Chicago, Illinois, July 6: It was only two days after the big 4th of July celebration nationally, but there were still plenty of fireworks on tap at the inaugural Wings of Strength contest held at the Crown Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center. On many occasions, a new event has gotten off to a slow start from potential competitors sitting back to observe how an event 'fleshes out' in its first go round. Such was not the case here. On the contrary, the Women's Bodybuilding division drew 19 contestants from nine countries, while the Physique division chipped in with 14 entrants of their own.
Teaneck, New Jersey, June 6-7: Now in its 18th year, the annual NPC Team Universe was staged this year at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe, as the two-day event kicked off on Friday with the prejudging of the women's Bodybuilding division, followed on Saturday with the prejudging of the Physique division and finals for both groups in the evening. In addition to the many pro card qualifications offered at this event, the added perk goes to the overall winner of the women's Bodybuilding division earning a trip to the IFBB World Amateur Championships – scheduled for Bialystok, Poland, in October.
This year, pro qualification was being offered to the overall winner of the open Team Universe in bodybuilding, the winners of both the Masters over 35, and Masters over 45 classes in bodybuilding, and the top three in each of the three height classes in the Physique division. Scrambling for 12 available pro cards in these groups were 43 Physique contestants and nine in the Bodybuilding division.
Hartford, Connecticut, June 30: It was a distinctively dynamic dozen that descended on the Connecticut Convention Center for the third annual Battle of Champions, and as most would agree, the 12 contestants entered here made up one of the finest bodybuilding fields – other than the Ms. Olympia and Ms. International – in recent memory. And if you were an avid bodybuilding fan, there was a purist air that enveloped this contest in that the pro division consisted solely of men's and women's bodybuilding.....period. This 'Battle' had an 'old school' feel dating back to the early 90's before the saturation of fitness, figure, bikini and physique had been adopted. It was about muscle of the unbridled kind, and everyone brought their fair share...and then some.
2012 NPC Junior Nationals
Rosemont, Illinois, June 15-16: The tradition of the NPC Junior Nationals continues to grow with each passing year, and with this year's edition the event returned to Chicago for the tenth straight year under the able promotion and organization of Pam Betz and her finely tuned crew. With the Hyatt Regency Hotel serving as the host hotel and contest venue once again, the women's bodybuilding division was prepared to add another overall winner to the distinguished list of former champions dating back to 1986, while the Physique division was ready to add another winner after the inaugural event last year building what has already become the sister event to bodybuilding with the anticipation of its rapid growth in the coming years.
Toronto, Ontario, June 1: A year ago Slovenia's Brigita Brezovac took home the inaugural honors as the first winner of this new event. Held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the event was a great success and the ten women who traveled to the Ontario provincial city in 2011 helped establish the beginning of a tradition for this contest. Now in its second year the new Physique division has been added and nine Bodybuilders and 13 Physique contestants further pointed to an annual event that has the capacity to grow dramatically in the coming years. A quick look at the level of quality in the top placers in each of these divisions is evidence enough of that reality.
Charleston, South Carolina, May 19th: It was nearly a year ago to the day on May 21st last year when promoter Tres Bennett hosted the NPC Junior USA that featured the first-ever women's Physique division competition. That day 44 contestants entered with 22 women in each of two divisions competing for top spots that would qualify for IFBB pro status. Pennsylvania's Dana Linn Bailey won the short class, with Amanda Harris taking the tall class. Bailey also took home top honors as the overall winner earning herself a permanent place in the history books, and the new division was off to a flying start.
This year, Bennett once again welcomed a Physique division field that was a carbon copy of 2011 as 44 contestants (21 short and 23 tall) again took aim on the top spots that would offer the opportunity to turn pro.
Jacque Till Returns to the Emerald Cup:
AFTER 18 YEARS IT 'S STILL TILL !
April 21, Bellevue, Washington: The NPC Emerald Cup is a giant annual regional event in the Pacific Northwest, and it regularly draws competitors from throughout the country along with a sprinkling of international contestants. This year, however, was special. Promoters Brad and Elaine Craig were welcoming this year's entrants to the 30th anniversary Emerald Cup, and as usual, the women's events were sterling.
New York, New York, May 19th: The Tribeca Performing Arts Center has seen its fair share of gala events with countless triumphs of success by those who have taken the stage at this little corner of Manhattan, but for Juliana Malacarne it will forever carry a very special remembrance. For this pocket-sized Brazilian with a bombshell body and an appreciative fan base who has waited a very long time to see her regain a shining moment in the sport she loves, this night brought back fond memories of what she calls “the good old days as an amateur competitor”. In front of a lively New York sellout crowd, Malacarne and an additional 28 contestants jammed the Tribeca stage to form the largest pro Physique competition to date. But this event, in a division that is still undergoing its growing pains, the day belonged to Juliana.
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