It was one big abbondanza of amazing bodies in my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when a sizable chunk of the physique world convened there on March 4 for the ’13 NPC/IFBB Pittsburgh Championships, which attracted more than 400 bodies onstage in the amateur and pro divisions. The festivities included pro shows in figure and bikini, as well as men’s physique, all of which drew large lineups of athletes heeding the call of promoter (and NPC and IFBB Pro League head) Jim Manion.
In Figure what appeared to be a close contest between Gennifer Strobo and Ann Titone for the top two spots turned into a unanimous win for Strobo, with Titone getting the unanimous nod for runner-up. Strobo was the best we’ve seen her for a while, with just the right amount of conditioning and bodyparts flowing in fine harmony. Titone, with her ever-improving symmetry and proportion, had also put forth one of her best ever packages.
All told, 27 game gals got onstage at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall. Dana Ambrose appeared to have the panel’s attention for the third spot at the judging until they moved Candice John next to Strobo and Titone in a later callout. By the time the winners were announced at the finals, Candice had slid into third ahead of Dana by a single point.
Laurie Schnelle rounded out the top five, with Monica Labriole just a point behind her in sixth.
Strobo picked up her invitation to the ’13 Figure Olympia, and Titone, who certainly would have like to have won, left venue with a smile on her face anyway, secure in the knowledge that she looked wonderful and was already qualified for the O via her win at the Kentucky Pro Muscle at the end of last season. Meanwhile, Ambrose is the current leader in the Olympia point-count derby, and Schnelle got on the board with her fifth-place finish.
Next up in pro figure: The Powerhouse Classic in Detroit this coming weekend, May 10 and 11, followed by the bi-coastal bonanza of the California Pro and New York Pro on May 25 and then the Toronto Super Show on May 31 and June 1.
Photo (from left): Ann Titone, Gennifer Strobo and Candice Johns.
Here are the complete results from Pittsburgh:
’13 Pittsburgh Pro Figure Championship
1) Gennifer Strobo
2) Ann Titone
3) Candice John
4) Dana Ambrose
5) Laurie Schnelle
6) Monica Labriola
7) Corinna Booth
8) Dawn Fernandez
9) Patty Zariello
10) Swann Cardot
11) Elizabeth Jenkins
12) Krista Dunn
13) Julie Rengert
14) Agnese Russo
15) Danielle Sereluca
16) Amy Puglise
16) Jessie Hilgenberg
16) Katerina Tarbox
16) Lauren Cascio
16) Melissa Frederick
16) Ninamarie Richter
16) Satrice Rigsby
16) Summer Bernard
16) Tammy Bravomalo
16) Tanya Weinle
16) Yoko Washington
16) Sarah Venturini
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