In the midst of one most jam-packed contest schedule in history, August kicks off with Dexter Jackson’s Jacksonville Pro in sunny north Florida. Proving to be as a great a promoter as a bodybuilder, Dexter puts on a top notch event that is pleasure for athletes, media, and fans alike. It’s in a great theater located at the University of North Florida and Dexter runs a tightly organized, yet fun and relaxing show. The Jacksonville Pro has grown to three divisions this year: Men’s Under-202 bodybuilding, figure, and bikini. This is an interesting mix and an entertaining combination. It allows us, as the media, to give more attention to these divisions that might otherwise get overlooked in jam-packed show. And for all of you RX GIRL fans, it puts the ladies front and center and the IFBB Figure and Bikini Pros have come out in large numbers. With 35 figure pros and 17 bikini pros scheduled to appear, the line-ups are deep and the talent is large. Along with Rx Muscle’s own Sally Taylor, I sat down and sifted through the names in an attempt to preview and predict the action to come in Jacksonville.
IFBB PRO FIGURE
With last year’s Jacksonville Pro Figure winner Jessica Putnam switching to bikini for 2010, the door opens for a new champion who will rise out of one of the deepest and most competitive figure lineups of the year. In fact, there are only 4 competitors returning from last year out of a field of 35 - the most notable being Alicia Harris coming off of a 17th place finish at the Arnold and looking for redemption as well as a qualifying Olympia spot.
Making her highly anticipated pro debut is Ava Cowan, coming off her win at the 2009 NPC Nationals and earning her card after only 2 shows. Don’t let her brief (NPC) contest history fool you - Ava’s polished physique and stage presence rivals that of a seasoned figure pro and she could very well be the force to be reckoned with in Jacksonville.
Another newcomer to the pro figure scene is Kathleen Tesori who also earned her pro card at the 2009 NPC Nationals. Kathleen made her pro debut at the 2010 Phoenix Pro show with a 15th place finish, and now looks to Jacksonville to prove she can hold her own in this highly competitive field. She recently graced the cover of M&F Hers and is quickly becoming a well known face in the industry.
Josie Zamora impressed judges in her pro debut at this year’s New York Pro, finishing just short of an Olympia qualification in 4th Place. She won the overall at the Jr Nationals just two months ago and still might not have hit her peak. This experience will likely give Josie an edge when she steps on stage in Jacksonville to win the Olympia qualification she came so close to in New York.
Team Bombshell member Gennifer Strobo also comes to Jacksonville gunning for first place. She was disappointed and off her best at the NY Pro Figure and still managed to grab fifth. She already qualified for the Olympia with a 3rd place finish at the Pittsburgh Pro this year and will most likely break the top 3 again in Jacksonville. The key for Gen is to stay full and fight her skinny genetics; at her best she is a threat for first.
Rounding out the notables in this lineup is Candace Keene, fresh off her win at the 2010 Europa Battle of Champions in Hartford, where she blew the competition away with over 15 points on the score sheet. Candace is gearing up to make another clean sweep and looks to be the woman to beat in this year’s Jacksonville lineup. A great shape and beauty to match; let’s see if she can hold her conditioning with a two week lull between shows.
IFBB PRO BIKINI
On paper, this is going to be a two lady battle between perennial bride’s maid Jaime Baird and last year’s figure champion at this show, Jessica Putnam. Odd that the champion would change divisions, but many would agree that Jessica has a frame much slighter then her figure peers and might better fit the new bikini division. We know she will be in shape and has cover model looks, but it’s hard for the figure crossovers to nail the right stage presence for bikini.
Jaime is here for one reason: To get her first pro win that is long overdue. With curves for days and stage swagger to match, its Jaime’s show if she can deliver the same physique and attitude we saw in Orlando, Pittsburgh and Tampa earlier this year.
Coming in with the most momentum has to be Ali Rosen in her pro-debut just one week after winning the overall title and her pro-card at the NPC USA. The improvements she made from the Jr. Nationals to the USA were remarkable and a few industry insiders commented that she still hasn’t come close to her full potential. If she can bring the same confidence to the IFBB stage she had as an amateur, Ali will be in the mix for the top 3 and a trip to the Olympia.
Another threat is a familiar face with some new moves. Dina Al Sabah proved that age is just a number in her bikini debut in Tampa and now working with new coaches at Team Bombshell, she should have the improved stage moves to match her physique.
Speaking of Bombshells, Vanessa Campbell and Jessica Jessie will both be entering their second pro competitions. Finishing third in Tampa and second in Hartford respectfully, both these ladies are already qualified for the O but want a win and the check that comes with it. Their teammate Diana Fields will be appearing in her third pro-show and also has proved she is top 3 material. Now that the competition has stiffened, these ladies are really going to prove what they have.
We also have to keep an eye on Alea Suarez who keeps making improvements as well as Kat Holmes, who keeps trimming down her lower half bit by bit and coming into her own. In fact each lady in this line-up has Top-5 potential proving that the new division is hot and stacked. I’m expecting the bikini show to be the most hotly contested and entertaining portion of the 2010 Dexter Jackson classic.
STAY TUNED TO RX MUSCLE ALL WEEKEND FOR A LIVE PLAY BY PLAY FROM PRE-JUDIGING & FINALS ALONG WITH PHOTOS AND VIDEO OF ALL COMPETITORS!
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