us competitors. My final placing was 17th, and I have to say I was not happy with that as I felt there were more than a handfull of competitors who I should have placed ahead of.

Lots of out-of-shape competitors placing much higher than guys ripped to shredds... (So Prae... yah probably ain't gonna like the North Americans any more than you do the Canadians lol...)

In fact, I could have not dieted at all and my placing and Ron's as well would likely have been unchanged... maybe even higher lol.

That being said I am quite satisfied with how I did, and how I looked. I garnered a lot of attention from some major photographers there, and basically got the same critique that I got at the Canadians... from Shawn Ray and Dave Palumbo on MD and RX: absolutely no critisisms of my physique, just complements and, "just needs to add more size".


I was lucky enough though to meet up with some photographers, get a shoot, and I was told by the biggest name photographer there to don't worry about going after the trophies lol just focus on the 'print work' .... so for me the trip was a success, I knew I didn't have a chance of winning, I thought based on who showed up last year in heavies... I may have a chance at top 5 there, but this year the competition was a lot more stiff... But exposure for... my face was what I was hoping for, mission was accomplished lol...

I thought since I was outclassed at the Canadians size wize in the supers I would give heavies a shot, so I was able to get my weight down to 224 (I dropped 4 lbs of water from that morning before I flew out untill 6pm) to make the heavy weights... but as Shawn Ray put it "too tall for the class" lol

So basically right now competition wise I am in purgatory... Too tall for Heavies, and not big enough for Superheavies.

[Brennylee]

P22, you should do Paul Dillet's WBFF show in a few weeks...

[Prisoner#22]

P22, you should do Paul Dillet's WBFF show in a few weeks...

That would disqualify me from ever competing in the CBBF/ NPC again.

Thats something I do not want to choose between, at this point in time.

But thanks!

[JonnyO]

J, you looked great BOTH shows, keep plugging away like you been doing. We're both in the same boat. Glad to got some good exposure that awesome and hopefully something will come out of it all within the next year here.

[bluenose]

That would disqualify me from ever competing in the CBBF/ NPC again.

Thats something I do not want to choose between, at this point in time.

But thanks!

Have they changed this P#22 in the last little while? I know a couple of guys that competed in both CBBF and WBFF without being disqualified.

By the way you looked good!

[Prisoner#22]

Have they changed this P#22 in the last little while? I know a couple of guys that competed in both CBBF and WBFF without being disqualified.

By the way you looked good!

I did do the Alberta WBFF championships in July. I was not awarded the procard there, as Paul didn't want to make any trouble for me with the cbbf, which I appreciated, as we had the understanding that my goal is to turn pro as an IFBB first, then if I decided to compete as a WBFF pro I would at that time.

It is extrememly hard to win prostatus... and who knows I may never do it... but I am not going to take a procard after beating 2 substandard competitors who would not even place in the top 3 at a provincial show.

[Praetorian]

Just back from the North Americans, and i can tell you that a lot of the results have politics involved.

That being said... Its all about 'paying your dues' down there for a lot of us competitors. My final placing was 17th, and I have to say I was not happy with that as I felt there were more than a handfull of competitors who I should have placed ahead of.

Lots of out-of-shape competitors placing much higher than guys ripped to shredds... (So Prae... yah probably ain't gonna like the North Americans any more than you do the Canadians lol...)

In fact, I could have not dieted at all and my placing and Ron's as well would likely have been unchanged... maybe even higher lol.

That being said I am quite satisfied with how I did, and how I looked. I garnered a lot of attention from some major photographers there, and basically got the same critique that I got at the Canadians... from Shawn Ray and Dave Palumbo on MD and RX: absolutely no critisisms of my physique, just complements and, "just needs to add more size".


I was lucky enough though to meet up with some photographers, get a shoot, and I was told by the biggest name photographer there to don't worry about going after the trophies lol just focus on the 'print work' .... so for me the trip was a success, I knew I didn't have a chance of winning, I thought based on who showed up last year in heavies... I may have a chance at top 5 there, but this year the competition was a lot more stiff... But exposure for... my face was what I was hoping for, mission was accomplished lol...

I thought since I was outclassed at the Canadians size wize in the supers I would give heavies a shot, so I was able to get my weight down to 224 (I dropped 4 lbs of water from that morning before I flew out untill 6pm) to make the heavy weights... but as Shawn Ray put it "too tall for the class" lol

So basically right now competition wise I am in purgatory... Too tall for Heavies, and not big enough for Superheavies.


I hear you J...on the placings some were just strange...Jewel in 3rd for the supers...the guys is huge but man...he was 6-8 weeks out minimum...no way he was third in my book. You are a natural SHW J coming down to the HW just seemed to take away that wow factor...a bit too flat probably from dropping the excess water which most likely came from the muscle. That happens to me as as well and I think really hurt me at the Canadas...no worries things happen for a reason and I have perfected a new loading technique with a client at the NA and will be much much fuller and harder onstage then ever before. Im back to the gym today and starting my prep for the NA and possibly the Canada's...well see.
P

[Prisoner#22]

I hear you J...on the placings some were just strange...Jewel in 3rd for the supers...the guys is huge but man...he was 6-8 weeks out minimum...no way he was third in my book. You are a natural SHW J coming down to the HW just seemed to take away that wow factor...a bit too flat probably from dropping the excess water which most likely came from the muscle. That happens to me as as well and I think really hurt me at the Canadas...no worries things happen for a reason and I have perfected a new loading technique with a client at the NA and will be much much fuller and harder onstage then ever before. Im back to the gym today and starting my prep for the NA and possibly the Canada's...well see.
P

Thanks for the kind works Prae.. well this offseason is going to be different for me... I am buying a sled, gonna push and pull that thing to hell and back lol... and I'm also gonna start working out twice a day... incorporating possibly a little slin into the mix... some olympic lifts..
we'll see. But I gotta switch things up a little, I feel that by doing so there are definitely some extreme improvements I can can make between this year and next.

[fitfanatik]

Great showing for Ronaldo.

Can't believe Brian Yersky was top 5. WTF! His physique is a mess. I thought Todd Jewel was way off too.

Those fat Americans need to learn something from our Canadian athletes :) :flagC:fwave

WORD!!!:wtf

Here's a link to some vids just being posted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVE_cfUk7ko

there's about a half dozen, with more on the way hopefully,

[MuSuLPhReAk]

Video interview of Zara after the show with Dave Palumbo
http://www.rxmuscle.com/videos/c-interviews/1974-zara-pineda-boorder-after-winning-the-2010-ifbb-north-american-bikini-overall.html

[natenator]

*whistles*

[69challenger]

Zara is such a cutie!! So happy to see her do so well!!

[fitnessbyzara]

Thanks everyone! I'm en-route to competing in my first Pro show on the 17th in Detroit! Top three goes to Olympia :) I'm soo excited and blessed to have many people who I don't know personally in real life, cheering me on in the forums! Canadian Athletes, rocked the stage in Cleveland!

Congrats to everyone!

[Ron Partlow]

I'm not exactly sure how yersky beats out paltrow but I don't suppose a single placing is worth fussing about if it isn't the difference between first and second.

Well, you are correct in the fact that is was only one placing, but top 5 is 100% of the press and attention, and every other placing may as well be 20th down at those American shows. They call the first 5, and they never mix or match things. If you aren't called out in the first 10 seconds, you're done. They will not compare you to anyone in the top 5 no matter how you look.

I was very happy with everything except I did truly feel I deserved first call out, and several guys IN the first call out told me the same thing.

Just so everyone knows.....Because of the soft lighting and bright auditorium, the pics are actually great equalizers. All the guys in really great shape look really good, and all the guys who were WAY off look pretty good too. It's weird to see pics after being there. I had guys in my class telling me I was "****ing shredded" and stuff like that. It was nice to get props for condition at an American show, I just wish it would have mattered more in the call outs. Some of the top guys were SOFT.

Fun trip though, I had a blast.

Cheers and congrats to all the Canadians who competed and did what we do best.....show them Yanks how to get in shape. So many Canadians were dialed, and tons of Americans were way off.

[BigGuns21]

It's funny how sometimes contest pics don't do people justice and people who were there were like "no, the guy was shredded and dry" and then sometimes the live lighting is terrible and if they judged by pics you'd place 3 higher.

I was not at the show but from the pics I seen Ron, you were the tightest in your class, especially your hamstrings, they were peeled in the pics I seen and were even more amplified with some of the others beside you.

From regional qualifiers to IFBB, every show has at least one questionable placing everytime. Unfortunately there will always be a human nature element to judging.

[Thor]

Here is how I saw it,

4th. Mike Rice: good conditioning, vascular.... Lots of muscle, but looked to smooth out

5th. Brian Yersky: Looked flat, lack of detail, looked like he over carbed or something, soft in the glutes

6th. Ron Partlow: Good conditioning, lots of seperation.... hams and glutes were ripped and nice flow overall


I had you in 4th but could have flipped with Mike Rice for 4th or 5th place. That pro card will be yours, all you need is time. Good luck

[fitfanatik]

...our good buddy is still uploading vid clips!

here's 1st callout of possibly the lightheavies.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzcDOHQyXBg

[Sandwiches]

Thanks everyone! I'm en-route to competing in my first Pro show on the 17th in Detroit! Top three goes to Olympia :) I'm soo excited and blessed to have many people who I don't know personally in real life, cheering me on in the forums! Canadian Athletes, rocked the stage in Cleveland!

Congrats to everyone!

pretty sure we were both meant to join this forum, meet and fall in love together

[natenator]

pretty sure we were both meant to join this forum, meet and fall in love together
LMAO

[MuSuLPhReAk]

I was asked to post this up.


**Yo, IFM staff and readers! ..... read with caution .... some TRUTH is about to be told:
5 days have passed since my Overall Title win at the prestigious IFBB North Americans this past weekend in Cleveland, Ohio, where I became the Newest IFBB Bikini Pro. Many American magazine publications have secured interviews wit...h me - namely Flex/Muscle & Fitness Hers, rxmuscle.com. And I've been contacted by IFBB Bikini Pro, Sonia Gonzales, to be on her Muscle Girls Inc radio show,with Ms Fitness Olympia herself, Adela Garcia this Monday. Media Rep and Photographers and VP.'s from other companies (both Canadian and American, and Mexican) have also contacted me personally to congratulate me on my win and offer to publicize my win. All within the past 5 days after my win.
Sooo I"m wondering? When will ANYONE from our very own Pro-Canadian & # 1 Canadian Fitness magazine, INSIDE FITNESS, finally contact me? bEcause during the same five days when rep after rep called me, no one from IFM has even said "boo"
Both Sherry B. (Fitness) and I (Bikini) won IFBB Pro Cards and we are Canadian Female Athletes! I mean, is that how your IFM team shows support and publicity for Canadian Athletes winning big accolades in the sport you claim to be about?...yet I haven't even received a frigin crappy FB wall post from any of you IFM affiliated, "FB friends" You know you're on my list and that I won! and that Sherry won! News travels fast on FB and we all know that.
I mean, come on? photographers from IFM haven't said congrats, media reps from IFM haven't said congrats, editors/writers from IFM haven't said congrats. And THAT is the truth as it is unfolding here today!
The only person affiliated with IFM that has contacted me, is Don Gauvreau, and he congratulated me on my win, like a professional. He is honest about his love for the sport and the Canadian Athletes who win accolades for the sport.
And for the rest of you, it's just what you can get from the Athletes for your magazine and your own business and not for the pure passion and support of Promoting Real Canadian Athletes in the Industry...no matter if they participate in schmoozing or not.
I'm not a fame-mongler, or hound to the fitness industry..I'm an athlete first and foremost and I train to compete and compete to win.
I'm a Canadian Athlete who had to win her Pro Card in the States, because I didn't get enough industry hype over here in my own country...as many of us have seen happen in shows where hype won over talent.
I thank the OPA and CBBF for giving me the opportunity to climb the amature ranks but their Media reps, I can not thank for anything.
OOOoooh, some might be thinking, "She just screwed herself by posting this"...but no, I don't feel that way at all...I believe that I just "FREED" myself and I may just have opened the doors to "FREE" up some other Canadian Athletes who have been feeling the same way with Canadian Fitness Media Cliques.

On a side side note - My husband works in the film industry training, internationally, actors, choreographing fight scenes, with jude law, Forrest Whitiker, Gerald Butler, Chow Yun Fat, 87eleven Action design team that did V for Vendetta, and the "Bourne Series" of action, Action Team on 300, in KickAss, and doubled many many others in both Tv and Film for the past 15 years.....all this, meaning...Get over yourselves, and your Clique-ish ways. I've already been around really "Big Time Hot Shots" for over 10 years now, although not publicized until now...unlike those of you who use fb to make your inflated ego, your image. And use hype over talent.
So I'll gladly accept my "Bad-sheep title" now too, since I've spoken out against the council of Canadian Fitness media...but that's ok? I'm looking at the big picture - - - an btw, doesn't every professional sports federation need the poster child for "the rebel" I'll be, IFBB Pro Bikini Athlete, Zara "Bada**" Boorder!!

[fitfanatik]

LEE BANKS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2vRd_eTvMc

RENALDO GAIRY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnx2Q-qCa20

[Prisoner#22]

The Canadian powers that be don't even view bikini as a sport. They were begrudgingly forced to put it in only because the IFBB/ NPC decided to create the division. The division was created to make $$$ at the grass routes level, by drawing in the 'pagent and swimsuit contest crowd' which is huge in the States... So I can total see why there has been no publicity.

So you have met more celebrities than most of us. Big Whoop!

who cares, and really who cares about bikini... Me an Louftie got so board during the finals we went to eat because the bikini was taking so long, and we missed our divisions lol.

[fitnessbyzara]

Bikini is also an alternative for Figure girls, who in Canada, are always told to get bigger and bigger. I did figure - at the first ever figure at the OPA Naturals in 2002 and placed 2nd. Do you see what they are awarding now?

So just as I switched from 5 years of figure competition, to Bikini, my foundations of training and dieting are still precomp just as my figure days - and was taught to me by a bodybuilder...regular pageant girls don't do what I do, as a Bikini physique athlete - an awarded, IFBB Pro Bikini athlete, for that matter.

And whether you care or not..The Olympia Stage cares enough to give it props :D

[steve_d]

I really think you're great in your sport zara, and I congratulated you on your finish at the canadian nationals. With that said, there was only 1 thing I didn't like about your post above:

"I'm a Canadian Athlete who had to win her Pro Card in the States, because I didn't get enough industry hype over here in my own country...as many of us have seen happen in shows where hype won over talent."

are you suggesting you should have won the canadian nationals? In a sport as subjective as bikini, I find it hard to believe someone would even hint at the fact that they were "forced" to win it in the states...What if you placed second in the states? I am sure it wasn't a clear win, as it rarely ever is.

All I am saying is be grateful about your win...Keep it humble. There are many of girls who are quite probably deserving of a card who have not yet gotten it. But there can only be 1 winner, that winner was you - and on any other day it may have been someone else. I personally don't think "Hype" was the determinant of the winners at our canadian nationals. Justine in my opinion was a clear winner of the pro card. So don't take away from her win by suggesting Canada bases there winners on hype. Again, congrats on your win, but stay humble.


also...the winner of the short class was a zero hype girl...A new brunswick girl with zero media hype, an unknown...The only girl I even heard about in your class was Karen Pang, so hype would dictate she would win? So anyway....great that us canadians have two outlets to get a card, and even greater that some of us are actually able to go over there and GET it.... different panel of judges, perhaps less bias out there, who knows...But leave it at that. Bikini is never going to be an objective sport, and winners will never be the same week after week...and you've proved that going from 4th to 1st against a couple of the same girls even...

[fitnessbyzara]

@steve d

Well said. In over 8 years since I started competing in Figure before switching to bikini, I've held my tongue about what my opinion was about things I found no integrity in , within the realm of fitness and publicity for the sport that stemmed from passion for the sport itself, and not just the hype. That was my main issue with hype, not just for any particular show (You mentioned if I was hinting about the Canada's Nationals, results)

It's not any one show, or anyone person I'm referring to. It's the way some here in Canada within the fitness industry run their business; cliques and publicize more "poster childs"

Maybe "forced" was too harsh a word for many to feel comfortable reading. The #1 Canadian Fitness magazine didn't even mention any athletes that were Canadian females going to the NA's right after the Canada's....but if one of their "showcased athletes" were to have been competing, for sure they would have hyped it first on fB (as most hyping goes on there) and congratulated right away, and would have caused a big whoop for their athlete.

So, two of us girls won our pro cards and on Sunday when I plastered it on my fB wall with excitement and all of the fitness media's industry peeps - who will reply when I need to order photos or when I want to pay for rights to use photos, etc. for my promotion- didn't even leave me a message to say congrats.

It's just an unfairness I see happen to those that don't fall hostage to the "It's who you know" mentality or "schmoozing with the right people" to be in magazines. I, along with many competitors who are in the amaeture Canadian scene, just want the media to cover an athlete solely on their merit of being an consistent competitor over years of hard work and dedication in prolonging the sport of physique training for bodybuilding, fitness, figure and yes, now bikini...All very different looks ;D And my look never interested the magazines here enough to even get a one liner in the mag, even after many wins and 1st and 2nd placings (if so many years of competing goes under the media radar-it was because I didn't play the fame game and was humble and didn't try to get into magz to promo me.

I just competed because I loved competing. However, the hype of other federations who are getting publicized for shows not even connected to IFBB, which was the beginning federation and longest running of the sport, is what I'm speaking about...It's just about the fame and girls get into the sport solely for fame of what they can get from the exposure. And I just never competed this way before..but I'm happy and very happy to thank and be humble with the people that want to promote me for the talent first, and foremost.

[Prisoner#22]

Like I said above... Wiggling you hips, thrusting your butt cheeks out and tousling your hair while looking back from behind with the most flirtatious look you can muster at the judges is NOT a sport, and I don't give a **** if its at the Olympia. I guarantee you I am not flying there to watch it, and if it is on, I would rather watch a puking contest, as it requires more talent then what you have.

So take your hair extentions, fancy stripper high heels and all...this is a bodybuilding forum, not a "who's" ass has less cellulite on it or who picked their bathing suit the best or which girl gives the judges the easiest wood lol

In fact a stripper contest would be much more entertaining, requires much more talent, and in my view would be more of a sport than the bikini division.

Because really thats all the bikini division is.

[natenator]

Like I said above... Wiggling you hips, thrusting your butt cheeks out and tousling your hair while looking back from behind with the most flirtatious look you can muster at the judges is NOT a sport, and I don't give a **** if its at the Olympia. I guarantee you I am not flying there to watch it, and if it is on, I would rather watch a puking contest, as it requires more talent then what you have.

So take your hair extentions, fancy stripper high heels and all...this is a bodybuilding forum, not a "who's" ass has less cellulite on it or who picked their bathing suit the best or which girl gives the judges the easiest wood lol

In fact a stripper contest would be much more entertaining, requires much more talent, and in my view would be more of a sport than the bikini division.

Because really thats all the bikini division is.
+1

While harsh, I give it high marks for style and factual basis

[fitnessbyzara]

lol..i'm glad you think my real hair is extentions :D ...everyone shows up a little more stage ready for the competition. The protan alone, is not a real representation of how any physique athlete looks.

[natenator]

lol..i'm glad you think my real hair is extentions :D ...everyone shows up a little more stage ready for the competition. The protan alone, is not a real representation of how any physique athlete looks.
You missed the point: bikini competitions are a joke.

I can go to vegas, cancun or any other resort sportin 20 yrs old college girls struttin their goods on the beach and could probably come back with 20 of them who could easily compete in a bikini show.

You are likely the minority who have competed in multiple divisions and probably do diet the way it should be but the reality is that bikini is a stripper show without the nudity.

[Talo]

Like I said above... Wiggling you hips, thrusting your butt cheeks out and tousling your hair while looking back from behind with the most flirtatious look you can muster at the judges is NOT a sport, and I don't give a **** if its at the Olympia. I guarantee you I am not flying there to watch it, and if it is on, I would rather watch a puking contest, as it requires more talent then what you have.

So take your hair extentions, fancy stripper high heels and all...this is a bodybuilding forum, not a "who's" ass has less cellulite on it or who picked their bathing suit the best or which girl gives the judges the easiest wood lol

In fact a stripper contest would be much more entertaining, requires much more talent, and in my view would be more of a sport than the bikini division.

Because really thats all the bikini division is.

I wouldn rather watch girls in bathing suits than men in thongs any day.

[MuSuLPhReAk]

I'm going to chime in here. I felt much like the rest of you about the bikini division. There is a specific member here that changed my view. She goes under the handle metalchick.

Hardcore powerlifter (actually listens to heavier music than I do lol). She does a show in the bikini division and I post up pics. I didn't even know it was her until someone pointed it out. WOW was all I could think. What a transformation.

Open any bb mag of any year going back decades. You'll see the women displayed as eye candy with small bikini's and seductive looks on their faces. This is nothing new, they just made a division of it now. Yes there are young girls in there that look the same as beach goers as nate points out, but in there there are also girls who train and work hard for their bodies. There are viewers/mag readers who prefer to see women with finely shaped bodies like figure or bikini over muscular women. And their are also viewers who like to see the muscle women stronger than the average man.

There is now a division for all tastes which in turn increases the viewership of the industry. This is what I think the IFBB had in mind when they created the bikini division. Increase the size and competitors as bodybuilding in general has taken a hit over the last decade. Especially the women division. Not so much as the competitors but those interested in them. Fitness, figure and bikini leaves the women bodybuilders far behind on marketability and successful promotion.

[natenator]

I wouldn rather watch girls in bathing suits than men in thongs any day.
same could be said for fatty powerlifters...

And it't not a thong. Posing trunks!

[natenator]

I'm going to chime in here. I felt much like the rest of you about the bikini division. There is a specific member here that changed my view. She goes under the handle metalchick.

Hardcore powerlifter (actually listens to rougher music than I do lol). She does a show in the bikini division and I post up pics. I didn't even know it was her until someone pointed it out. WOW was all I could think. What a transformation.

Open any bb mag of any year going back decades. You'll see the women displayed as eye candy with small bikini's and seductive looks on their faces. This is nothing new, they just made a division of it now. Yes there are young girls in there that look the same as beach goers as nate points out, but in there there are also girls who train and work hard for their bodies. There are viewers/mag readers who prefer to see women with finely shaped bodies like figure or bikini over muscular women. And their are also viewers who like to see the muscle women stronger than the average man.

There is now a division for all tastes which in turn increases the viewership of the industry. This is what I think the IFBB had in mind when they created the bikini division. Increase the size and competitors as bodybuilding in general has taken a hit over the last decade. Especially the woman division. Not so much as the competitors but those interested in them. Fitness, figure and bikini leaves the women bodybuilders far behind on marketability and successful promotion.
There always kind of was a "bikini" show. It was the bikini round for miss america, etc pagents.

[Talo]

same could be said for fatty powerlifters...

And it't not a thong. Posing trunks!


LOL .

I would rather watch women in swim wear than PL any day too , but i don't go to a powerlifting meet to just look them I go to see them lift heavy shit.

[MuSuLPhReAk]

There always kind of was a "bikini" show. It was the bikini round for miss america, etc pagents.

But the IFBB wasn't running it ;)

For the IFBB to survive and flourish, it has to make adjustments. Look how fast the other "fitness" organizations have come up. Look at the number of competitors. Unfortunately, the market for toned bodies and hot women is much much bigger than bodybuilding. Lot's of you can't take the fitness organizations seriously because, as I've seen written on the site, "the guys all look gay" and stuff like that. Yet they're all the ones on the mag covers, being splashed over articles and on posters.

The "freaks" of bodybuilding market is very few and the market is very small. It's the younger guys who are getting into bodybuilding. Most of them will train for a given number of years then lose interest or life gets in the way and move on. Very few stay hardcore bodybuilders most of their life.

I can go on and on about this. The end result is, for a better product, money is needed. That product being the IFBB as an organization and a promoting machine. For money to be created, they need to attract more competitors and more companies to take part. Incorporating powerlifting, strongman and whatever they can to expand and grow. Bikini is just an extra.

[Delt King]

But the IFBB wasn't running it ;)

For the IFBB to survive and flourish, it has to make adjustments. Look how fast the other "fitness" organizations have come up. Look at the number of competitors. Unfortunately, the market for toned bodies and hot women is much much bigger than bodybuilding. Lot's of you can't take the fitness organizations seriously because, as I've seen written on the site, "the guys all look gay" and stuff like that. Yet they're all the ones on the mag covers, being splashed over articles and on posters.

The "freaks" of bodybuilding market is very few and the market is very small. It's the younger guys who are getting into bodybuilding. Most of them will train for a given number of years then lose interest or life gets in the way and move on. Very few stay hardcore bodybuilders most of their life.

I can go on and on about this. The end result is, for a better product, money is needed. That product being the IFBB as an organization and a promoting machine. For money to be created, they need to attract more competitors and more companies to take part. Incorporating powerlifting, strongman and whatever they can to expand and grow. Bikini is just an extra.

Now that is a good summary of it all MP. Basically in the end money drives the market.

[steve_d]

@steve d

Well said. In over 8 years since I started competing in Figure before switching to bikini, I've held my tongue about what my opinion was about things I found no integrity in , within the realm of fitness and publicity for the sport that stemmed from passion for the sport itself, and not just the hype. That was my main issue with hype, not just for any particular show (You mentioned if I was hinting about the Canada's Nationals, results)

It's not any one show, or anyone person I'm referring to. It's the way some here in Canada within the fitness industry run their business; cliques and publicize more "poster childs"

Maybe "forced" was too harsh a word for many to feel comfortable reading. The #1 Canadian Fitness magazine didn't even mention any athletes that were Canadian females going to the NA's right after the Canada's....but if one of their "showcased athletes" were to have been competing, for sure they would have hyped it first on fB (as most hyping goes on there) and congratulated right away, and would have caused a big whoop for their athlete.

So, two of us girls won our pro cards and on Sunday when I plastered it on my fB wall with excitement and all of the fitness media's industry peeps - who will reply when I need to order photos or when I want to pay for rights to use photos, etc. for my promotion- didn't even leave me a message to say congrats.

It's just an unfairness I see happen to those that don't fall hostage to the "It's who you know" mentality or "schmoozing with the right people" to be in magazines. I, along with many competitors who are in the amaeture Canadian scene, just want the media to cover an athlete solely on their merit of being an consistent competitor over years of hard work and dedication in prolonging the sport of physique training for bodybuilding, fitness, figure and yes, now bikini...All very different looks ;D And my look never interested the magazines here enough to even get a one liner in the mag, even after many wins and 1st and 2nd placings (if so many years of competing goes under the media radar-it was because I didn't play the fame game and was humble and didn't try to get into magz to promo me.

I just competed because I loved competing. However, the hype of other federations who are getting publicized for shows not even connected to IFBB, which was the beginning federation and longest running of the sport, is what I'm speaking about...It's just about the fame and girls get into the sport solely for fame of what they can get from the exposure. And I just never competed this way before..but I'm happy and very happy to thank and be humble with the people that want to promote me for the talent first, and foremost.

people say bikini is not a sport, which I agree, and have said so in the past. I've said that if you can win based on genetics alone, it doesn't belong in the same league as the other events on the bodybuilding stage. Some will need to train to look awesome, and diet their asses off to win, but others don't and therefore if half the girls winning are simply genetically gifted, then it takes away from the thought of it being a sport. Like others said, you might be an exception coming from a figure background.

But part of the "sport" of bikini IS working for the hype and IS promoting yourself. If you are known because of all your hard work contacting photographers and getting the hype built on you then BRAVO. That is what bikini is all about basically. If you can win without all that, than even better. But I still don't think that changes based on the country your in. What if you didn't win in NA? Then what could you be saying now?

Basically I think I know what your saying...Canada isn't supporting you guys at the NAs. But I wouldn't say it was exclusive to you...I never heard anything promoted about anyone from canada who went to the NAs other than Loutfi on MD. Larry Vinette and renaldo gairy might fall in the category of "in the loop" so to speak based on canadian media, but its not like anyone was covering them all week leading up to NAs...The NAs are just that, every year, its not a huge hyped up show in canada on facebook...but why should it be?

I guess I am just not sure who you're referring to that would have gotten the attention from inside fitness...Can you name any canadian that would have gotten more hype had they won the NAs? Who cares about hype anyway, its a bit hypocritical for you to say you did this sport on your own without media, but then when you win, you ask that they recognize. I say stick to the grass roots of it all. Stay under the radar, compete for the fun of it, and don't give a crap about the media, because if you do, then you fall in the same category as the people you are putting down for going to other organizations for exposure. WHICH I have no problem with...Being on the cover of a magazine month after month can mean WAY more to many people than winning a trophy. Personally, if I were a girl, and good at bikini, I'd much rather have hype over me and see myself in all the adds and posters than to compete at some pro bikini show.

[JonnyO]

I agree with P22, bikini is a joke. It's a money maker pure and simple. The majority of these girls do not even look like they train hard at all, this is why I enjoy the physiques of Figure, they have that nice balance muscle tone and definition while maintaining a very feminine look. You say they want some women to be bigger? Hell they tell that to me and P22 and were supers and heavyweights...dont see us complaining, go do the work and add some muscle plain and simple, and dont tell me you dont want to get TOO BIG, lol. At the Olympia Bikini is a side show.

And what was with the comment about your husband training in the movie industry and you meeting some actors? Big deal, whats your point?

If your competing because you have passion for the "sport|and all that then who cares if you do not get any support or get recognition for it and not contacted from any Cdn mags or companies? You do it for yourself right? lol.

[fitnessbyzara]

But part of the "sport" of bikini IS working for the hype and IS promoting yourself. If you are known because of all your hard work contacting photographers and getting the hype built on you then BRAVO. That is what bikini is all about basically. If you can win without all that, than even better. But I still don't think that changes based on the country your in. What if you didn't win in NA? Then what could you be saying now?

Basically I think I know what your saying...Canada isn't supporting you guys at the NAs. But I wouldn't say it was exclusive to you...I never heard anything promoted about anyone from canada who went to the NAs other than Loutfi on MD. Larry Vinette and renaldo gairy might fall in the category of "in the loop" so to speak based on canadian media, but its not like anyone was covering them all week leading up to NAs...The NAs are just that, every year, its not a huge hyped up show in canada on facebook...but why should it be?

I guess I am just not sure who you're referring to that would have gotten the attention from inside fitness...Can you name any canadian that would have gotten more hype had they won the NAs? Who cares about hype anyway, its a bit hypocritical for you to say you did this sport on your own without media, but then when you win, you ask that they recognize. I say stick to the grass roots of it all. Stay under the radar, compete for the fun of it, and don't give a crap about the media, because if you do, then you fall in the same category as the people you are putting down for going to other organizations for exposure. WHICH I have no problem with...Being on the cover of a magazine month after month can mean WAY more to many people than winning a trophy. Personally, if I were a girl, and good at bikini, I'd much rather have hype over me and see myself in all the adds and posters than to compete at some pro bikini show.

Thanks for the reply steve d.

I guess I've seen too many new girls in the industry, that have no idea of the foundations of pre-comp dieting & training 7 days a week for 3-6 months straight to transform their good genetics to make them quality physiques in a Pro level. This is how I came to Bikini from figure...trained by a bodybuilder (from my first taking to figure in 2002) I learned the basics of training and discipline to the sport came from my bodybuilding friend/mentor.

The reason I kept pushing through with out the hype, was to prove that the training and hard work and preparation and dialing in my physique up until the last week and days til the show, is not by chance or by luck of having good genetics for bikini. It's from learning from trail and error over the years I've competed and building the physique I present now.

Too many new girls fall to the pressure mentality (i know because I coach some of them) of needing to get noticed by augmenting their bodies even, to place higher in shows. As women we are not only judged on our physique that can be changed by training, but we are also judged on our sexual attributes (T n A) but that's why I refused to change any part of my body surgically to look more marketable to the fitness industry both in the states and Canada. We also feel the pressure to act all clingy and cliquish with photographers and media reps that work for publicity to get noticed. I'm one for changing this standard. I don't believe the industry should publicize those that only know good schmoozing skills especially in Bikini. I like being the athlete first, the girl in heels, second. Sure one can look all pretty and cute and flirt with the judges, but I stand for also having the x-factor plus lean conditioning factor, as the basis for the judging first.

and as far as me wanting promo now that I won at the NA's. The NA's is a bigger show and should be talked about in the Canadian fitness media, not more then but at least, the same way the other federations are getting publicized in IFM - because of it including the whole continent as opposed to just competing against Canadian athletes. I just want the representation to be fair, publicity for all Canadian Athletes who do well in the sport and not just the ones who have better marketing skills, etc. Grass roots is right, and I'm FOR the change I want to see in the sport, and what is being promoted.

Can you imagine, if they judged guys with great size, symmetry, posing, conditioning PLUS the size of their package in the posing trunks? lol I've always wondered why the bikini girls with the big implants get noticed first when we never judge the guys this way. lol But that would make the men insecure, no? Just like many of our bikini, figure,fitness girls are judged on the "other" physique attibutes that they are born with. That's why the triumph of winning a bikini at the North American Level show with zero boobs on me, but a great physique, is kudos I received from American peeps and I'm very proud of that :)

[tiramisu]

Rachel McClish is a lot closer to the bikini division than the bodybuilding as things go.
From what I've seen of bikini so far this year in the U.S. it's not the terrible thing that many have made it out to be. I'm annoyed that it has caused the bodybuilding judging to be inappropriately rushed in several cases but the class itself seems to have enough merit to keep it going and see how it pans out.

I also freely admit that I'm far more likely to get up and get a coffee when bikini starts but that's simply because it's not my sport. If it was the triple jump I would go for a walk as well.

Oh and Please shoot the ****er who decided to put the Masters and Junior National bodybuilding with Bikini in a different location from the regular nationals. First kick the sob, then shoot.

[fitnessbyzara]

And what was with the comment about your husband training in the movie industry and you meeting some actors? Big deal, whats your point?

If your competing because you have passion for the "sport|and all that then who cares if you do not get any support or get recognition for it and not contacted from any Cdn mags or companies? You do it for yourself right? lol.

And what was with the comment about your husband training in the movie industry and you meeting some actors? Big deal, whats your point?



I do (and have been since 2002) and I did do it for myself to show that it can be done the way I did it...I wanted to show, mainly for the girls getting into bikini that they don't have to succumb to the pressure of the industry.

I realize that some of you don't see the difference as I would..from the point of view of someone who switched from Figure to Bikini..some of the photographers try to act "big time" and make the girls believe that they have to be a certain way to shoot with them, or get into the hot and fit, by who knows who, etc. And for some girls, who don't have stronger minds, this can mess them up. I've heard it from many new competitors (more that are afraid to speak out because of not getting into mags) and I'm not afraid of that.

I hate bullies of all types and always try to educate the new girls and show them that you don't have to be an industry slave to win or be recognized for the athlete you are. Someone will promote your work ethic and professionalism, even when others only want to use you and try to mess up your mind with painting the picture of the industry as all about glam. It's because we let them continue to monopolize the environment with their connections and the threat of not being in a mag hangs over their head if they don't schmooze with the crews.

The mention of my husband in the fb note was for my fB friends and to show that some people know some really big wigs, and some photographers that are running media images on the magazines in Canada, just ACT like big wigs..so I was basically telling them to get over themselves. You may be a big time photographer in the canadian scene but internationally and even North american-wise, they're not that big time that new competitors need to be afraid of not getting on their good side. The many actors I've met and train with along with my husband are soo big time and even their egos aren't as inflated as high as some Canadian fitness Media/photographer reps are...I was basically telling them to stop acting so big time we are all just people doing what we love to do..no big time egos needed. :) thats all, the mention was for.

[JonnyO]

I do (and have been since 2002) and I did do it for myself to show that it can be done the way I did it...I wanted to show, mainly for the girls getting into bikini that they don't have to succumb to the pressure of the industry.

I realize that some of you don't see the difference as I would..from the point of view of someone who switched from Figure to Bikini..some of the photographers try to act "big time" and make the girls believe that they have to be a certain way to shoot with them, or get into the hot and fit, by who knows who, etc. And for some girls, who don't have stronger minds, this can mess them up. I've heard it from many new competitors (more that are afraid to speak out because of not getting into mags) and I'm not afraid of that.

I hate bullies of all types and always try to educate the new girls and show them that you don't have to be an industry slave to win or be recognized for the athlete you are. Someone will promote your work ethic and professionalism, even when others only want to use you and try to mess up your mind with painting the picture of the industry as all about glam. It's because we let them continue to monopolize the environment with their connections and the threat of not being in a mag hangs over their head if they don't schmooze with the crews.

The mention of my husband in the fb note was for my fB friends and to show that some people know some really big wigs, and some photographers that are running media images on the magazines in Canada, just ACT like big wigs..so I was basically telling them to get over themselves. You may be a big time photographer in the canadian scene but internationally and even North american-wise, they're not that big time that new competitors need to be afraid of not getting on their good side. The many actors I've met and train with along with my husband are soo big time and even their egos aren't as inflated as high as some Canadian fitness Media/photographer reps are...I was basically telling them to stop acting so big time we are all just people doing what we love to do..no big time egos needed. :) thats all, the mention was for.

Ok now i can see where your coming from. And just so you know, my opinion of the bikini division is just that, my opinion so dont take it personally. Who knows maybe in a few years I will not mind it. I couldnt stand it when figure was introduced but now I dont mind it all that much, as long as the BBer's go before them in shows.

[Andre Gregoire]

I have nothing against the bikini division but I really wish they would not bundle bikini with the bodybuilding shows. Maybe make bodybuilding events and the figure & bikini events.

I take issue with the IFBB calling the bikini competitors IFBB Pro's after all the BB stands for bodybuilder.

I also take issue with money going towards the olympia bikini competitors flights and hotels and none going to the 202 guys.

[steve_d]

I have nothing against the bikini division but I really wish they would not bundle bikini with the bodybuilding shows. Maybe make bodybuilding events and the figure & bikini events.


At nationals other than this year, it was like that...I am sure it will be like that again - ie, figure, fitness, bikini all in one. Bodybuilding, men&women at the other. As for non-national shows - well you kinda have to keep them together from a financial point of view...Renting venues, getting judges, etc.

[steve_d]

Thanks for the reply steve d.

I guess I've seen too many new girls in the industry, that have no idea of the foundations of pre-comp dieting & training 7 days a week for 3-6 months straight to transform their good genetics to make them quality physiques in a Pro level. This is how I came to Bikini from figure...trained by a bodybuilder (from my first taking to figure in 2002) I learned the basics of training and discipline to the sport came from my bodybuilding friend/mentor.

The reason I kept pushing through with out the hype, was to prove that the training and hard work and preparation and dialing in my physique up until the last week and days til the show, is not by chance or by luck of having good genetics for bikini. It's from learning from trail and error over the years I've competed and building the physique I present now.

Too many new girls fall to the pressure mentality (i know because I coach some of them) of needing to get noticed by augmenting their bodies even, to place higher in shows. As women we are not only judged on our physique that can be changed by training, but we are also judged on our sexual attributes (T n A) but that's why I refused to change any part of my body surgically to look more marketable to the fitness industry both in the states and Canada. We also feel the pressure to act all clingy and cliquish with photographers and media reps that work for publicity to get noticed. I'm one for changing this standard. I don't believe the industry should publicize those that only know good schmoozing skills especially in Bikini. I like being the athlete first, the girl in heels, second. Sure one can look all pretty and cute and flirt with the judges, but I stand for also having the x-factor plus lean conditioning factor, as the basis for the judging first.

and as far as me wanting promo now that I won at the NA's. The NA's is a bigger show and should be talked about in the Canadian fitness media, not more then but at least, the same way the other federations are getting publicized in IFM - because of it including the whole continent as opposed to just competing against Canadian athletes. I just want the representation to be fair, publicity for all Canadian Athletes who do well in the sport and not just the ones who have better marketing skills, etc. Grass roots is right, and I'm FOR the change I want to see in the sport, and what is being promoted.

Can you imagine, if they judged guys with great size, symmetry, posing, conditioning PLUS the size of their package in the posing trunks? lol I've always wondered why the bikini girls with the big implants get noticed first when we never judge the guys this way. lol But that would make the men insecure, no? Just like many of our bikini, figure,fitness girls are judged on the "other" physique attibutes that they are born with. That's why the triumph of winning a bikini at the North American Level show with zero boobs on me, but a great physique, is kudos I received from American peeps and I'm very proud of that :)

Zara, I am a fan of yours - and I hope you do well as a pro. I also hope your values of the sport will bring you the success you want (ie, not falling to the pressures, etc, of playing the 'game'). I will also point out that I agree with you in that it sucks that to succeed, normally requires playing that game. But that is a fact of life in almost everything. For example, careers...Well, I could have the best education, but not get the best job just because I don't know someone...I think this is big for teachers, nurses, etc. Even personally, my job sort of just fell in my lap - and I am the first to admit I got lucky. I deserve my job from an education standpoint, but I was lucky how it fell to me. For yourself, you may totally deserve to be a pro - but you are also lucky to be one...1 different judge on that panel favoring boobs and it might have been the 2nd place finisher winning.

PS: I truly do think you know everything I am saying is true. I saw it in the way you had your interview with Palumbo. I saw it on MD, and thought to myself, she genuinely feels lucky to be a Pro.

Good luck!

[fitfanatik]

Superheavies 2nd callouthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYv54ipWjsg

[Ron Partlow]

Superheavies 2nd callouthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYv54ipWjsg

Man...those quarter turns are brutally fast. Do they even see us?

[BigGuns21]

Man...those quarter turns are brutally fast. Do they even see us?

Fastest I've ever seen! It honestly looked like it was mandatory but they didn't want to do it or something, like they were just appeasing you guys. You know, considering most of the judges were competitors at some level, they seem to quickly forget how much time, work and sacrifice everyone puts in to bringing their best to the stage. Give the competitors the time to make it feel like a years worth of grueling lifestyle was worth more than 30 seconds.

[fitfanatik]

Man...those quarter turns are brutally fast. Do they even see us?

awe buddy...i dont even wanna go there! I think the 1st two rows/center should judge...at least 21 opions would be more fair.

The figure /fit/bikini needs to be held on another weekend, cus the judges obviously are overwhelmed. Way tooo fast...

Ron Partlowhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Feu-3V2MM70

Abbashttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srUA0bk4f_U

Keithhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maEroLfXaNE

Toddhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=211AnmYvHTg

1st CALLOUT!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLYqZ9iCtZs

things that make you go hmmmm

[fitfanatik]

SUPERHEAVY-2ND CALL-OUThttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOHFiEU0AKY

[JonnyO]

This must be something new...speed callouts.