The pre-judging was held in the expo, which was a good idea for me since I could get better pictures than if the pre-judging was held in the Events Center where the finals where held. The overall standard was great, where no one was really off. Ms Olympia had a lightweight (up to 135 pounds) and a heavyweight class (over 135 pounds) and the two winners would battle it out for the overall title.

Lightweights

9th – Vilma Caez – won the NOC during the year, and was well prepared for this contest. Vilma is very big with especially strong shoulders. Her legs could use some more size and were a tad smooth. To be honest, I thinks Vilma’s major problem is her hard facial features which does bring down the total impression. She was bigger and harder than several of the other competitors. Maybe, she would do better in the future if she toned down a bit (Maria Calo has done that and is placed better now than previously).

8th – Valentina Chepiga – was back on stage and it was great to see. Valentina is very feminine and shows off her physique in a very elegant way. She was pretty hard but way too small. She lacked mass, plain and simple. I hope she continues to compete and she will do better if she can put on some mass.

7th – Joanna Thomas – is another impressive lightweight with very good taper and strong upper body. She lacks little mass on her legs and hardness. She, as Nancy Lewis, found it difficult to duplicate her previous condition (GNC). Her legs and hardness will come with time and she can take the lightweight title at Ms Olympia within a few years.

6th – Mah Ann Mendoza – from the Philippines presents a fairly complete package but too small. I think she placed too high and I had her in eight place.

5th - Desiree Ellis – did not impress me when she turned pro where I thought she did not have mass or V-taper enough. As a pro she has improved a lot and of the smaller girls, she is one of my favorites. She is symmterical with good taper and strong legs, tiny waist, feminine and a defined physique.

4th – Nancy Lewis – came from a win at GNC in which she was in great shape and was able to beat a very good Joanna Thomas. I expected a lot from her for this contest. She was not able to duplicate her condition and was smoother and smaller. It seemed difficult to hold the condition from GNC (same happened to Joanna Thomas). When Nancy Lewis gets it right (like she did at the GNC), she has a very impressive physique with a radical taper and very defined muscles. I know she will be back, but I hope she will compete more in the future than before.

3rd – Marja Lehtonen – was a positive suprise. She was the competitor with most muscle mass per inch including the heavyweights with good symmetry. Her arms are the best and her legs were very strong too. She has to be careful so that her mid-section does not get bigger. Totally, she was very good and she manages to "walk the fine line" between muscle mass and
feminity. I think she was overlooked and I had her in first place.

2nd – Denise Masino – has a great upper body and stage presence. Legs and glutes are a little weak. It is nice to see her getting better and better as a bodybuilder. I did not like her props in the finals. She wore a mask that made her look like "Hannibal the cannible". Maybe, it was to promote her buisiness as a sexy model (with a SM – touch).

1st – Dayana Cadeau – was also using props that I do not like (stripping from a police uniform). Maybe I am old fashioned, but I think bodybuilding should not use props. She has a balanced physique but the back is a little weak and the mid-section is protruding a bit too much. She was not really hard either. I did not have her as a winner.

Heavyweights

7th – Bonny Priest – has a balanced physique with no strong or weak point. She needs to be really diced to be a top contender. She missed her peak this time.

6th – Lisa Aukland – carries a lot of muscle with very strong legs. Her back is defined but her back needs to be wider.

5th – Betty Viana – was great last year. Her strong points are her mass, delts, legs and taper. She is having a hard time getting real ripped. This year, she was not so good and lacked mass on previous contests. For Ms Olympia, it was nice to see that she regained her mass and lines and if she can get real hard in the future, she can be in the top.

4th – Betty Pariso – is an impressive lady with a very big and hard body. Her chest, shoulder, traps and upper back region is among the very best. Also in this case I did not like the props. I have total respect for a woman that age, that can produce such a good body.

3rd - Yaxeni Oriquen – was the most impressive bodybuilders when seen up-close (at the expo). She is very big, symmetrical (has to watch her midsection though) and feminine. No weak muscle groups and a very complete package. She has problems getting real hard and dry (like Betty Viana, also from Venezuela). If she can get very hard and dry, she can win Ms Olympia.

2nd – Lenda Murray – is an icon in female bodybuilding and was ready for this contest. When I saw her at pre-judging, I though "game over" and was sure Lenda Murray would take the title. She lost some of her condition at the finals. Her delts and back region is simply fantastic. Also, her total package is awesome. Calves are a weakness but otherwise she is very complete. Lenda is a good poser too.

1st – Iris Kyle – is very big, hard and complete. Iris improved at the finals and was ready. Almost all body parts are strong. She is better than Lenda in legs and calves and maybe that is the reason why Iris took the heavyweight title. She is a worthy champion that works very hard. Iris, along with Marja Lehtonen, were the most muscular athletes. Iris was then compared with Dayana Cadeau for the overall and Iris took the overall title.

Closing remarks: As told before, not too happy with props and I think only Marja Lehtonen pulled it off and the props used by Vilma Caez, Betty Pariso, Dayana Cadeau and Denise Masino were not working well. I liked the "thrash talk" between Iris Kyle, Lenda Murray and later Yaxeni Oriquen. Iris was the "agressive" one, but she did it with a sense of humor (nice
to see that side of her, I have not seen it before) so it was working very well. Lenda, was the "sweet one". Later, Yaxeni got involved and I did not understand what she was saying, but it was great fun.

I hope to see it next year again!

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