The smoke is still clearing from one of the most action-packed Junior Nationals in NPC history, as over 550 competitors made the trip to Rosemont, Illinois last weekend. The main goal? Making it to the IFBB Professional League, of course. Twenty-five athletes managed to earn that distinction. Here, we profile the new IFBB Pros in the Bikini, Figure and Fitness divisions with comments from NPC Women’s Head Judge Sandy Williamson.
(Note: Full profile information is not provided in cases where competitors did not respond to inquiries)
BIKINI
Yasmin Ali – Class A and Overall Winner
Age 30
Height 4’11
Weight 87
Contest History/Highlights 2013: Texas Shredder Classic, 1st Class A; Eastern Seaboards Championships, 1st Class A; Bev Francis Atlantic States, 1st Class A and Overall
Judge’s Comments “Pretty girl. Nice stage presence. Could bring her legs down just a little bit, but she should be able to step on a pro stage and do well.”
Go here for more photos of Yasmin Ali!
Nissan Weaver – Class B Winner
Age 24
Height 5’2 1/4
Weight 112
Contest History/Highlights 2013: Simmons/Peckham Showdown, 1st Class A and Overall; Michigan State Championships, 1st Class A and Overall
Judge’s Comments “A very pretty girl, very nice stage presence. Good shape. Could be tighter in some areas, especially the lower body. Nice overall look.”
Go here for more photos of Nissan Weaver!
Yarishna Ayala – Class C Winner
Age
Height
Weight
Contest History/Highlights
Judge’s Comments “Nice stage presence and a nice overall look. Really needs to drop some muscle from her lower body. Her legs are little bit too muscular.”
Go here for more photos of Yarishna Ayala!
Liana Hamilton – Class D Winner
Age 35
Height 5’5 1/2
Weight 116
Contest History/Highlights 2013: Governor’s Cup 1st Class D and Overall, 1st Masters and Overall; 2012: Nationals 3rd Class D; Sacramento Championships 3rd Class D, 1st Masters Class D and Overall; USA Championships 16th Class D; California State Championships 1st Class D; LA Grand Prix 12th Class D; Jay Cutler Desert Classic 2nd Class D
Judge’s Comments “Needs to tighten up the back end a little bit. Very good stage presence. She has naturally curly hair and I’m glad she kept it that way for this contest. I like her look a lot better with the curly hair as opposed to the straight hair, it just looks more natural on her.”
Go here for more photos of Liana Hamilton!
Chaundra Bagwell – Class E Winner
Age 33
Height 5’6
Weight 115
Contest History/Highlights 2013: Junior USA Championships 1st Class E; 2012: New England Championships 2nd Class D
Judge’s Comments “A really nice look. She should do well on the pro stage just the way she is.”
Go here for more photos of Chaundra Bagwell!
Hope Howard – Class F Winner
Age 22
Height 5’8
Weight 122
Contest History/Highlights 2013: PIttsburgh Championships 2nd Class D
Judge’s Comments “Beautiful girl, great shape. Conditioning was spot on. Great stage presence. Could step in to the pro ranks tomorrow and do well.”
Go here for more photos of Hope Howard!
FIGURE
Andrea Calhoun – Class A Winner
Age 23
Height 4’11 1/3
Weight 103
Contest History/Highlights 2013: Texas Shredder Classic 2nd Class A; Ronnie Coleman Classic 1st Class A and Overall
Judge’s Comments “Good structure, good shape. Needs to bring her glutes down. Could use some more muscle in the upper chest area. She could do well at some of the smaller shows.”
Go here for more photos of Andrea Calhoun!
Kaelin Tuell – Class B Winner
Age 23
Height 5’2
Weight 115
Contest History/Highlights 2013 Kentucky Derby Championships 1st Class A and Overall
Judge’s Comments “Needs more width. She’s a little unbalanced between her upper and lower body. Needs to make adjustments to lower body before she steps on the pro stage.”
Go here for more photos of Kaelin Tuell!
Alicia Coates – Class D Winner
Age 26
Height 5’5 1/4
Weight 128
Contest History/Highlights 2013: Natural Western Open, 3rd Class D; 2012: Western Regionals 1st Bikini Class D
Judge’s Comments “Pretty girl. Very nice taper, very small waist. Needs more muscle overall and needs to improve the conditioning in her glutes.”
Go here for more photos of Alicia Coates!
Jennifer Brown – Class C Winner
Age 36
Height 5’4
Weight 122
Contest History/Highlights 2012: CJ Classic 5th Class C, 4th Masters Over 30; Treasure Coast Classic 1st Tall Class and Overall; Southeastern USA, 1st Class B, 1st Masters Over 30 and Overall; Nationals 10th Class D
Judge’s Comments “She has a nice physique and very nice structure. Her level of muscle is good. Coould be little tighter/smaller in the glutes. Needs to work on her stage presence everything is good but there is no pizazz. Hair, makeup and overall presentation should be a focus for her first pro show.”
Go here for more photos of Jennifer Brown!
OTHER PRO CARD WINNERS
Vera Mallett – Class E and Overall Winner
Judge’s Comments “Tiny waist. Nice structure. Could use a little bit more muscle in her arms. Conditioning from the front could be better, espcailly in the lower half. Conditioning from the back is very good.”
Go here for more photos of Vera Mallett!
Roshanda Schmitt – Class F Winner
Judge’s Comments “She’s borderline with the amount of muscle she’s carrying, she could bring her overall level of muscularity down just a little bit. Could be tighter in the hamstrings and glutes.”
Go here for more photos of Roshanda Schmitt!
FITNESS
Lishia Dean – Class B Winner
Age 34
Height 5’4
Weight 134
Contest History/Highlights 2012: Junior USA Championships 2nd Class B; Junior Nationals 2nd Class B; Team Universe 3rd Class B; 2011: Junior USA Championships 2nd Class B; Team Universe 5th Class B; 2010: North Carolina State Championships 3rd Class B; Junior Nationals 4th Class B; Team Universe 3rd Class B; 2008: Junior USA Championships 4th Class B; Junior Nationals 2nd Class B; Team Universe 3rd Class B; 2007: Junior Nationals 3rd Class B; Team Universe 3rd Class B; Nationals 3rd Class B; 2005: Nationas 16th Class B; 2004: Nationals 10th Class B; Elite Muscle Classic 1st Class B and Overall
Judge’s Comments “She won the routine round and I think her experience really helped her here, she’s been competing for a number of years. She still could add a little more degree of difficulty but she moves well and the tempo is good. She could add a few more strength moves as she moves into the pros. Conditioning needs to be improve.”
Go here for more photos of Lishia Dean!
OTHER PRO CARD WINNERS
Shannon Siemer – Class A Winner
Judge’s Comments “Nice structure. Conditioning needs to be better before she steps on the pro stage. Won both the physique and routine round. She moves well, but needs to improve the degree of difficulty in her routine before she’s ready to step on the pro stage and be competitive.”
Go here for more photos of Shannon Siemer!
Carly Lobato – Class B and Overall Winner
Judge’s Comments “The clear winner in my eyes. Good from the front. Needs a little bit more back and needs to bring in her glutes and hamstring area a little bit before she steps on a pro stage. A very good routine. Great energy and good strength moves.”
Go here for more photos of Carly Lobato!
