LOL, the reason this blog doesn’t have any Olympia blog coverage is because the Olympia has it’s own dedicated blog!

Click here to see 2007 Olympia Weekend blog coverage:

http://blog.bodybuilding.com/OlympiaBlog

East Coast Muscle is proud to offer this great video series with IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Victor Martinez and MHP President Gerard Dente! Tune in and see how Big Vic trains for the 2007 Olympia! This week: Victor Martinez builds his biceps and triceps!

I got this great email from IFBB Figure Pro Meriza DeGuzman about this past weekend’s 2007 IFBB Tournament of Champions Pro Figure competition.  I’m posting her thoughts here with her permission for your viewing pleasure!

“Oh my, I’m still on Cloud 9!  It’s been a great year for me.  I earned my pro card in June at Figure Nationals, after three heart-breaking close calls, and with my class, “A” class getting tougher and tougher each show!

I promised Jon Lindsay (California NPC and IFBB promoter) that I’d do his show (Tournament of Champions) if I ever got my pro card.  Well, true to my word, I kept my condition since June and got up on Jon’s stage this past weekend.

To tell you the truth, I was super nervous!  (Butterflies in my tummy!)  I mean, I have stood onstage with the best amateurs in the country so many times, I had gotten fairly comfortable with the other “shorties”.  They are all so good now, whew!  I think I was so nervous because I was concerned about how I would compare to the taller girls.  It was funny, actually, standing side by side with Mary Jo Cooke and Nancy Georges, both at least a foot taller than me in their heels!  LOL

One thing that was different was how friendly and supportive the girls were at the show.  It was a surprise, and felt funny, when John Tuman, the head judge, called us by our first names when he was comparing us!  I used to be just a number.  That made me feel special.  The girls are all so sweet and nice - not what I was expecting.  They were so supportive of me because it was my first time.  Mary Jo was great!  And, Heather May French was so sweet, too.  Oh yeah!  the prize money wasn’t bad either!  Sonya Adcock was there, and was so nice and supportive… everyone is so sweet - my pro debut was great!

Plus, honestly, I have looked up to and admired many of the girls at the pro level.  I was more than a little bit intimidated.  Tanji Johnson, for example, has been sort of an idol of mine since I first met her at Emerald Cup 2005.  She’s so sweet and so beautiful, I couldn’t believe it when I found myself standing right next to her in the line up!

Gina and I train in the same gym.  We hang out personally sometimes - we got our nails done on Thursday before the show, and try to coordinate our cardio sessions when we can; she was like my big (little) sister - so sweet, and supportive - but still, she’s “Gina Aliotti“, right?  Same goes with Mary Jo Cooke.  I mean, all of these girls are so beautiful, and have been successful as pros, could you believe it?  I was up there too!  and I’m still shocked that I did so well for my first pro show.

I know I’ve got alot of improvements to make, but I am working so hard.  I have some new confidence now, but I know that the girls on stage at the O are on another level!  It’s an honor to be able to stand on stage under that big red “O”!  I still can’t believe it!  Like a dream come true.  I am so blessed for this opportunity.  I can’t wait!

So, watch out, Vegas, and watch out world!  Here comes all 4′11 1/4″ of Meriza!”

Meriza DeGuzman
www.MerizaFigure.com

Note: see also Meriza’s previous post on the TOC.

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The OCB Natural Indiana Bodybuilding and Figure competition was held on Saturday, September 22nd in Indianapolis at the Lutheran High School (5555 S. Arlington Ave, Indianapolis, IN).  The prejudging started at 12 Noon and Finals were at 5pm, the show included Men’s/Women’s Bodybuilding and Novice, Open, and Masters Figure divisions.  Much more information on the show can be found at:  http://www.theocbwebsite.com/Results/2007/IndianapolisIN/OCB2007IndianapolisIN.htm

The results are as follows (I don’t have pictures for all divisions yet):

Figure Novice Short
1 Keisha Pedigo #21*
2 April Jones #20
3 Jodi Sturdevant #22       
4 Debbie Buess #9

Figure Novice Tall
1 Ann Maroso #7
2 Karen Halter #24
3 Karina Rhodes #10
4 Tracy Llewellyn #8
5 Abby Spencer #23

Figure Masters
1 Ann Maroso #7
2 Karina Rhode #10
3 Tracy Llewellyn #8
4 Debbie Buess #9

Figure Open Short
1 Keisha Pedigo #21*
2 April Jones #20
3 Jodi Sturdevant #22       

Figure Open Tall
1 Ann Maroso #7
2 Karen Halter #24
3 Abby Spencer #23

Women’s Novice
1 Tracy Nash #3

Women’s Masters
1 Tracy Nash #3

Women’s Open
1 Tracy Nash #3

Men’s Teen
1 Jacob Rice #1
2 Steven Jones #2

Men’s Novice Short
1 Lance Scott #13*
2ALbert Gary #15
3 Ken Montgomery #4
4 Charles Randolph #14
5 Rodney Suggs #12

Men’s Novice Tall
1 Joseph Deborta, Jr. #18
2 Marcus Smith #17
3 Eric Walden #19
4 Derek Lewis #16
5 Jacob Rice #1
6 Greg McBride #6

Men’s Masters
1 Joe Raley #5
2 Ken Montgomery #4
3 Greg McBride #6

Men’s Open Short
1 Mike Wilseck #25
2 Albert Gary #15
3 Steven Jones #2
4 Charles Randolph #14

Men’s Open Middle
1 Tommy Jeffers #27*
2 Joe Raley #5
3 Lance Scott #13
4 Joseph Debrota #18
5 Graig Presti #26

Men’s Open Tall
1 James Redd #28
2 Marcus Smith #17
3 Derek Lewis #16

*Division Winner

I apologize for not having pictures for ALL divisions, I was on stage so I couldn’t take pics hahah.  However, if you’ve got a pic I can edit this post and make sure it gets put on there!!!
This was my first show and I felt like it was a good one, expect to see me again under those lights!

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Glen Dale, West Virginia.  September 22, 2007.

The West Virignia State and Mid Atlantic Grand Prix was held at John Marshall High School in Glen Dale, WV.   This show has been running for six years.  It is highly organized and everything went smoothly.  Kudos to promoter, Rick Bayardi!  Erik Fankhouser, a former competitor and champion of this show, was the guest poser.   Erik, also known as “The House”, is West Virginia’s first male to become an IFBB Pro.  Pictures of his performance are in a previous blog on this page- scroll down!  

Below are a few images from the show.  Note to competitors:  I have many pictures!  I might have a few of you!  Please contact me with your name, class and competitor number so I can check for you- if you are interested!  Please email me (tew377@aol.com) or communicate through BodySpace (click on my picture at the top of this post).  

Please check this blog at a later date for a complete list of winners!

Daniel Young, Heavy, WV State Overall Champion  

Theresa Lake, Mid Atlantic Overall Figure Winner

A Few Ladies of Figure

Competitors in the Mid Atlantic Grand Prix
Nick Kovell, 1st Heavy Weight and Best Poser, in the center

Overall Winner of the Mid Atlantic Grand Prix, John Rearick

Congratulations to all competitors and winners!  

Compliments of GeneX.

Pro Fitness results (**Olympia qualified)

1) Rosi Mena**
2) Myriam Capes**
3) Stephanie Worsfold**
4) Vlasta Gruberova
5) Kendra Elias
6) Sandra Wickham