By: Isaac Hinds

The women of the IFBB will be taking the stage at the end of this month. I'm rolling the dice on my predictions and the breakdown of the contests. I've had a decent track record with the women in the past but feel free to bet against me if you wish. Let's get down to business.

Figure

The figure competition has seen a number of changes since last year at this time. A few new names, a few new faces and most notably a new look to what has been rewarded. Will the look carry over to the Olympia stage? I see no reason why it wouldn't.

The days of shredded shoulders and ripped quads are gone and a more streamlined, toned but not overly muscular are here. Who best suits this look and who will find the winning combination?

This is a stacked competition and let's be real, they are all tremendous competitors. Selecting a top ten in this lineup will be the toughest job the judges have all weekend. I would not want to be on that panel as they will have a difficult time selecting who is placed where.

1. Gina Aliotti:

I look for Gina to continue her winning ways this year and be crowned the new Figure Olympia champ. Gina looked great at the Arnold despite many feeling she was "too hard".

She has great structure and since toning down the muscle and hardness from last year, I feel has a physique that is worthy of the title. She won't win it unanimously as there are a couple other women who could and should get first place votes.

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Gina Aliotti At The 2008 Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Gina Aliotti At The 2008 Arnold Classic.

2. Jenn Gates:

Look for Jenn to ride the wave of victory into the Olympia and give Gina a run for her money. She won the Atlantic City show easily and showed why she has to be considered as a top threat for the title. She placed 4th in this show last year and has found a nice combination of conditioning and muscularity that fits her frame.

She's only 5'1" and often looks 1/2 the size of others next to her but don't let the height fool ya. I look for her to be in the top callout without question.

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Jenn Gates At The 2008 Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Jenn Gates At The 2008 Arnold Classic.

3. Jenny Lynn:

Yep, I have the champ down in third. If she wasn't the defending champion I'd put her lower. We haven't seen Jenny on stage all year and did the time off suit her well or hurt her?

We'll soon find out how the time off and training with someone new helps her. She has definitely brought up her legs over the years and has great presentation but I think her time has past as the champ. Call me crazy and I well may be but we won't know till the big dance.

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Jenny Lynn At The 2007 Olympia.
View More Pics Of Jenny Lynn At The 2007 Olympia.

4. Mary Elizabeth Lado:

Mary returned to the stage earlier this year in Jacksonville and it was the Mary of old. She is stunning with a pleasing physique, tiny waist and when she is on, she's great.

If she is off like last year she won't find the top five. I don't see her making the same mistake twice and look for her to be compared against the top women in this contest. She could make a run at the top spot but I don't see it happening this time around.

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Mary Elizabeth Lado At The 2007 Olympia.
View More Pics Of Mary Elizabeth Lado At The 2007 Olympia.

5. Amy Fry:

Amy is a tall drink of water and has a rock'n bod. She recently placed second to Jenn Gates at the Atlantic City Pro. She has the makings of being a top pro and I look for her to have a chance at the top five here. Look for her to be in the top two callouts.

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Amy Fry At The 2008 Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Amy Fry At The 2008 Arnold Classic.

6. Sonia Adcock:

Sonia will be using the Tournament of Champions as a tune up show and head into the Olympia with some momentum. She's often criticized for her legs but she's had some time off and it should suit her well. She could be much higher than 6th and I wouldn't be surprised if she lands a bit higher.

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Sonia Adcock At The 2008 Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Sonia Adcock At The 2008 Arnold Classic.

7. Felicia Romero:

Felicia has been on a roll this year and has had tremendous success on and off stage. Her physique has come a long way in a short amount of time. She too is often criticized for her legs as a lagging body part. She's had a little time off to rest since the summer shows and could find herself in the top call-outs.

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Felicia Romero At The 2007 Olympia.
View More Pics Of Felicia Romero At The 2007 Olympia.

8. Lenay Hernandez:

The Florida beauty found success this year by turning pro in her first national show by winning the overall figure title at the NPC JR USA. She went on to place second in her pro debut and looked stunning. She lights up the stage and her smile is brighter than a Colgate commercial. I look for her to be one people are buzzing about after the show.

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Lenay Hernandez At The 2008 Junior USA.
View More Pics Of Lenay Hernandez At The 2008 Junior USA.

9. Teresa Anthony:

She placed third at the Pittsburgh Pro early in the year. Teresa has a very pleasing physique and a look that makes you do triple takes. I like her chances of landing in the top 10 for this show. She's one of the rookies so she'll have to shine like she did, but knowing her it won't be a problem.

10. Zivile Raudoniene:

Zivile won the New York Pro figure for the second year in a row. She's stunning on stage and pictures don't do her justice. Her stage presence commands attention and she is another you can't help but looking twice at. She has a pleasing physique that is in line with what the judges have rewarded this year.

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Zivile Raudoniene At The 2007 Palm Beach Pro/Am.
View More Pics Of Zivile Raudoniene At The 2007 Palm Beach Pro/Am.

Fitness

This year the champ is out with an injury. Adela Garcia will be watching from the sidelines this year but look for her to be back next year. Who will take top honors this time around? It seems to be a two person race but you never know can happen on the Olympia stage. Do I see this being a battle with anyone but Kim Scheidler (formerly Klien) and Jen Hendershott? No.

1. Jen Hendershott:

I see Jen seizing the day in Vegas and taking top honors. Will it be an easy road? No. She'll most likely win both routine rounds and the question will be where does she land in the physique rounds?

If she is high enough she should get top honors at this show. We know her routine will be entertaining, fast paced and jam packed with booty shaking. I thought she danced a bit too much at the Arnold and I want to see more moves like the Banana routine when she won the Olympia.

Click Image To Enlarge.
Jen Hendershott At The 2007 Olympia.
View More Pics Of Jen Hendershott At The 2007 Olympia.

2. Kim Scheidler:

Kim will most likely win the physique rounds. She has a found a winning combination when it comes to the physique portion of the show. I like her physique and it is definitely worthy of top honors.

The x-factor will be where she finishes in the routine rounds. She's come a long way in her routines and has great gymnastic skills. If she is able to relax and present herself with energy on this stage she could be the champ. She did it at the Arnold and there is no doubt she can do it in Vegas.

Click Image To Enlarge.
Kim Scheidler At The 2008 Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Kim Scheidler At The 2008 Arnold Classic.

3. Tracey Greenwood:

Tracey has made it three wins in a row and look for her to continue her winning ways. She has amazing strength skills and her routine will be entertaining. She'll be incorporating a little something special this year that should have the crowd cheering. She won't win the physique rounds but if she keep herself in the top four with the callouts she has a chance at her best finish ever.

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Tracey Greenwood At The 2008 Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Tracey Greenwood At The 2008 Arnold Classic.

4. Julie Lohre:

She's improved leaps and bounds since turning pro. Julie will have a new routine and should place well in both the physique and routine rounds.

Her routines are strong and she's taken time off to rest since the Arnold. I look for the time off to suit her well and be in top form for this show. Julie has positioned herself as a top contender in not only smaller shows but also the major shows like this.

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Julie Lohre At The 2008 Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Julie Lohre At The 2008 Arnold Classic.

5. Julie Palmer:

Julie has also taken some time off from competing since earlier in the year. She's always in shape and when I saw her at the North Americans she looked like she was stage ready. Her physique won't be a question - she'll be in the top for those rounds. The determining factor for Julie will be what she brings with her routine.

She's also improved greatly over the years and she could end up higher than fifth if she really brings it in the routine round.

Click Image To Enlarge.
Julie Palmer At The 2008 Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Julie Palmer At The 2008 Arnold Classic.

6. Tanji Johnson:

When she is on she's great when she's off she is way off. We haven't seen Tanji on stage for some time as she tried her hand at the American Gladiators.

While on the set she sustained an injury and how that holds up will be the big question. Can she recover from the injury or will it hinder her performance. She could be much higher in the placings as she has what the judges like when she is on her game. Don't be shocked if she is higher than sixth if she's recovered.

Click Image To Enlarge.
Tanji Johnson At The 2007 Olympia.
View More Pics Of Tanji Johnson At The 2007 Olympia.

Another To Watch:

Mindi O'Brien returned to the stage in Atlantic City and placed second. She could be in the mix of the top six if she holds her own in the routine rounds.

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Mindi O'Brien At The 2008 Arnold Classic.
View More Pics Of Mindi O'Brien At The 2008 Arnold Classic.

isaac@liftstudios.com

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