BOC Figure—Close Calls in Connecticut

I’ve gotta admit—the Europa Battle of Champions pro shows going down in Hartford, Connecticut,  were the last thing on my mind while were in Vegas, simultaneously celebrating almost-700 competitors  at the NPC United States Championships, a.k.a. the USAs, on July 29 and 30. Fortunately, East Coast ace Reg Bradford was on the scene to send me photos and opinions.

Two lineups of women did battle, in figure and women’s bodybuilding, resulting in five more bodies for the Olympia stage come September.

In the BOC Pro Figure skirmish, Gennifer Strobo took the top spot by a hair, er, a single point, while a best-she’s-ever-looked Jelena Abbou had to settle for second. In perusing the photos, I’m not surprised that there was a little controversy on that call. Even so, I can see why the decision tipped the away it did. Strobo, who qualified earlier in the season  at the the Europa Show of Champions in Orlando, still had the advantage in terms of symmetry and flow.

More critical to the who-goes-to-the-O score card at this top-three qualifier was the call regarding third. It was another one-point squeaker, with Holly Beck, who’s been competing in the pros for a couple of years, edging out rookie Chikondi Mseka to earn her first trip to the big dance.

Seventeen well-put together ladies came to quarter-turn at this one. Find the complete results below.

Photo (from left): Holly Beck, Gennifer Strobo and Jelena Abbou.

’11 Europa Battle of Champions Pro Figure

1) Gennifer Strobo*
2) Jelena Abbou*
3) Holly Beck*
4) Chikondi Mseka
5) Gina Trochiano
6) Tiffany Archer
7) Aleisha Hart
8) Hazal Nelson
9) Teresita Morales
10) Allison Frahn
11) Caroline Hernandez
12) Emily Nicholson
13) Melanie DePalma
14) Angelica Nebbia
15) Tiffany Procopio
16) Elizabeth Maurice
17) Marcy Porter
*Qualifies for the ’11 Figure Olympia.