Arnold Classic and Arnold Amateur 2013. EGLE 2 KOHT!

Slovakian amateur bikini competitor Denisa Lipovska trains prior to the AC // Eastlabs vid channel.

German David Walli & bikini amateur competitor Kathrin Hollmann on 23th Feb – LINK

http://youtu.be/z5pZKlYa7lE

Cathy LeFrancois dials it in 11 days out from Ms International at the Arnold Sports Festival 2013;

http://www.musculard…1-days-out.html

Serbian CBBer Aleksandar Stojic 5 days out; (source – http://www.maxximum-portal.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=289&t=32215 )

Josef Furin on 21st Feb – http://kulturistika….ateur-2013.html

Toney Freeman giving a sneak peek as well (click in order to view images bigger)

Bodybuilding.com // Isaac Hinds previews the upcoming Fitness International // http://www.bodybuild…0&CJPID=2136017

This year’s Fitness International competition is definitely one for the history books. For the past three years, Adela Garcia has been in the top spot of the Fitness International competition. But this year, she won’t be back to defend her title. Last year’s runner-up, Camala Rodriquez, has made the switch to Figure, and top-contender Myriam Capes was forced to withdraw due to injury. All these changes mean the field is wide open for a new crop of winners. Let the excitement begin!

Fitness International Competitors

Bethany Cisternino

At last year’s Fitness International, Bethany had one of her best shows. She finished in the top spots in both the physique and fitness rounds and earned fourth place. She was also runner-up at the 2012 Fort Lauderdale Cup. Bethany will definitely be in one of the top spots in the physique round, and if she brings a fast-paced, clean routine to the night show, she’ll be a threat for first place.

Regiane Da Silva

Regiane has one of the most ambitious routines of the group. If you’re watching her, don’t blink because you may miss her incredible flips and twists. Her biggest challenge is harnessing all that energy into a cohesive presentation. Her routines usually score high, but her physique keeps her at the bottom of the pack. If she can bring a more refined physique this year, she could be in the top six.

Nicole Duncan

Nicole Duncan has the potential to be great. We’ve seen her perform incredible routines—her background as a professional cheerleader definitely shines. However, she often misses the mark with her conditioning and ends up scoring lower than she should. To be in the mix, she needs to bring a conditioned physique and a high-flying, ham-it-up routine. I hope we see Nicole bring her best because she has the potential to win.

Ryall Graber-Vasani

Ryall earned third place at the 2012 Master’s Olympia. It was a huge ego boost after her 10th-place showing at last year’s Arnold. She has one of the best physiques in the field and should fare well in the physique round. The question is: will the judges like her routine? I enjoyed her Wonder Woman routine, but the judges were less than impressed. I see her being a threat for the top spots if she brings a routine that engages the audience and pleases the judges.

Oksana Grishina

Oksana is without question the woman with a target on her back. She won the 2012 Arnold and the Fort Lauderdale Cup. She was runner-up to Adela at the 2012 Olympia, and is now in the driver’s seat. In the past, Oksana’s routines were criticized for being too slow. She changed them to appease the judges and it paid off. The X-factor for Oksana is her posing. She can come in over-conditioned. She refined her physique and posing over the last two years, but has bordered “too hard” in the past.

Fiona Harris

Fiona competed on this stage as an amateur just one year ago. After she earned her pro card, she took the IFBB by storm. She finished third in her pro debut at the Pittsburgh Pro and matched that at the 2012 Toronto Pro. She grabbed fifth place at the Master’s Olympia and is in a position to be in the top tier. To do it, she needs a controlled, energetic routine. She has the physique and the strength skills to do well; it’s just a matter of refining them.

Amanda Hatfield

In this group, Amanda is the closest to being a rookie. She turned pro at the 2012 NPC JR Nationals and has competed in just two pro shows thus far. She has a pair of seventh-place finishes. Any improvement in placing will be a victory. Her package just needs some fine tuning. A slightly more streamlined physique will help her move up in the ranks.

Tanji Johnson

Tanji is one of the veterans to the stage. She’s often a crowd favorite. If she brings the physique and routine we know she’s capable of, she could take the show. Tanji is consistently in the top five. You’d have to go back to the 2009 Arnold to find her any lower. We never know which Tanji will show up, but if it’s the one with a tight physique and energetic routine, she could be shaking Arnold’s hand at the end of the night.

Kizzy Vaines

Kizzy is a bit of an anomaly. She’s hit or miss with her tan, and we never know what color her hair will be. Sometimes, her physique flows well and other times it doesn’t. She is, without question, one of the most flexible women in the IFBB Pro League and she demonstrates it in her routine. Some of her moves are like something out of a Cirque du Soleil show. One thing’s for sure, you’ll be gasping by the end of her routine.

Trish Warren

Trish Warren is coming back to the stage! After having a baby, she’s ready to show everyone she hasn’t skipped a beat. Trish refined her physique and improved her routines in 2011 which positioned her to be a top contender in the Fitness division. She was third in 2010 Olympia and matched that place at the 2011 Fitness International Contest. Regardless of where she finishes, Trish is a huge inspiration to mothers everywhere.

Fitness Int contender Vasani 1 week out;

German amateurs have arrived Columbus, some photos by Team-andro – http://www.team-andro.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=1571

David Walli

Paul Poloczek

Hollmann & Angela Derzapf

Team-andro.com followed German Amateur Team at Monday work out – see the video HERE.

Johnnie O Jackson interviewed less than 2 weeks out;

Last year marked one of JOJ’s best competitive years ever with a win at the FIBO Power and three second place showings at the New York Pro, Mr Europe Pro and the British Grand Prix. In this video, Jackson discusses his success in 2012, competing in Europe vs the USA, how he brought up his legs last year and what he is shooting for at the Arnold 2013. If you looking for insight on some of JOJ’s bodybuilding training techniques CLICK HERE for his arm training video that does include commentary.

http://www.musculard…the-arnold.html

Oksana Grishina visits Muscle Beach TV 1,5 weeks out from the Fitness International – http://www.musculard…e-week-out.html

BB.com previews Bikini international – http://www.bodybuild…back-title.html

The 2013 Bikini International will feature a mixture of seasoned veterans and talented newbies, and everyone wants to win. Last year’s champ Sonia Gonzales won’t be back to defend her title, but 2011’s winner Nicole Nagrani is certainly looking to get it back. Reigning Bikini Olympia champ Nathalia Melo is also looking to keep her winning streak alive. With all the amazing talent on stage, earning the bikini crown certainly won’t be easy.

2013 Bikini International Competitors

Noy Alexander

Noy turned pro at the 2012 NPC USA and has since been making a name for herself on the pro circuit. Her highest pro finish was at the 2012 Border States where she placed fourth. Noy has the sex appeal and physique to do well, but she must learn to stay relaxed and pose with confidence. If she brings that to the stage, she’ll be one of the top finishers.

Jennifer Andrews

Jennifer is one of the veterans. She turned pro at the 2010 NPC Nationals and has two pro victories to her credit. Jennifer’s presentation has beauty pageant qualities: She has a big smile, big hair, and big confidence. Her challenges are usually her tan and her sometimes too-tiny midsection. Depending on her presentation, she could be in the top six or outside the top 10. Wherever she places, you can be sure she’ll be smiling ear to ear.

Jamie Baird

Jamie is another competitor who has some seasons under her belt. In the past, Jamie would pose in a rehearsed, almost choreographed manner. She now presents a relaxed stage persona and clearly enjoys her time on the stage.

She’s never finished lower than fifth, and I don’t see that changing this year. She’s a perfect example of what class mixed with a bit of sexiness looks like on a pro bikini stage.

Tiffany Boydston

Tiffany is one of the smaller competitors in the show. She often lets her nerves get the better of her. I’m never sure how she’ll come in—she’s finished as high as second and as low as 12th. If she can pose with ease and confidence and continue to add muscle to her frame, she’ll be better prepared to compete against the best.

Abbie Burrows

Abbie turned pro quickly in her competitive career, but she’s since been on a rollercoaster ride. She won the Tijuana Pro in 2011, but finished 16th at the Olympia. We never know which Abbie will show up to the stage. She’s one of the taller competitors. To do well, she’ll need to be well-conditioned and have a perfect presentation. She was 16th at the Arnold last year, and I’m excited to see if she can improve.

Lacey DeLuca Lieto

Lacey is one of the rookies on the Arnold stage. Since she began competing, she has yet to finish lower than third. Lacey always presents the same package. Her biggest challenge will be balancing a tight lower body without looking too lean up top. Clearly she’s bringing a look the judges like, but her physique doesn’t quite fit with the others in the top spots, in my opinion. If the judges continue to reward the look she brings, you can count on her to place near the top!

Tawna Eubanks

Tawna always lights up the stage when she competes. She poses with confidence and is one of the few blondes in the division. She’s been up and down in her placing, but consistently competes with class. At the smaller shows, Tawna always ends up in the top spots. At last year’s Olympia, however, she was 15th. This year, I expect her to move up in the ranks.

Ashley Kaltwasser

Ashley will be competing in her Bikini International debut. She turned pro after winning the 2012 Team Universe show. She earned fifth at her first pro show and will definitely be looking to improve. She’ll have her work cut out for her though—this is one of the most competitive lineups she’s faced. If she brings a tight backside, she might make the top 10.

Lexi Kaufman

Lexi has continued to improve her physique. She calls Columbus home, so she has the advantage of not having to travel. Lex’s highest finish was sixth at the 2012 Pittsburgh and was 12th at this competition last year. If she can crack the top 10 this year, it’ll be a victory.

Nathalia Melo

Nathalia always brings a toned physique with sexiness and curviness. She’s become a favorite with the judges and fans alike. Genetically, she struggles to bring a tighter lower half without being too lean up top.

If she matches the look she brought to the Olympia, she could be your winner. Keep in mind, though, most people thought she would win last year, but she finished in a surprising fifth place.

Nicole Nagrani

Nicole found success straight out of the gate. She was the winner at this show two years ago. She placed second to Nathalia at the 2012 Olympia, and just won the Sheru Classic.

She’s never finished lower than third, and I don’t believe that’s going to change any time soon. She brings the “cute” look to the stage, which seems to be working in her favor.

India Paulino

India has been consistently in the top three in nearly every show she’s entered. There are two things you can count on from India: she’ll wear a yellow suit and will do her signature “hip pop” at the end of her posing.

She’s always a little sassy on stage. India will be one of the top contenders, but her biggest challenge will be bringing a tight lower body.

Jessica Paxson

Jessica Paxson is another competitor who won’t have to travel far. She is one of few women who has moved from Figure to Bikini and found success. Jessica has been competing for a number of years. At this stage of the game, she knows what to expect. Look for her to be at her best and in the hunt for a top spot.

Marcela Tribin

Marcela is one of the few international competitors in the show. She successfully petitioned for pro status from her country of Colombia and is their lone representative in the IFBB Pro bikini ranks. She’s a beautiful woman who presents with confidence. Her model experience definitely shows through her body awareness. Her legs don’t quite meet the usual standards, but the judges haven’t seemed to hold it against her. She placed 11th at the 2012 Olympia, and finished as high as second at the Tampa Pro.

Anna Virmajoki

Anna is another international competitor and has tremendous potential. She finished third at last year’s Arnold Amateur and was second at the 2012 Prague Pro. She has an exotic sexiness about her. If she doesn’t lean out too much, she’ll place higher than you might think.