Nakon Atlantic City Pro, 17 zena je spremno da nastupi na 29. IFBB Ms.O. Najboljih 6 od prosle godine je automatski izborilo pravo nastupa na ovogodisnjoj Ms.O, ali su sve izuzev Heather Armbrust ucestvovale na Ms. International 2008 ove godine.
Vladajuca sampionka Iris Kyle sa svojim vrlo proporcionalnim frame-om i sa tri titule je kandidat broj jedan, ipak valja uzeti u obzir da se okliznula marta ove godine na vec pomenutom Ms. International, zavrsivsi tek kao 7.
Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia, proslogodisnja 3. i osvajacica Ms. International-a bi mogla biti Irisina najveca konkurentkinja, uz to, ona vec ima jednu titulu Ms.O u svom vlasnistvu - onu iz 2005.
Dayana Cadeau - vjerovatno najmasivnija gledano u odnosu visine i tezine, je takodje u vrhu i spremna da iznenadi ukoliko Iris ili Yaxeni ne dodju u najboljem izdanju. Armbrust, koja je imala cijelu godinu da napreduje moze takodje predstavljati veliku prijetnju.
Lisa Aukland je osvojila po treci put Atlantic City Pro - i vjerovano predstavlja najodraniju takmicarku u ovoj konkurenciji, iako ima vec punih 50 godina! Betty Pariso je jos jedna takmicarka koja u sestoj deceniji zivota moze da racuna na visok plasman.
Cathy LeFrancois (New York Pro), Nicole Ball (Tampa Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Championships) i Jennifer Sedia (Europa Super Show) su imale svoje pobjede, i mjesto u posedownu je ono cemu vjerovatno aspiriraju. Sherry Smith, vatrogasac iz Oklahome zeli da potvrdi svoju HW pobjedu iz Dalasa sa dobrim plasmanom. Ostale builderice iz ovog line-upa ce traziti svoju najbolju formu i tako potvrditi da su se s razlogom nasli na najvecem bodybuilding takmicenju.
Takmicenje: Ms. Olympia
Kada: Petak, 26. september
Prejudging: Petak - 11 am, Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall
Finale: Friday - 7 pm, Orleans Arena
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Iris Kyle and Yaxeni Oriquen ready for Las Vegas
TALE OF THE TAPE
NAME: Iris Kyle
AGE: 33
HEIGHT: 5'6" WEIGHT:160 pounds
OLYMPIA HISTORY: 1999, 4th; 2000, 5th (heavyweight); 2001, heavyweight winner; 2002, 2nd (heavyweight); 2003, 2nd; 2004 heavyweight and overall winner; 2005, 2nd; 2006, winner; 2007, winner
NAME: Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia
AGE: 42
HEIGHT: 5'7"
WEIGHT: 170 pounds
OLYMPIA HISTORY: 1998, 10th; 2000, 4th (heavyweight); 2001, 3rd (heavyweight); 2002, 4th (heavyweight); 2003, 3rd (heavyweight); 2004 3rd (heavyweight); 2005, winner; 2006, 7th; 2007, 3rd
Two weeks before the Ms. Olympia contest, FLEX requested responses from the two competitors who have claimed the title in the past: Iris Kyle (2004, 2006, 2007) and Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia (2005)
FLEX: What did you learn from this year's Ms. International?
IRIS KYLE: Anything can happen. I've been the underdog throughout my whole career, even in the amateurs. I still go in with my eyes open and know that any given day I can be the winner or a loser. I don't take the Olympia for granted. I'm very levelheaded and know that I'm not unbeatable, but there aren't many people who are close to my kind of physique.
YAXENI ORIQUEN-GARCIA: Winning yet another Ms. International has been a very fulfilling experience. It's proof that hard work and perseverance always pays off. Of course, being the first woman to win four titles at the Arnold is a great accomplishment.
FLEX: How do you feel about the women not being included at the press conference this year?
IRIS: It doesn't bother me either way. We're in the midst of trying to carb up, and sitting there for two hours can prevent us from getting properly prepared. They see us onstage and they see us at Meet the Olympians; I think that's sufficient. The women are not so into all of the headbanging, so only a few of us really entertain the crowd.
YAXENI: Being an athlete, I try to concentrate exclusively on my end of the sport. Anything regarding organizational decision-making is simply something I have to accept.
FLEX: What do you expect to weigh at the Olympia?
IRIS: 160-162 pounds. Right now [on September 11], I'm at a weight of 165, and I'm really sharp. I'm going to look better than 2004. I'm like a Shawn Ray, everyone's used to seeing my body in good shape, but not so much a different shape. This time I upped my protein and lowered my cardio, so I plan to come in round, full and still have that same condition.
YAXENI: I am not preparing myself according to weight; there are too many variables. I prefer to guide my preparation visually through what the mirror reflects. The same as every other time, I focus on arriving in the best possible condition with perfect harmony and full development, in order to maintain a highly competitive edge onstage.
FLEX: Who do you see as your toughest competition?
IRIS: You have the best of the best on the stage. I hate naming names, because I don't want them to think that I think they look good enough to beat me. There are a couple people who have good potential to be Ms. Olympia in the future.
YAXENI: The women always arrive in supreme condition. At any given show, any one of the competitors could upset the favorites, so I prepare for all and underestimate none.
FLEX: What are your chances of winning the 2008 Ms. Olympia?
IRIS: It's mine. My name is already on it. If my homework is complete and we set the political part aside, I'm going to win hands down. My shape, condition and muscle are going to be right on target. I'm on key. If we had to compete tomorrow, I'd be ready. [In two weeks,] I'm going to be extra ready.
YAXENI: At this point, the work is done and the final touches will determine the ones that complete the final stretch victoriously. The day of the show will tell who did their homework and who didn't.
