2007 Ironman NPC Figure Review by Juan Carlos Lopez
Pasadena's rainy season finally ceased at this event. Getting rain since 2004, making it a rule rather than an exception; this year the rain only appeared Sunday night after the show was over. Other factors had changed as well, for example the Pasadena Convention center that is attached to the Sheraton Pasadena host hotel is expanding. This year it also seemed that the expo was a bit larger and rather than using the underground facilities they used the annex facilities and a simple but well constructed artificial white tent-like structure. The show again lacked good lighting for the prejudging and using no lights other than ambient lights makes it difficult for photos. Hopefully after having informed Ruth Silverman from Ironman this might be changed for next year. The Ironman is a premiere show that could easily expand to bigger dimensions.
Now, what is what they are looking for in NPC figure for this year? It seems they are continuing their saga for a smaller but still tight look. The competitor list had dropped day by day, and at the end the show might have not had the caliber of figure ladies that it had in the past years. When prejudging started it was clear who was going to be the winner, and even then before the show started the rumors laid eyes on one shy and inexperienced competitor: Monica Mark. I saw her up close when getting help with her suit and thought she could be the winner indeed. Not knowing many other competitors on stage it was a only a matter of time to see if Monica Mark would win the overall.
Class A was only 6 competitors, included the experienced Cindy Martinez who looked very tight and in great shape. Sirvan Ergili was a total unknown and surprisingly placed 5th rather than higher. Sirvan was looking great, with separation in her legs, great shoulder and good symmetry. The only reason to think she placed lower was her conditioning which was the best of the show. She should present this physique at a National level show and she should do better. Monica Mark is almost flawless, with only her second show being this event she is a big promise in the future in the industry. Her symmetry is probably her first calling card and had good conditioning but not as sharp as Sirvan Ergili or Cindy Martinez.
Class B was taken by Dawn Kirkham who also has a similar conditioning and symmetry as Monica Mark hence winning the class. There is a method to the madness as far as judging goes. Michelle Cogger who was second showed great symmetry and looks like she will do better this year if she goes to Nationals. Dena Gunnoe had good symmetry as well and was a bit harder than others in her class.
Class C which is usually a wild affair that everyone waits for was decimated to only 5 competitors. Leaving Danielle Edmonds to be the winner over Alecia Rankovic who was cheered on the crowd given her great looks and stage presence.
Now maybe you think HardFitness has gone crazy and needs mental help but we did cover the Fittest Couple event. I must admit that two of the competitors there could have placed real well at the NPC Figure portion and made some other girls very upset given that they weren't even preparing for it. JJ Clifton the winner of the super model search is not only great looking but has also a very symmetric package that could land her a pro card if she did things right. Rachelle Jackson packing on more muscle could do very well too. Rachelle and JJ also exceed as great models.
A show that wasn't too spectacular but it gave birth to the future of a superstar, Monica Mark has made her mark...
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