The Optimum Pro Women’s Physique Classic, which was held last weekend in Shreveport, Louisiana, slipped on to the IFBB schedule with less fanfare than it deserved, considering the quality of the competitors it attracted. Karina Nascimento topped a lineup of 12 with a perfectly buffed and muscled physique. The one-time bodybuilder won two physique competitions last year, including the IFBB’s very first WPD event, so it’s only fitting that she earned her qualification to the very first Olympia Women’s Physique Showdown, coming up in Las Vegas in September.
Tycie Coppett, who’s on her way to finding the right balance of muscle and conditioning on her lean, athletic body, was the runner-up, and Joele Smith, in her first outing of 2013, garnered third. The top three were all unanimous decisions, while fourth though sixth were separated by a single point each: Evangeline Belton went from out of the running at the Show of Champions in Orlando last month to fourth, Venus Nguyen took the fifth spot, and Karin Hobbs, who arguably could have finished higher, had to settle for sixth. The show also marked the long-awaited pro debut of ’11 NPC USA champ Sheilahe Brown, a former “smaller” bodybuilder who still carries a lot of muscle for physique, according to eyes on the scene.
Regarding the invite list for WPD’s first appearance at the Olympia, Nascimento is the fourth woman to qualify. Going into the New York Pro on May 25, Coppett and Nguyen were tied for first in the point standings.
Speaking of the New York Pro, it’s shaping up to be a battle of Brazilian bombshells as far as women’s physique is concerned, with Nascimento, looking to make it two in a row, going pose for pose against last year’s N.Y. Pro champ, Julianna Malacarne. Come to think of it, the upcoming WPD Olympia is shaping up to be an even bigger battle of the Brazilian bombshells, with early-season winner Patricia Mello also favored to be in the mix. Maybe there is more to that butt workout than meets the eye.
Photo: Karina Nascimento.
’13 Optimum Pro Women’s Physique Classic
1) Karina Nascimento
2) Tycie Coppett
3) Joele Smith
4) Evangeline Belton
5) Venus Nguyen
6) Karin Hobbs
7) Jennifer Robinson
8) Candrea Judd-Adams
9) Antonia Perdikakis
10) Samantha Hill
11) Sheilahe Brown
12) Lindy Waid
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