HARDBODY Fit Female News & Events

Updated competitor lists are available here for next weekend’s IFBB Atlantic City Pro. The number of entrants continue to increase but the fitness competition is at its lowest. Props to the female bodybuilders for showing that there is still an interest across the globe to compete.

Current numbers as of today are at:
Female Bodybuilders: 20
Fitness: 10
Open Figure: 26
Master’s Figure: 16

There are some emerging story lines to watch in each division.

Bodybuilding
Lisa Aukland will attempt to defend the title she won at this show in ‘08. Rita Rae will be making her pro debut and a number of very good female bodybuilders will look to snag a qualifying spot to the Olympia. Nicole Ball, Kristy Hawkins, Klaudia Larson, Mah-Ann Mendoza, Brenda Raganot and Jennifer Sedia should all be in the hunt for a top call-out as well. This looks to be the most competitive show of the year.

Fitness
Despite the numbers being dismal there are a few headlines to watch. Tracey Greenwood is the odds-on favorite to repeat as champion again, at least on paper. She competed in this show a couple years ago and injured her thumb. She certainly will not be looking to repeat that act. I’m told she’ll be unveiling a new routine, which she’ll be duplicating at the Olympia two weeks later. Nicole Duncan is a promising competitor on the rise and will look to be in the money again at this show. I like her look and her routines, she will be a contender. The Johnson sisters will battle it out for the first time as fellow competitors. Safiya, the rookie, will take on the seasoned-vet Tanji at this event. Michele Mayberry showed promise at the Europa and could be in the mix for the top five. Laticia Jackson will look to improve on her Europa finish and head to the Olympia.

Figure
Maggie Blanchard is down to compete in Figure and I’m not sure why. She’s competed in Fitness but will look to try her hand in the figure competition apparently. Tivisay Briceno has been on the bubble the last couple of shows and will look to move up into a qualifying spot for the Olympia. Candice John will make the trip from Trinidad and hopes to be in the top spots. She turned some heads last year in NYC and could do it again here. Cheri Lewis will return to the stage again after a couple years off. Marie Ann Newman is wasting no time in making her pro debut as is Elissa Schlichter. There are no “big names” in this contest which makes it a bit more exciting to follow as it is anyone’s game.

The same holds true for the Master’s Figure division. There isn’t anyone, at least on paper, that you can point to and say, “Oh this is her show”.

Props to Tony Blinn from IFBBpro.com for the list update.