Absent Arnold contenders… Where will we see them next?
When the Arnold competitor lists were published the buzz in the figure world is where was Amanda Jo Savell and where will she compete next. I don’t know who is on the Arnold committee but they voted note to invite Amanda to the show. So now the question everyone keeps asking is, where will Amanda Jo compete next? Amanda’s first show of the year will be the Jacksonville Pro Figure. AJ will then look to reclaim the Europa Figure title for a record third time. The plan is to then make the trip to the Big Apple where she will compete in the New York Pro Figure. If she qualifies for the Olympia we’ll see her back on stage in Las Vegas for the Figure Olympia.
What about Mary Elizabeth Lado? Well, kids you will see her doing a similar run as Amanda Jo. Mary plans to compete the three August figure contests. She’ll begin with the Jacksonville Pro, then the Motor City Pro Figure and end the run at the Europa Super show. This will be Mary’s first time competing in all of these shows and hopes to qualify for the Figure Olympia. If Mary qualifies she’ll return to the Figure Olympia stage where she hopes to find herself in the top five, where she once reigned.
This is a match up to keep an eye on, as these two have only competed against each other on the Arnold and Olympia stages. Who will prevail between the two Mary Elizabeth or Amanda Jo? We’ll see in Jacksonville, Florida later this year.
Another 2007 Figure Olympia competitor looking to qualify for the big dance this year is Felicia Romero. The California Pro Figure will be her 2008 debut and plans to follow it up with a trip to the Houston Pro Figure. Depending on how she places there will determine if she competes in any other shows.
One competitor you will see at the Arnold is IFBB rookie, Nicole Wilkins. Many thought we’d see Nicole competing in fitness at the Arnold but not so, she will debut in figure and will hold off on her fitness debut until the New York Pro Fitness. Nicole won both the figure and fitness overall titles last year in New York qualifying her for pro status. Nicole has a promising future and look for her to do well in both figure and fitness this year.
