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 By: Isaac Hinds
The 2009 NPC National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships is in the book and it was a good one. There were a few surprises and a few expected wins in the show. It was one of the most competitive shows of the year. Props to the NPC and the entire team involved for a job well done. The Westin Diplomat Resort served as the host hotel in Hollywood, Florida and it was one of the nicest venues you'll see holding a bodybuilding competition. Amazing rooms with killer oceans views, you can't beat that. The competition was held in the same building as the hotel which made it convenient to walk to your room and not incur added travel costs.
Things started on Thursday with the Board of Governors meeting at the host hotel. This is an annual meeting where NPC promoters from around the United States meet to discuss their shows, new business and show dates for future years. A couple things of note that came out of the meeting... Team Universe will move to New Jersey and be held in July. This changes a number of competitor's plans for the year but it is a needed change as Manhattan was simply too expensive. The NPC Jr. USA will move from Charleston to Houston and will be held on August 28th instead of the usual May date. Promoters were told to make certain that bikini competitors were not wearing thongs or hiking their suits up to look like thongs. The division is still in its infancy and with 9 pro shows and a Bikini Olympia slated for next year, it will only continue to grow and find the look they are after.
Steve Kuclo looked small and flat compared to last year. Some competitors can change their looks dramatically overnight though so you can't go by what someone looks like at weigh-ins, but it is a good indicator. Cedric McMillan was clearly the guy to beat when you saw him step on the scale.
  Click To Enlarge. Steve Kuclo At The 2009 NPC Nationals. View More Pics Of Steve Kuclo At The 2009 NPC Nationals.
 Click To Enlarge. Comptetitors At The 2009 NPC Nationals. View More Pics Of Comptetitors At The 2009 NPC Nationals. The bikini division at this contest, I felt, was a little lackluster compared to Team Universe and the NPC USAs. There were a few standout physiques but the presentation of some of the women was over the top. Women should not be twirling their hair and swaying their hips from behind like they are about to climb a pole.
 Click To Enlarge. Bikini Competitors At The 2009 NPC Nationals. View More Pics Of Bikini Competitors At The 2009 NPC Nationals. The Women's bodybuilding and Figure prejudging started first thing in the morning on Saturday. I was impressed with the overall quality of women in the female bodybuilding division. Women looked like women and displayed great conditioning without the over-the-top freakish mass, as has been seen in the past.
 Click To Enlarge. Female Competitors At The 2009 NPC Nationals. View More Pics Of Female Competitors At The 2009 NPC Nationals. The figure divisions were competitive in every class and some tough calls on who should end up where. All the class winners in every division are eligible for IFBB Pro Status.
 Click Image To Enlarge.Trina Goosby At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Trina Goosby At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Erica Reder At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Erica Reder At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
Alea Suarez edged out Vanessa Prebyl by one point to take home the C class victory. I had Vanessa winning the class from my vantage point but again I was proven wrong.   Click Image To Enlarge.Alea Suarez At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Alea Suarez At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Vanessa Prebyl At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Vanessa Prebyl At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Tianna Ta At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Tianna Ta At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Brittany OConner At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Brittany OConner At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Tisha Des-Marteau At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Tisha Des-Marteau At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Jessica Anderson At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Jessica Anderson At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Michelle Maxwell At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Michelle Maxwell At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
Kimberle Trowbridge took the A class in what I am told was her first national NPC show. It's a reminder to competitors that just because you've competed a number of times, it's not a pecking order.   Click Image To Enlarge.Kimberle Trowbridge At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Kimberle Trowbridge At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Debra Lavette At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Debra Lavette At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Tina Francis At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Tina Francis At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Kathleen Tesori At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Kathleen Tesori At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Josie Zamora At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Josie Zamora At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Jennifer Smythe At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Jennifer Smythe At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Ava Cowan At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Ava Cowan At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Alexandra Porshnikoff At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Alexandra Porshnikoff At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Taylor Gallagher At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Taylor Gallagher At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Ryan Everson At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Ryan Everson At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Mindi Smith At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Mindi Smith At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Kimberly Sheppard At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Kimberly Sheppard At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Holly Beck At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Holly Beck At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Jennifer Martin At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Jennifer Martin At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
The lightweight was won with straight ones by Lori Steele. I like Lori's physique and she was on the money here. I actually had Barbara Fletcher pegged as the winner but she finished in third.   Click Image To Enlarge.Lori Steele At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Lori Steele At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Barbara Fletcher At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Barbara Fletcher At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Lisette Acevedo At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Lisette Acevedo At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Nicole Berg At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Nicole Berg At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Kris Murrell At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Kris Murrell At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Amber DeFrancesco At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Amber DeFrancesco At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Monique Jones At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Monique Jones At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Bleu Taylor At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Bleu Taylor At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Chris Darby At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Chris Darby At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Joe Vu At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Joe Vu At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Luis Santiago At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Luis Santiago At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Shavis Higa At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Shavis Higa At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Victor Prisk At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Victor Prisk At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Victor Del Campo At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Victor Del Campo At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Luis Santa At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Luis Santa At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Nathan Detracy At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Nathan Detracy At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Ronald Torres At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Ronald Torres At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Seth Feroce At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Seth Feroce At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Al Auguste At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Al Auguste At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Tamer El-Guindy At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Tamer El-Guindy At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Branden Ray At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Branden Ray At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Jeff Long At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Jeff Long At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Lee Banks At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Lee Banks At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Fred Smalls At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Fred Smalls At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Parenthesis Devers At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Parenthesis Devers At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Anthoneil Champaigne At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Anthoneil Champaigne At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Cedric McMillan At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Cedric McMillan At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Robert Burneika At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Robert Burneika At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.   Click Image To Enlarge.Abbas Khatami At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships. View More Pics Of Abbas Khatami At The 2009 National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships.
Steve took a step back from his showing at last year's Nationals and if he can return to that form he'll be a contender again. He looked flat in his upper body and clearly was off at this show when he finished in 13th.
Congratulations to all the new IFBB pros and another successful NPC year. Things will slow down on the National level until June of 2010 when the NPC Jr. Nationals kick the season off. Then it's a very busy summer in the NPC.
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