There were ten competitors in the lightweight class and seven in the heavyweights. Another former Ms. Olympia, Valentina Chepiga, competed as a lightweight this time around, and looked to be in top condition but was pushed by Dayana Cadeau, a much improved Cathy Priest, and South Americans Fannie Barrios and Angela Debatin.

While Chepiga seemed to easily be the choice to win the class, the rest of the placements were fairly accurate, with the competition being quite tight throughout most of the class. Jennifer McVicar placed last, and has added a bit of size, but her conditioning was off a bit. Although her routine was mesmerizing, until she gets cut up more, she won't be placing well. Her move to Las Vegas may be the switch she needs to get her diet dialed down.

From the beltway, Yaz Boyum brought her classy package to Columbus, but looked a bit soft on stage. She looked good overall, but with the level of competition so high, her placement was respectable. Dawn Sutherland made her pro debut, and looked a bit out of her element, but has a physique and presence that should only improve her placements with time. Canadian Sophie Duqette brought her regal stature and winning smile, along with her signature posing suits with collars to the Expo stage and looked strong, but a bit soft during prejudging. Later in the competition, she seemed to tighten up, but it was a tad late to place higher. Duquette should definitely be a competitor to keep an eye on, and her interpreter won the VIP trip to stay with Arnold during the filming of Terminator 3.

The smaller heavyweight class saw Finland's Pauliina Talus take the stage first, with her ripped and impressive quads, but the balance in her upper body was not quite there, leaving her in 7th place. New pro Lisa Aukland looked tight, but wasn't as full as the other heavyweights and her thighs weren't in the same class as some of the impressive leg development throughout the rest of the class.

In fifth was 46-year-old Betty Pariso, who had the most entertaining routine of the evening, changing things up quite significantly from her normally reserved standards.

Starting out with a back and forth dialog with her husband Ed, she started off doing a Ronnie Coleman style routine, but that hard core style just wasn't hers. Betty's voice suggests a Mike Matarazzo style routine, and Pariso proceeded to stick her tongue out and hit most musculars. Finally she considers a King Kamali style routine, and pulls it off in perfect satire. The crowd was loving it all and Pariso got the loudest applause of the night for her inspired and creative routine.

In fourth was Gayle Moher who's new look improved her overall package, but with such impressive competition ahead of her, should be proud of her finish. Third may have been the most surprising, based on historical data, but Vickie Gates deservedly finished in that position, with Iris Kyle coming in just off her usually spot on diet. However, it was Yaxeni Oriquen's night as the Venezuelan brought her complete physique to the stage.

Oriquen has been one of the busiest competitors in the pro circuit and her win of the heavyweight class and overall title was well deserved. As Arnold was interviewing Oriquen, he came up with another perfect Arnold one-liner:

"When I talk to you, I don't feel like I have an accent. It's really cool," Schwarzenneger stated, as the shy, but ecstatic Oriquen looked on and smiled.

Canadian Kary Odiatu may have been one of the most bubbly competitors. Although she finished in last place, her warm personality and stage presence was evident, and Odiatu should get better with each pro show she competes in in the future. Austin transplant Nicole Hobbs sported brunetted hair, and while her physique didn't seem to be quite on, her routine was impactful and tight. With further improvements to her physique, Hobbs should be able to dramatically improve her placements.

One of the more impressive competitors was Shannon Meteraud who competed just eight months after giving birth. "SM" had a strong routine, and although she wasn't as ripped as some of the others, she was an inspiration to everyone.

As for the top six, Klaudia Kinska rounded it out and if it wasn't for her last place finish in the 45-second mandatory routine round, she may have placed a few spots higher. The elegant Slovakian presented herself in her usual style and brought European flair to the stage. Stacy Simons finally got a placement that was just, with her routine having the audience gasping at her familiar but incredible flexibility.

In fourth was Adela Friedmansky who just keeps getting better. The tight bunch at the top though made it hard to crack the top three, but it was local favorite Jen Hendershott who exceeded her goal of making top four and taking third place. Hendershott was elated as her name was announced and it was good to see someone so happy with her placement. As always, she stuck her routine and had plenty of her special attitude that had the room booming.

The top two was a close finish, with Jenny Worth's strong routine not being enough to top the reigning Fitness Olympia Champion, Susie Curry. Although the callouts throughout several of the rounds indicated that the placements might have turned out otherwise, the final placements seemed to be pretty accurate. It was a refreshing change to see such a well judged show throughout, with all of the champions deserving their titles. It all bodes well for a 2002 competition season that is just getting underway.