The 2011 Ms. Olympia will be one for the history books and by history I don't mean it being history. There's talk of the Ms. Olympia contest going away with the beginning of Women's Physique, however that has no merit to this point. The history I am speaking of is when Iris Kyle takes the stage to defend her title once again.
Top 6 Predictions
* There are no weight classes at this show so the women in the lighter weights tend to struggle in this show.
1. Iris Kyle
Iris is in a league of her own. She has the genetics, symmetry and conditioning. I can't see anyone beating Iris Kyle. The only time Iris hasn't won in recent memory is when she was dropped down in the Ms. International for suspicious looking bumps. That was 2008 and since then she has been unbeatable. The last time Iris lost the Olympia was 2005. Talk about consistent, you won't find a more consistent female bodybuilder than her.
2. Alina Popa
I'm going out on a limb with Alina; this is her first Olympia. She was 8th at the 2010 Ms. International and leaped into third at this year's event. She has the size and structure to be a contender. If she's at her best I say she leapfrogs over the veterans.
3. Yaxeni Oriquen
Yaxeni came up short at the International to Iris both this year and last. She was also the bridesmaid to Iris at the last two Olympias. She's no stranger to the Olympia winner's circle having won in 2005. She had a bit of a slump in 2006 and 2007 but since then she's been a consistent Top-5 competitor. Look for her to be in the Top-5 once again.
4. Debi Laszewski
Debi placed third in this show the last two years. She looks to move up and challenge Iris for the win, but I don't see her finishing higher than second. She's beaten Alina and Yaxeni before, so a second place finish isn't out of the question.
5. Sheila Bleck
Sheila placed fourth at the 2010 Olympia and should find herself in the hunt once again. If she doesn't come in sharp enough she'll be on the outside looking in. Definitely a contender in every show she enters when she's in shape.
6. Cathy LeFrancois
Cathy won this year's Tampa Pro after being in second to Tina Chandler in the prejudging. She was seventh at this show last year and should be in the hunt for a Top-6 spot this year. She doesn't have the tiniest waist but she has the size to her shoulders and legs to help balance it out.
Others To Watch
Kim Buck has a crazy X-frame and she could be in the hunt for a Top-6 spot if she comes in conditioned. She has crazy genetics and a pleasing physique to watch pose. She took top honors at the Europa Battle of Champions in unanimous fashion.
Tina Chandler is right on the bubble to making it into the top spots at the big shows. She was 8th at the 2011 Ms. International and was also 8th at last year's Olympia.