Arnold Classic & Arnold AM 2014; Egle Eller-Nabi 14th!

IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Branch Warren is now less than a week from setting foot on stage in Ohio at the 2014 Arnold Classic. The last time he was at Veteran’s Memorial, he came away with the 2012 Arnold Classic title along with the Most Muscular and Best Poser Awards. Segue to last year when he chose to sit out to fully recover and heal from a leg injury.

Now, he’s out for redemption, and sharing his journey with Muscular Development. Take a look at Branch, along with his training partner, Johnnie O. Jackson, training back at just eight days out from the show. Even this close to show time, the workout is still intense.

IFBB.com previews women’s amateur fitness // http://www.ifbb.com/arnold-classic-north-america-womens-fitness-preview

This year’s Arnold Classic North America in Columbus, Ohio, USA, seems to break the next record of participation, with over 760 nominated athletes. We are going to present the nominated athletes discipline by discipline. First women’s fitness.

In the short category, up to 163 cm, a nice group of 12 athletes, most of them from the USA. Among them 2013 North American Championships 3rd place winner and 2013 Emerald Cup winner Kristine Duba as well as 2013 North American Championships finalist Toni Wheeler. Monica Vargas placed 3rd at the Arnold America but in 2010 and will be back. They will meet 2013 Australian national champion Christine Ray and 2012 South American champion Yanina Terragni of Argentina, who took the 3rd position at the 2013 Arnold Classic Brazil and, as the only competitor in this group, participated in the IFBB World Championships (2011). Olena Chekerda is an Ukrainian personal trainer from Ternopil, graduated from the State Medical University. Currently lives and works in Italy.

In the tall category, over 163 cm, less athletes but of the higher caliber. Marta Aguiar of Uruguay has been competing for over 13 years. Having won seven South American titles (two overalls), 2010 Arnold Classic and 2010 World Championships bronze medal will be among top pretenders to the title this year. Last year finished in the 3rd position. 2013 World Championships runner-up, Liudmila Nikitina of Russia, may be considered as a favourite, but Oksana Orobets of Ukraine finished just behind her in Kiev, but 2 weeks later at the 2013 Arnold Classic Europe in Madrid, won over Nikitina. What will be the result of their next meet? Orobets is the former world junior champion and is progressing among senior women nowadays. Giorgia Foroni of Italy finished just behind them, in the 3rd position, in Madrid last year. Will she be a more demanding challenger this year? The next from the last year’s Women’s Worlds top ten is Aurika Tyrgale of Russia. Alyssa Gualtieri won the 2013 Ohio State Championships. Will be any “dark horse” in this category? Maybe former rhythmic gymnast with 15 years competitive experience Brittany Kanne of Canada who won the 2013 Canadian Nationals as well as 2013 World Championships qualifier? She trains 5 days of weight training a week, 7 days of cardio a week and 3 hours of her routine a week. Should be among the best.

The battle will start on February 27th (Thursday), at 20:00 local time at the Veterans Memorial with fitness routines and comparisons (at 21:30). Then, the top 5 in each category will advance to the finals which will be run Saturday morning, at 10:00, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, followed by the awarding ceremony.

The competitor lists are available at IFBB.com

In the photos some of the preshow favorites; Ludmila Nikitina and Oksana Orobets.