2014 IFBB Wings of Strength PBW Tampa Pro Preview

[Joe Pietaro]

By Joe Pietaro
08-05-2014

With only six weeks remaining until Olympia weekend, each and every contest holds more and more importance. Not with just the automatic invite with a win but also by accumulating those precious qualification points.

So this weekend’s IFBB Wings of Strength/PBW Tampa Pro takes on special meeting, especially for some veterans who are looking to jump into the fray come September in Las Vegas.

MEN’S BODYBUILDING

Victor Martinez’s name jumps off the competitor’s list and the Dominican Dominator should be able to hold off the likes of Max Charles, Bill Wilmore and Ben White.

MEN’S 212

This is a pretty interesting line-up with Tricky Jackson and Hidetada Yamagishi included.

MEN’S PHYSIQUE

A field of 29 competitors will be vying for the winner’s check and Anton Antipov looks to continue a successful year after winning the Prestige Crystal Cup, taking third in Toronto and sixth in New York.

WOMEN’S BODYBUILDING

With the opportunities few and far between, the women need to take advantage of shows like this and come in peeled. Sheila Bleck was putting together a nice run with five consecutive top-six placings from 2010 to 2012 (including three Olympias) but this will be her return to the stage after a two-year absence. Monique Jones hasn’t competed since last year’s O where she placed eighth but has two pro wins under her belt.

FITNESS

Bethany Cisternino leads a field of 13 women who will surely entertain with their routines.

FIGURE

This category is usually the vastest and with 35 competitors, this show is no exception. Amanda Doherty will be doing her fourth show of the calendar year and has placed top-10 at the Arnold, fourth in Australia and the runner-up at the FIBO.

BIKINI

Keep your eyes on India Paulino, who has had declined somewhat after a stellar three-year run as a pro.

WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE

This will be Ava Cowan’s first show competing in the WPD after five years competing in the IFBB figure ranks and dong quite well. She appears to be over her injuries and has taken the stage twice this year in her former category. But Cowan will have her hands full with the likes of Jillian Reville, Karina Nascimento and Heather Grace.