The 2010 IFBB NY Pro Figure is less than a week away (July 9-10) and that means its prediction time. If you haven't heard, the show is taking place in Hackensack, NJ at a gorgeous venue selected by promoter Steve Weinberger. While we are all going to miss the Tribecca Performing Arts Center in downtown Manhattan, the new location allows for affordable accommodations and easier airport access. It’s no big deal to any New Yorker…the Jets and Giants have been playing in New Jersey for about 30 years (26 for the Jets and 34 for the Giants).
As I sat down to pen out my predictions, I looked around for someone to offer an alternate opinion and I surely wasn’t going to find it on the Rx Muscle staff (meatheads!). I needed a real expert and who better than Hardbody.com’s own Isaac Hinds. Isaac sees every pro show from behind the lens of his camera and he has seen every competitor that will take the stage. Luckily for me, he is willing to offer his insights into what is going to be a huge figure line-up with about 30 competitors.
Here is what Isaac had to say about the show:
This show is a one of the top events for the women. It's one of the rare opportunities for amateur women to compete with the pros on the same stage, at the same event. There have been many past champions for the Team Universe who have gone on and done well. The current Figure Olympia champ, Nicole Wilkins-Lee took home top honors in the figure and fitness event. Cross-overs are no longer allowed in this show though. Last year Missy Coles, Monica Mark and Kayde Puckett took home the overall titles in their respective classes, who will it be this year? Steve and Bev do a tremendous job with the show and it will be my first time heading to New Jersey. I'm looking forward to it.
Be sure to check out HARDBODY and Rx MUSCLE's RX GIRL for up to the minute coverage of the entire show.
NY PRO FIGURE PREDICTIONS
ISAA
C’s TOP 5:
Three women already qualified for the Olympia will likely be your top contenders; at least they are on paper. Flip a coin on where they will place.
1. Gennifer Strobo - Look for Gen to get her first win here. She's added some size to her frame since turning pro. The Florida momma will look to build some momentum heading into the Olympia.
2. Marcy Porter - Marcy has a new physique this year and by cutting out some stress in her personal life she's shown that she can be a top contender in any show. She still needs to work on her stage presence but if she has that in place she'll be top three here.
3. Cheryl "Brownie" Brown - A number of people feel Cheryl will win this show and she could based on her previous showings. She switched up her training and prep at the end of last year and is finding a formula that works for her. She'll definitely be in the mix and I would be surprised to see her win the show.
4. Terri Turner has taken some time off to give her body a rest and some time off. This will be her biggest test as a pro. We'll see what last year's Jr. Nationals' Figure champ can bring to the table.
5. Holly Beck - Holly showed tremendous potential at the Pittsburgh Pro and has a great physique. This rookie could land in the top callout here.
Wild Cards : Jelena Abbou - Jelena competed in the bikini division earlier this year but is back to Figure. Personally, I like her better in the bikini division but we'll see how she looks here. She's a stunning woman without a doubt, it's just a question of where her physique fits. There are a few rookies who could shake things up in this event. Kat Ramirez has a great physique and will be one to keep an eye on. Gina Trochiano also has a very nice physique and could be in the mix for her debut. Nicole Coleman will also be making her pro debut and with her powerlifting background should have more than enough muscle to hang here. All three women turned pro last year at the Team Universe contest, kinda cool to return to the same contest as a pro. Kimmy Trowbridge needs to come in tighter from the backside in her debut.
SEAN’S TOP 5:
1. Gennifer Strobo: she’s been continually improving since turning pro and I have a feeling she picked this show for a reason (don’t worry…I’ll ask). Gen just has a perfect balance of size, conditioning, and stage presence. It won’t be easy, but I pick her to come out on top.
2. Cheryl Brown: Cheryl beat Gen in Pittsburgh in May, but I think the tables will turn here. Cheryl has 4 top 3 finishes as a pro and she gained her IFBB status less than a year ago. I’m banking on Gen being her best and winning for her more statuesque figure….if Gen is off, Cheryl will take it.
3. Marcy Porter: after stunning us all with a completely revamped physique and getting second in Orlando, Marcy proved she is force to stay with her fourth place in a tough Pittsburgh line-up.
4. Terri Turner: 2009 Jr. Nationals Champ finished 5th at last year’s Kentucky Pro and is looking to grab and Olympia qualification. If my predictions are correct, these top 3 ladies are already qualified and the next bid will go to fourth place. I loved her physique when she turned pro and I expect her first year in the IFBB taught some lessons.
5. Tivisay Briceno: always knocking on the door of the top 5, Tivisay finished 6th at this year’s Pittsburgh Pro. She seems to be competing less than last year and I think the extra rest will allow her to come in a little fuller. If she puts it all together, the Top 5 is within reach.
*Wild Cards: Gina Trochiano this 2009 Team U class winner makes her pro-debut this weekend. She has a great structure and I love the look she had turning pro. If she can bring that same shape and condition with a little added muscle, expect a great debut. Ann Titone is looking to bounce back after some disappointing finishes early in 2010; she’s a hard worker and determined to get in the Top 5. Last but not least, I heard a rumor that Dana Fallacara is in the show just two weeks after turning pro at the Jr. Nationals. She’s tightened up and somehow improved in that short period of time….she could surprise some veterans.
2010 NPC TEAM UNIVERSE
We can’t forget about the amateur’s in what is one the most hotly contested NPC figure shows of the year. With two pro-cards on the line for each class (12 total), a ton of ladies will show up fighting to leave an IFBB Pro. And now that the venue/hotels are more accessible and affordable, look for even more competitors.
Making predictions for an amateur show is just short of impossible; we have no idea who will show up and what they will look like when they get there. But we both keep our ears to the street and a few names and pictures occasional make their way to our respect Inbox’s. Here are some ladies to watch out for that will be taking the stage on July 10
Isaac’s NPC Watch List:
I don't have a competitor list so I'm going off from who I've heard is in the show and by no means is this an accurate depiction of who is competing.
Mandy Henderson will be one to watch in the Figure A Class. She's bringing in a tighter physique and smaller booty than Jr. Nationals.
Look for her and Tiana Gonzalez to go one and two in this class. You never know when a shorty will come out of nowhere though. Gale Elie will return to the stage after some time off. She's been a consist top five National competitor and should be in the mix in her class. Joanne Murphy has a nice look and was a standout at the NPC Jr. Nationals last month. Look for her to be in a top callout. Shelly Albetta presented a nice look at the Jr. Nationals and could be a contender here. Tara Green will look to move up from Chicago and has a good chance for a top two spot. Patty Matone Zariello will be a blonde beauty to watch in the figure division.
Look for a number of bikini competitors to heat up the stage in Jersey. Colorado will have a number of women making the trip who could be in the mix. Look for Yvonne Vaicius and Lindsey Svetits in the taller classes. The Arnold Amateur Bikini champ, Chady Dunmore will look to keep her winning streak alive as she competes in bikini.
Kristal Martin will have one of the best booties on stage. If she presents herself well look for her to leave a pro. Vanessa Campbell could be the one leaving with the overall title at the Team U. She has an exotic look and was the NPC PA overall winner. Nicole Nagrani is another one to watch in the bikini division she was the overall NY Metropolitan Bikini winner. Holly Huizinga trains with Nicole Wilkins- Lee and has been on the rise her last couple of shows. Sandra Fields will make the switch from fitness to bikini and will turn a few heads.
Nola June is another one who made a splash in Chicago and could be a top contender here.
Fitness we'll likely see the same cast that was at the Jr. Nationals event.
Sean’s NPC Watch List:
*Tiana Gonzalez (Class A): coming off a second place at the Jr. Nationals, Tiana is poised to turn pro in Jersey. She brings a tiny waist and striking looks….I hear she’s tightened up a bit since Chicago.
*Allison Frahn (Class B): 2009 Eastern USA Champs makes her National debut at the Team U. She’ll be in amazing shape, but always risks being too hard. I expect her to take the class.
*Jen Smythe (Class B): Jen finished 4th at the 2009 USA’s and 3rd at the 2009 National
s, so she’s been close to the top and will be ready to take home a pro-card. Jen always presents herself impeccably and provides a nice balance of shape and condition.
*Carolyn Sessa (Class B): She finished fourth here last year and the three girls that beat her have all turned pro. Carolyn is going to have to bring her best physique to date to edge out the other two ladies I mentioned. I saw her progress photos from one week out and she’s right on track.
*Jen Ruoss (Class D): Another second place finisher at the Junior Nationals, this will be only her second National show and with a little experience now under her belt she will be tough to beat. She has an amazing structure and beautiful presentation.
*Charmayne Jackson (Class D): she placed 3rd at the 2009 Team Universe and 
according to her coach, Shannon Dey, she is much improved.
*Elizabeth Earhart (Class E): After a few close calls, this should be her time to get the coveted pro-card. Second at the 2009 Jr. Nationals and 3rd in 2010, she’s proven to be a top competitor. She needs to tighten up a little from the form she brought to Chicago and display the shape she had in winning the 2010 NY Metropolitans.
*Kristen Nagrani (Class F): 2010 NPC Pittsburgh overall champ has been training hard and I expect she will improve from her previous best. The Pittsburgh always creates pros and Kristen should be the first of the year.
Bikini looks to be just as stacked and I got word that Team Bombshell is bringing a crew of ladies that will lead the pack. Ali Rosen (second at Jr. Nationals) and Vanessa Campbell (NPC Pittsburgh Champ.) are two names to look out for…both should leave as IFBB Pros. There is also 18 year old Nicole Nagrani, who won the Bikini Overall at the NY Metropolitans this year. It could be the first time a mother – daughter turned pro on the same day.
Just as Isaac mentioned, the fitness division should be a lot of the same competitors that we saw in Chicago. One new face is Taryn Rut, who just won the Tracy Greenwood Classic. I also got word that a few girls trained by Tanji Johnson will be competing, including former Emerald Cup Champion Cinzia Clapp.
That’s it for our predictions. Isaac and Sean will both attending the show and you can file any grievances or oversights in the complaint box. We are looking forward to a great show….if you can’t make it to NJ, HARDBODY and Rx MUSCLE's RX GIRL will make sure you don’t miss a thing!
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