For Women's Bodybuilding fanatics, the 2007 Ms. International presented a visual feast featuring 16 contestants all wrapped tightly into one class with the broadest imaginable spectrum and variety of female muscle.
All the visual suspects were on hand for this highly competitive bash with top end contest resukmes and physiques to backup the reputation.
Sprinkled among the superstars and veteran performers such as defending Ms. International champion Irish Kyle, three-time Ms. International winner Yaxini Oriquen and ten-time Ms. International entrant Betty Pariso, a visually impacting group of ‘rookies' collectively added considerable color to the field. Although this quintet of newbie's including Rosemary Jennings, Colette Nelson, Lora Ottenad, Kim Perez, and Heather Policky took there first bows at the Ms. Internaional, each made a signifigant impact on the audience - if not all were able to pass muster with the judging panel in terms of their desired placement.
In general, the primary element that was abundantly clear regarding the final results was the pointed need to re-enlist the two weight class system at all pro events for women. With the potential for as much as a 50 pound weight difference between competitors, lighter women will invariably be brushed aside. That reality was evident at this contest as only two of the three who would qualify as lightweights ( six in this field) finished higher than 10th. The obvious benefit would be to eliminate the sense of futility among smaller competitors and to encourage and further motivate future competitors who enter the pro ranks at a lower bodyweight.
All the usual suspects were on hand for this highly competitive bash with top end contest resukmes and physiques to backup the reputation.
Sprinkled among the superstars and veteran performers such as defending Ms. International champion Irish Kyle, three-time Ms. International winner Yaxini Oriquen and ten-time Ms. International entrant Betty Pariso, a visually impacting group of ‘rookies' collectively added considerable color to the field. Although this quintet of newbie's including Rosemary Jennings, Colette Nelson, Lora Ottenad, Kim Perez, and Heather Policky took there first bows at the Ms. Internaional, each made a signifigant impact on the audience - if not all were able to pass muster with the judging panel in terms of their desired placement.
In general, the primary element that was abundantly clear regarding the final results was the pointed need to re-enlist the two weight class system at all pro events for women. With the potential for as much as a 50 pound weight difference between competitors, lighter women will invariably be brushed aside. That reality was evident at this contest as only two of the three who would qualify as lightweights ( six in this field) finished higher than 10th. The obvious benefit would be to eliminate the sense of futility among smaller competitors and to encourage and further motivate future competitors who enter the pro ranks at a lower bodyweight.
KYLE GONE WILD
Ok, let's just cut to the chase. Iris Kyle opened a can of whoop ass on the sweet 16 field, and it was pretty much all over but the shouting after the first round of prejudging. Even Kyle's frequent posedown pal at past events - Dayana Cadeau - couldn't keep pace with the defending champion's chiseled form.
Becoming every bit as reliable as a Swiss clock with each passing year, Kyle was, well, Iris Kyle - right on time. The 2006 Ms. Olympia entered this event in even better overall condition than at last year's Ms. O. She managed to do so by virtue of maintaining her shrink-wrapped muscular detail, but more significantly, she upped her bodyweight to 161 pounds from a Ms. O level of 157. The result was a notable addition of prime muscle volume that added a level of fullness throughout her physique that had not been as evident in past contest efforts where her leanness and highly defined looks took the lead in pushing her to high placings. The improvement was a most positive one, and the muscle volume she increased throughout her structure resounded loud and clear. She was simply the best.
In winning, Kyle captured her third Ms. International crown and the second in succession after winning last year. She also added her name to a distinguished list of three-time Ms. I winners including Laura Creavalle, Vickie Gates, and Yaxeni Oriquen. For her efforts she pocketed $25,000 as the winner's share.
For runner-up Yaxeni Oriquen, her primary goal was, of course, to win the contest. And with a victory she would become the only four-time winner of the Ms. International. To her credit, she put her best foot forward in an effort to stop Iris Kyle's dominance, but she simply didn't bring enough fire power. On the upside, Oriquen did rebound nicely from her disappointing seventh-place finish at last year's Ms. Olympia. And there was another very notable element to her overall competitive chase of Kyle. The final point spread between Kyle and Oriquen was five points, but Oriquen topped Kyle in both the routine round (by four points) and the posedown round (by one point). It was only Kyle's 10-point edge in the first two rounds that put her in front to stay.
Oriquen's second place finish in Columbus further strengthens her position as one of bodybuilding's legendary competitors who always manages to keep herself at a competitive level.
Emcee Lonnie Teper referred to third-place finisher Heather Policky's legs as the ‘Wheels of Fortune' and it is true they went a long way in helping her to make an auspicious debut at the Ms. International - not to mention a nice payday to go with it. The overall 2006 USA champion, Policky was fresh from a pro debut performance at the Sacramento Pro Classic in California just a week earlier. Playing the role of spoiler to many aspiring contestants in this field, Policky did her best to shadow Kyle and Oriquen at every turn. Weighing just under the 170-pound mark for this contest, Policky met every expectation as the competitor female bodybuilding fans saw as the most anxiously anticipated addition to the pro ranks for 2007. She didn't disappoint. Displaying an air of confidence while showing off her otherworldly structural and muscular genetic blessings, Policky locked herself into a solid third-place finish as the top placing rookie in the field.
Upset-minded Lisa Aukland claimed the fourth place spot, and along with Iris Kyle, showed remarkable muscular detail and contest readiness. Many of the sport's cognoscenti saw Aukland as a higher finisher surpassing even Yaxeni Oriquen in the final analysis. A steady improver and meticulous in her approach to contest preparation, she continues to make her way deserving way into the rarified placings of major events - and doing so at the equally rarified age of 48. And did we mention her mind-blowing calves that could easily be mistaken for yearlings! Simply amazing!
Falling in close alignment with Aukland's highly detailed excellence was the ageless Betty Pariso in fifth place. At 51, and as a busy grandmother, the current IFBB competitor's rep has managed to set the bar very high where the aging process is considered - especially when considering her desire to remain legitimately competitive at the highest level events. Few are willing to argue that she continues to improve with each passing year in what has been a long and distinguished career as a competitor. Entering her tenth consecutive Ms. International, Pariso has been denied the top spot by formidable compatriots in the past decade, but it remains an interesting question as to how many of those finishing ahead of her will be competing when they pass the half-century mark in age.
Dayana Cadeau claimed the sixth and final prize money placing. As Canada's most successful female bodybuilder and a former lightweight Ms. Olympia winner, Cadeau slipped at this event for two reasons. First, she was off her best form - a level of condition that, when she is at her best, can keep her competitive even when challengers outweigh her by many pounds. And second, because there were no weight classes - putting judges in the unfortunate position of dropping those contestants who would normally be in a lightweight category to non-placing positions. Only Cadeau and ninth-placed Tonie Norman finished inside the top ten with physiques that would normally be considered lightweight (under 135 pounds).
Outside the cash positions was seventh-placer Annie Rivieccio. Coming off her resounding third-place finish at last year's Ms. Olympia, Rivieccio's placement may have seemed harsh, but those competitors who finished in front of her were unquestionably deserving of their finishes. Still, Rivieccio is a crowd pleaser with her unabashed love of hardcore muscle and the ‘most muscular' poses audiences respond to so positively. In addition to what many consider the most cultivated muscle among the top pros, Rivieccio has also made marked improvements in her stage presence and the polished look of her physical display. Now in her early 40's, she is enjoying her best years as a bodybuilder.
Eighth went to Bonny Priest. For this seasoned veteran performer, missing a peak doesn't happen often. But even the best of competitors experience the annoying happenstance during a career. A fourth-place finisher at the Ms. Olympia last year and a two-time winner at past pro events, Priest's missing of the mark at this contest is merely a blip on the radar screen. She'll bounce back later in the year.
Following Priest was Tonie Norman in ninth. The lightweight winner at the 2007 Sacramento Pro Classic a week before the Ms. I, the former overall Team Universe winner is another prime example of just how difficult lightweight competitors find competing against their much heavier sisters. Aside from the competitive realities in her career, virtually every is stunned when reminded that Norman, who works as a firefighter, is raising a 19-year-old daughter who will be entering college this year. In the matters of life, that makes her a heavyweight!
Rounding out the top ten was Cathy LeFrancois. Another of the struggling lightweights trying to out-flex their heavyweight opponents, LeFrancois was the runner-up to Tonie Norman at the Sacramento Pro Classic. No stranger to this contest, LeFrancois won the Ms. International lightweight class in 2003 and has competed in this event on six occasions. To the surprise of many, LeFrancois has been a competitive bodybuilder since 1990 and turned pro in 1995 after winning the Canada Cup. With each passing month, LeFrancois continues to improve on her physique after taking two years out to compete as a figure contestant.
BULLET NOTES ON PLACES 11 THROUGH 16
Eleventh placer LORA OTTENAD made her pro debut here after winning the overall NPC National crown last year. Said Lora of the experienced, "Hey, I'm soaking this up. I waited a long, long time to get here and I'm loving every minute of it. I'd like to place well, but I really don't care where I end up. I know it sounds really corny, but just being invited to this contest is such an honor." Emcee Lonnie Teper pegged her with the nickname ‘The Washington Monument' when she won the National title last November. And many were rightfully impressed with her monumental musculature.
DENISE MASINO made her first stage appearance since competing at the 2004 Ms. Olympia and she performed admirably. Entering her ninth Ms. International dating back to 1997, Masino was the lightweight and overall winner at the 2003 Night of Champions. Her she finished 12th, but was nonetheless exotic, sensual, and mesmerizing with her steamy routine.
Last year's IFBB North American champion KIM PEREZ placed 13th, and left many observers wondering why. A runner-up to Heather Policky at the 2007 Sacramento Pro Classic, Perez possesses a physique that is unmistakably impressive. As a fan shouted to Perez after her routine in Sacramento regarding her peaked biceps, "I hope you have a license to carry those guns", the crowd roared its approval. By the way, those arms officially measure 17 inches pumped!
COLETTE NELSON should waste no more time and simply start auditioning for roles on Broadway. The consummate performer who proudly admits she's a ham on stage, Nelson presented another entertaining routine to a wide array of musical backups from every decade imaginable. Not the easiest routine to photograph, Nelson's perpetual motion style is nonetheless a visual delight. After placing 13th in her first Ms. Olympia last year, the 14th spot at this event can't really be considered a disappointment as the former IFBB World Amateur champion continues to work on her legs and bring her overall physique into better balance.
As for ROSEMARY JENNINGS' 15th-place finish......you'll simply need to corner the judging panel as to the hows, whys and wherefores. From the seats it was difficult to figure. At 5-2, and weighing over the 130 mark, Jennings is about as densely developed as is humanly possible. Her forearms are as big as some competitor's calves! And few would call her imbalanced. This was a true ‘headscratcher'.
Austria's SUSANNE NEIDERHAUSER lent considerable credibility to the name of this event as she was the only entrant who lives outside the United States. Finishing 16th, Neiderhauser was in need of a professional skintone application and closer attention to hair and makeup. Combined all these elements would have gone a long way in helping her better present what is truly a beautiful overall physical structure. A former IFBB World Amateur middleweight champion, who competed at the 2002 Ms. Olympia as a lightweight, Neiderhauser was entering her second Ms. International after placing fourth (in the lightweight class) at the 2005 Ms. I. Fourth when competing in weight classes, to 16th without classes....not what you would call highly motivational for her future contest decisions.
Winning Kyle Stats - What you may or may not know
In winning this years Ms. International Kyle sets herself up for an unprecedented achievement when she takes the stage later in the year at the Ms. Olympia.
Prior to 2006 only Kyle and Kim Chizevsky had won both the Ms. International and Ms. Olympia in the same calendar year. Chizvesky in 1996 and Kyle in 2004.
Then in 2006, Iris Kyle repeated the difficult dual grand slam.
Now, she has an opportunity to set a standard that will be extremely difficult to match should she earn the top spot at the Ms. Olympia in September - three years winning both of the most cherished titles in women's bodybuilding. Keeping in mind neither Cory Everson or Lenda Murry ever achieved this feat even once. Iris Kyle is quickly piling up points towards a Hall of Fame career.
