Yesterday I put up my predictions for the Ms Figure and Bikini Olympia. Today, I want to talk about the Men's and Women's Physique Olympia Showdown. This is the first year both of these divisions have been at the Olympia. History will be made as a new man and woman will be crowned as Mr and Ms Physique Olympia.
Men's Physique
There are a lot of great competitors and looks in this Olympia Class. Everyone has their favorite and everyone anticipates the first winner. My judgements are based on the fact that I am a fan. As a fan, I think there are certain looks that have what it takes for the winning recipe. Secondly, I try to group similar physiques around the people I think will be winners. Bigger guys will match up with bigger guys and smaller guys will match up with smaller guys.
Without further ado.
6. Matt Action.
Winning the Toronto Pro and coming in 3rd at the New York Pro gives Matt some acclaim coming into this Olympia. One might ask why I don't have Anton in front of Matt. I have to say I just like Matt's look better than Anton's (even though Anton beat Matt at the New York Pro). Matt has a pretty good fan following and I think his look matches up well with some of the guys in the 4-6 position.
5. Matt Christianer
Here is a men's physique pro I actually know. Christianer is from the West Coast and his most recent victory came at the LA Grand Prix. What is notable about this victory is that Matt beat Mark Anthony at this show. This makes Christainer really one of the only people in my top 6 with a victory over the would be champ. Christainer's look matches up with Matt Action and Jason Poston who will be coming up next!
4. Jason Poston
Here is a guy who could easily win this show. However, if Jason is to win the Olympia, it is more likely that Christainer and Action will follow suit in 2 and 3 due to their physiques being similar to one another. Having only qualified on points doesn't take away from Jason's striking physique. He has a great look and his physique flows really well. I think Jason will tighten up a bit more from the Valienti Gold where he left the door open for other competitors.
3. Steve Cook
What's not to like about this guy? Former college football player with a science degree meets board shorts, hair styles and smiles. At 6'1" and around 210lbs, Steve is one of the bigger guys in this Olympia. He matches up well with Sadik and Mark to round out the top three. I do think that Steve can make a play on 2nd place and challenge Sadik, but I think Sadik's flowing locks will prove to be too much! We have not heard too much from Steve in the past year, after winning the Houston Pro early in the season, he has not competed. While he doesn't have the momentum, I do believe Steve will have the look to crack the top three at this year's Olympia Showdown.
2. Sadik Hadzovic
While I can't pronounce his last name accurately, I do have Sadik in 2nd place for this Olympia Showdown. After placing 4th at the Pittsburgh Pro (behind Jason Poston and Mark Anthony), Sadik manned up and took a win at arguably one of the most prestigious shows in the IFBB, the New York Pro. Sadik, being one of the larger guys in the division matches well with Steve and Mark. I give the edge to Sadik because of those flowing locks. Something about guys and long hair that just makes them stand out in board shorts. Granted, he doesn't have dreads (which would ice him for the winner in my eyes) but his longer hair is appreciated by this fan!
1. Mark "Flex" Anthony.
Trinni born and domiciled in Las Vegas, I believe Mark will take home the first ever men's physique Olympia Showdown victory. After seeing him on stage a couple times, there isn't a guy out there who can match his stage presence and confidence. If Mohammad Ali were a Men's Physique competitor - he would be Mark Anthony. Mark had a lackluster showing at the LA Grand Prix where he came in with a softer look and came in 5th place. He rallied himself like a true champion and won the Pittsburgh Pro a little over a month later. Not only did Mark win, but he came in with the world class conditioning that it will take to be Mr. Physique Olympia.
Women's Physique
There are 16 women in the field of competitors at the 2013 Women's Physique Showdown. Making a prediction in this division is difficult because each of these 16 women has a different and unique look. As a result, it’s hard to match up their physiques. It has long been my personal stance that the WPD should be defined by a smaller, sleeker, look as opposed to a larger, more ripped body. Therefore, my picks are based on this “yours truly” standard.
6. Juliana Malacarne
I can hear the ruckus now. Quite honestly, it took a lot of nerve for me to put Juliana in 6th place. Knocking on the door I could see Sara Hurley or Mikaila Soto in this position. So, why would I place Juliana Malacarne in 6th position, you ask? Her muscle bellies are quite possibly the roundest I have seen of any women competitor in history. She isn't big when you see her in person, but on stage she looks almost bodybuilderish. While her legs, glutes, hams, shoulder caps may all be very impressive, they are also overdone. Also, from videos I have watched of Juliana on stage, she seems a little shaky and/or nervous. Part of what will make someone a champion here will be an undeniable stage presence. I do not think Juliana has that.
5. Karin Hobbs
While Karin isn't too muscular, she definitely looks feminine and athletic all at the same time. Having qualified on points and not placing higher than 3rd all year, I believe Karin will pull everything together in this show. Her posing and presentation is highly exceptional. She needs to tighten up her conditioning just a bit from the last time she was on stage and if she does that, 5th place can be a very real possibility.
4. Patricia Mello
I like the way she moves. Patricia has a very solid stage presence and a beautiful flow to her physique. Unlike the other two Brazilians in this competition, Patricia is not overly muscled or shredded. She has a very nice structure and one that can be appreciated as not overdone. With two wins this season (LA Grand Prix in April and Europa Show of Champions) she has the most wins of any competitor this season. I could easily see Patricia finishing higher than this, but 4th is where I would put her in this lineup.
3. Toni West
I've said before that I think Toni West can win the entire show and she still could. What I like about her is her symmetry. She has muscles but the flow makes it look less dominant than some of the other competitors in this division. The thing about Toni and her muscle is that it’s not shredded or super ripped. She has a great muscular base that can look conditioned without being overly striated. Combined that with her overall look and professional stage presence and that translates to 3rd place in my book. After winning the Toronto Pro and finishing 3rd in New York, I feel it‘s Toni who’ll walk away with 3rd here.
2. Dana Linn Bailey
A lot of people wrote Dana off after getting last callout at the New York Pro last year. I always knew she had something special for this division. She showed it at the Tampa Pro and Dallas Europa (finishing 2nd and 1st). I half expect the roof of the expo hall to blow off when she walks on stage. Dana may be the most anticipated (male or female) competitor of the entire weekend. One of the best things about Dana is her muscle isn't overdone. She shows up in phenomenal shape but doesn't look to be super shredded or ripped (a good thing). She is at the correct level of conditioning for this division. Another huge plus for her is that she’s has figured out how to hide their flaws better than anyone else in the class; a huge advantage when standing in the lineup.
1. Sabrina Taylor
Former fitness-turned-figure competitor and lifetime gymnastics aficionado Sabrina Taylor will take home the gold. Sabrina has a petite frame and the muscle she’s packed onto it isn't overboard, too inflated or thick. Her waist is nonexistent and her v-taper is amongst the best in the entire division. She is the only 2x best poser award winner and she nails her stage presence each and every time she graces the posing dais. Her routines are fun, energetic and exciting to watch. Sabrina qualified with a win at the Titan's Grand Prix and has beaten several of the other top WPD competitors. All these reasons might sound like a pretty strong argument; however, the lawyer in me must save my best argument for last. Sabrina Taylor is my girlfriend. I have to live, eat, and sleep next to her every night. She wins; case closed!
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