Nothing like travel plus deadlines to get the creative juices flowing. Now that my big summer trip to the Teen, Collegiate, Masters Nationals and the USA is over and the October IRON MAN is on press (on newsstands September 1), it’s catchup time in here at the Hollywood office. Technical dilemmas have kept me from getting some items up in a timely manner—namely, audio interviews done at the Masters Nat’s. Plus, there’s more from the USA, including audio and video interviews; so look for all that in the next week or so.
Famous last words there; I’m crossing my fingers. Ironically, I did the audio interviews because I knew I wouldn’t have time to write while I was on my two-city, two-show-plus-family tour. As a wise man once said, such is life.
The big story on the Pump & Circumstance beat today is reigning Fitness Olympia and Fitness International champ Jen Hendershott, who announced that she would not be onstage to defend her title at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on September 25.
“The fitness industry has been very good to me. It is time for me to give back.,” Hendershott said in a press release. “I love working with people who aspire to improve themselves. I will focus on my new supplement company PGN, my training program Get Phat Online, Phat Camp, Get Phat Promotions and the many other projects that I am currently working on.“
The two-time winner of pro-fitness’ two most prestigious competitions, who’s featured on IRON MAN’s September ’09 cover with Tony Breznik (on newsstands now), stressed that she wasn’t retiring, just “taking some time to work on the many other things that I am passionate about.”
I have to admit I’m not surprised. It’s been a couple of months since I did my interview with Jen, and it took her this long to make the decision. Clearly, her heart’s not in an Olympia frame of mind for ’09.
Which brings up a host of possible scenarios. With Adela Garcia’s recurring injuries possibly keeping her off the Fitness O stage as well, the path could be clear for Julie Palmer or Tracey Greenwood to storm the Olympia castle and take the throne (and in Tracey’s case I mean that literally, if her last couple of routines are any indication).
Write that down on your list of points to ponder this summer.
Re Adela: That was the situation the last time I spoke with her. If it’s no longer correct, I’m sure someone will bring me up to date. I stand by my statement regarding Tracey and Jules waiting hungrily in the wings.
Update re Adela: Indeed, I was behind the times. La chica latina says she’s prepping to do some damage in Dallas at the Europa Super Show Fitness on August 14 and 15. I wouldn’t bet against her, not at the Europa and not at the big show, where she hopes to retake the title she won in 2004, 2006 and 2007. On the other hand, the removal of Hendershott and Kim Scheidler from the top end of the lineup could make for an interesting division of numbers on the score sheets come September.
Photos (from top):
Hendershott, who’s competed in every Fitness Olympsince 2000, will be sitting out this time.
Is Tracey waiting in the wings to take the throne?
1 Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment Login