2003 Olympia Weekend Report and Free Photo Gallery
Untitled Document
2003 Olympia
Weekend
by Gene
X Hwang - October 24, 2003
Las
Vegas, NV, USA - The biggest competitive weekend of the professional
competition season lived up to its name once again, and the worlds top
bodybuilders, fitness athletes and figure competitors descended upon Sin
City to duke it out for the sports most presitgious titles.
The
Figure Olympia made it's debut and coming into the show, the buzz was
whether Monica Brandt could take the title after Jenny Lynn had edged
her out of the Figure International title at the Arnold Classic earlier
in the year. Of course since that show, Dina Al-Sabah and Devana Medina
had both come into the show with impressive momentum, and DJ Wallis had
some strong showings coming into the O.
The
callouts in all the rounds indicated that it would be between the trio
of Lynn, Medina and Brant for the title. Brant looked improved from her
Arnold conditioning, while Lynn appeared to be a bit softer. However,
it was Medina who surprised everyone by winning the inaugural Figure Olympia
title, and establishing the ideal figure physique.
Outside
of that top three, it was Mari Kudla who took fourth, and was much improved
from her Arnold shape. With added size throughout, she looked good, but
still has some room to tighten up her conditioning. Al-Sabah followed
Kudla and may have suffered a bit from later callouts in the first round,
the one-piece round, while she excels in the two-piece.
Overall,
the competition was definitely very tight, and some of the leaner competitors
were once again penalized. Sharon Kouvaras was ripped, and possesses excellent
calves, but may have been the most overlooked athlete. Hannah Park also
displayed strong legs, and Jamie Franklin's back development was her strength.
It will be interesting to see how the judges continues now that Devana
Medina's physique has set the baseline and if that same structure will
be rewarded at the lower levels as well.
The
Fitness Olympia was buzzing with hometown favorite Kelly Ryan making a
strong push to oust Susie Curry, who was making her final Fitness Olympia
appearance. Of course Adela Friedmansky, Jenny Hendershott and Jenny Worth
are all contenders who could challenge Curry along with rising stars like
Stacy Hylton and Tracey Greenwood.
The
stage was set early with Ryan's improved physique earning her higher callouts
against the top women. Anna Level, who's physique is very strong, but
who's routines are not at the same level, was in the mix in the one and
two-piece rounds, but once again, the strength of the other routines pulled
her down to sixth. Jenny Hendershott's routine broke new ground with perhaps
her most memorable performance.
That
is saying a lot considering how impressive her routines always are and
she did not disappoint. Coming out with Carrie Fickle and Trisha Rich,
Hendershott's routine emulated the MTV Video Music Awards performance
including the kisses.
Stacy
Hylton's routine was amazing too, with impressive strength moves, tumbling,
and a good bit of humor mixed in. Klaudia Kinska performed a classy, elegant
routine, but her conditioning was off while Kim Klein's Olympia debut
was met with strong applause when she performed her routine which incorporated
many impressive strength moves.
Curry
was tight though, and although Ryan's routine was one of the best, Curry
held onto her fourth Fitness Olympia title. Ryan lost ground once again
in the 45-second routine round, where some of the judges had placed her
as low as 10th. That round seems to be making quite an impact on a lot
of results but Ryan can have consolance in knowing that next year, she
will have to be one of the favorites to take the then-vacated title.
Tracey
Greenwood had to perform her 45-second routine to another competitors
music because of technical difficulties with her music. Regardless, she
did a great job, and many of the other athletes came out from behind the
curtain to support her, which was a nice sight to see, considering the
fact that most of the Olympia press conference was about how some of the
competitors were inappropriately posting to message boards online and
stirring things up. Of course that's the men primarily...
On
to the Ms. Olympia, and the smart money was probably on Juliette Bergmann
and Lenda Murray to win their classes, but everyone had to know that they
would both be pushed hard again this year.
In
the lightweights, Cathy Priest, Denise Masino and Dayana Cadeau all were
in contention to oust Bergmann, but it was not to be. Bergmann was not
in great shape, and she had taken the stage in much better shape and conditioning
before so there was a round of boos when Masino was named in third place,
and again when Cadeau was announced in second.
Priest
looked strong too, although both Masino and Cadeau were both more muscular
and conditioned. Angela Debatin and Fanny Barrios trailed, placing 5th
and 6th respectively. Kim Harris took 7th, while Rose Jennings was 8th.
Jennings was also being taped for National Geographic who chose to follow
her around during her contest prep all the way through the finals.
For
many, it was the heavyweight class they were waiting for, and out first
was hot rookie Helle Nielsen. Nielsen, fresh off her Jan Tana domination,
came out on stage looking very impressive, with her unmistakably shredded
legs, and European demeanor.
Nielsen
placed fifth but was ecstatic and will be focusing all her efforts on
the 2004 Olympia. Out next was Yaxeni Oriquen who according to the poll
on FTVideo.com, was the fan favorite to take the title. Oriquen was sharp,
but with athletes like Lenda Murray and Iris Kyle in very sharp condition,
Oriquen would have to be pleased with her third place finish.
She
didn't look quite as full as she has previously, but then again, Kyle
and Murray were both sliced. Murray had fielded a question during the
press conference about how she felt about winning last year, although
Iris Kyle may have had better body parts on an individual basis, and her
response focused on the total package, which IFBB Chairman Wayne Demillia
seconded. That must have been the case again this year, as Kyle pushed
Murray in each individual bodypart, but on the whole, Murray's package
was once again crowned the best in women's bodybuilding, and that made
it eight for her.
Murray
is now the greatest bodybuilding champion of all time, and considering
that, Kyle should not feel too bad about her placing. Venezualan Betty
Viana looked almost cartoonish in her proportions and curves. Although
not quite as sharp with her conditioning, her presence and full muscle
bellies are always impressive and Viana brought good energy to the stage.
With a bit less water, she is another who can challenge for the Olympia
title.
Vickie
Gates announced her retirement during the weekend, and the emotion of
that was visible. The always emotional Gates wasn't as sharp as she has
been in the past, but the 20 -year veteran of the sport still displayed
class and offered herself to be a voice for the women as an athlete representative
for the IFBB. Another woman who could be in that same position was Betty
Pariso, who this year became the oldest woman to compete at the Olympia
at 47 years. Not only that, she was also the heaviest competitor on stage
at 169.5 lbs. Ripped and with her signature thin skin, Pariso had fun
on stage, and her impressive trap development and Matarazzo-like posing
was a hit with the fans.
Being
the biggest show of the year, the crowd also had impressive faces in it,
with many people dieting just to watch the show, and there were
plenty of great physiques on display.
Some
pros like Jennifer McVicar were also on hand, and McVicar looked very
good. She is training in preparation for the 2004 Ms. International at
the Arnold Classic, while Karina Nascimento has promised to blow everyone
away when she takes the stage at the Figure International moving to that
class from bodybuilding.
Look
for a report on the expo, new faces and of course we'll be posting some
photos of some of the athletes who were there to watch. At
left is Holly Nicholson who will be doing a show in Las Vegas in four
weeks. Other new faces to keep an eye out for include Jen Wiseman and
Jamie Shires.
Results |
Ms.
Olympia
Champion: Lenda
Murray
Lightweight
1) Juliette Bergman
2) Dayana Cadeau
3) Denise Masino
4) Cathy Priest
5) Angela Debatin
6) Fanny Barrios
7) Kim Harris
8) RoseMari Jennings
Heavyweight
1) Lenda Murray
2) Iris Kyle
3) Yaxeni Oriquen
4) Betty Viana
5) Helle Nielsen
6) Betty Pariso
7) Vickie Gates |
Fitness Olympia
1)
Susie Curry
2) Kelly
Ryan
3) Adela Friedmansky
4) Tracey
Greenwood
5) Jenny
Hendershott
6) Anna Level
7) Klaudia Kinska
8) Stacy Hylton
9) Julie Palmer
10) Jenny Worth
11) Kimberly Klein
12) Stacy Simons
13) Shannon Meteraud
14) Kary Odiatu
|
Figure
Olympia
1)
Davana Medina
2) Monica Brandt
3) Jenny Lynn
4) Mari Kudla
5) Dina Al-Sabah
6) Jamie Franklin
7) D.J. Wallis
8) Aleksandra Kobielak
9) Sharon Kouvaras
10) Hannah Park
11) Elaine Goodlad
12) Theil Bradford
Mr.
Olympia
1)
Ronnie Coleman
2) Jay Cutler |
Last
updated: 10/26/2003 @ 7:47 p.m. PT
