IFBB Wings Of Strength (Chicago Pro) 2012 results added

Juuli 3, 2012

In pro scene there seem to be no such thing as summer vacation and so the pro circus rolls on! During the becoming weekend, July 7th - 8th, totally nearly 80 pro competitors in 5 divisions (men's open BB, men's -212 BB, women's open BB, women's figure, women's physique division) will enter Chicago Pro show promoted by Tim Gardner - http://www.chicagopr...w.com/index.htm . The winners of the divisions (except women's physique division) will qualify to the 2012 Olympia.

Juuli 3, 2012

The competitor lists are out - http://www.ifbbpro.c...m-extravaganza/

Some notes:

Men's open BB line up looks pretty weak this time as well, interesting to see how Erik Fankhouser, who makes his 2012 debut, will do this time though. At any case, he is a clear pre-show-favorite here.

This show has not tempted any superior stars of -212 category. Ahmad Ahmad started to work with George Farah after his a bit disappointing showing at Toronto Pro and will enter this this show under Farah' wings for the first time. Franch giant - thick as hell - Alex Nataf has sent his entry in to this category, I doubt he can make the weight?!

Based on the names attending in women's BB, figure and women's physique, there is no real pre-show-favorites and we can expect to see pretty interesting and even show in these divisions. An interesting comeback will be seen in figure class as Sherlyn Roy (Figure Olympia contender in 2008 and 2009) will step on stage after a few years pause (last show in 2010 in BIKINI division).

Juuli 3, 2012

Hardbody.com previews women's show - http://www.hardbody....o-show-preview/

Women’s Bodybuilding: We’ll see 18 women in the pro bodybuilding division and one will leave with an Olympia qualification. There are only 7 women in the 2012 Olympia to date. This certainly makes things more exciting for the competitors and fans knowing that more is on the line than at other shows. This show also has more prize money up for grabs than other shows. The top five women will leave with some coin and a total purse of $9,500 is on the line for these women. There is no clear favorite heading into this show so your guess is as good as ours when it comes to who will leave with the Olympia qualification. Wendy McCready and Monique Jones are both tied for 4th in the new Olympia Point Series with 3 points. If either of them finishes high at this show they could punch their ticket to Vegas via the new qualification system.

Women’s Physique: This women’s physique line up should provide a solid group for the judges to compare. Tamee Marie is coming off a win at the Greater Gulf States however this time around she’ll have some stiffer competition. Jennifer Robinson continues to make her presence known and if she can come in a bit sharper with better posing, she should be in the mix for the win. Trina Thompson and Nola Trimble will be making their IFBB Pro debuts. Trina achieve pro status at the Jr.USas and Nola went pro at the 2011 North American Championships. Both women could land in the top five their first time out. Kim Tilden is the one to beat in this lineup, at least based on the look the judges have favored and what she’s presented on stage. Paul Williams-Gulman will try her hand at the division after a debuting in Fitness. Paula finished at the bottom of the pack at the 2012 Flex Pro and will see if Women’s Physique is a better fit.

Pro Figure: This will be one of the biggest Figure competitions to date and only two of the 22 are qualified for the Olympia. Chelsey Morgenstern is one who quietly finds her way along each year and has been up and down in her placings. She was 16th at the 2011 Phoenix Pro, 12th at the Olympia and then finished in second at last year’s Kentucky Muscle Pro, qualifying her for the Olympia. This was one of the last shows where you didn’t have to win to qualify. On the flip side, Candice Lewis is coming off a win at the 2012 Omaha Pro. She show cased incredible structure and a nice balance in her upper and lower body. Her shape is one of the best in the pro ranks, if she comes in on point and maybe just a tad sharper than Omaha, she’s the one to beat. Cheryl Brown will look for the win but is she doesn’t she could still rack up points in the new Olympia Points system. She’s currently not qualified for the Olympia but sits in second, just one point behind Allison Frahn. Nipping at her heels in the point standings are Aleisha Hart, Kimberly Sheppard and Alea Suarez. Each of the ladies are tied for third an this show could put one of them ahead in the standings. If Alea Suarez brings the the look she presented at the Omaha Pro, night show she will be a contender for the win. Natalie Waples could be an X-factor as she’s either in the hunt or at the bottom of the pack. Chikondi Mseka has one of the better structures in this line up but has yet to get some love in the pro ranks.A little fun fact; Tiffany Archer, Candice Lewis, Vicki Counts and Gloria Tarpley all turned pro on the Chicago stage last year. The women faced off for the overall at the 2011 NPC Jr. Nationals and Candice prevailed as the overall winner..

....I mentioned Ahmad Ahmad in the post above, well Mr George Farah shared a recent shot of Ahmad about one week out. What do you think? Better, worse or the same?

Juuli 3, 2012

http://www.flexonline.com/videos/animal/erik-fankhouser-3-weeks-out-wings-strength-show

Juuli 7, 2012

Flexonline.com interviewed tens of athletes one day out, see all the interviews here - http://www.flexonlin.../chicago-pro-12

Some photos from the athlete meeting and -212 weigh in on MD and RXmuscle.com + Flexonline.com

Aaron Singerman & Chris Aceto preview today's show..

Swedish Ahmad Ahmad 1 day out - this must be best of him ever?

Juuli 7, 2012

Prejudging // Women Open BB

The first call out // the TOP group

From the left: Tazzie Colomb - Michelle Cummings - Monique Jones - Helle Nielsen - Emery Miller

For more photos of women's BB prejudging, please visit Flexonline.com , MD and RXmuscle galleries.

Juuli 7, 2012

Prejudging // women's physique

The 1st call out and the TOP group (nearly no photos at this point, but here a vid) from the left: Monica Escalante, Tamee Marie, Jennifer Robinson, Mikaila Soto, Nola Trimble

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

For the photos from prejudging ,please visit Flexonline.com , MD and RXmuscle galleries. (photos soon to be uploaded)

Juuli 7, 2012

Prejudging / men's -212

Some shots from the first group, seems like Jamal Elmaadawi (in the middle) is a clear winner here, next to him (left) Derik Farnsworth seems to be on 2nd spot and Swedens Ahmad Ahmad fights for 3rd place here...

Hopefully more photos including individual shots soon available at Flexonline.com , MD and RXmuscle galleries.

Juuli 7, 2012

Prejudging // Men's Open BB

In the first call out // TOP group, from the left: Atoyan - Smalls - Essa Obiad - Nguyen (makes his pro debut here) - Fankhouser

Hopefully more photos including individual shots soon available at Flexonline.com , MD and RXmuscle galleries.

Juuli 7, 2012

Based on the call outs, seems like Candice Lewis with a superior structure is going for her 2nd pro victory in women's figure. Jackie Hoppe, Chelsea Morgenstern, Alea Suarez and Natalie Waples were the other girls in the first call out.

(No comparison photos yet available, u can soon expect some photos to apper on Flexonline.com , MD and RXmuscle galleries. ) here an individual shots of the first call out girls, Candice Lewis missing though =)