Muscle Talk

Toronto Pro SuperShow Contest Predictions

A show that has more IFBBs pros competing than the Olympia and the Arnold Classic. A show that qualifies literally every division (men’s and women’s bodybuilding, men’s and women’s physique, figure, fitness, and bikini) for an Olympia spot. A show that boasts a massive health and fitness trade show (over 100 booths). A show that showcases over 400 athletes at both the amateur and professional level. The truth is, the Toronto Pro SuperShow isn’t just a show; this is the show. The show to attend not just if you’re in Toronto, but internationally. Only in its third year, the Toronto Pro SuperShow has become the most anticipated show for Canadians and industry professionals alike, and this year will be the biggest and best yet. With an unprecedented number of IFBB pros competing in every division, and Olympia spots up for grabs, expect to see your favorite pros bring their A-game this weekend to the Metro Toronto Convention Center.

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After Party:
Athletes and industry professionals that work hard, play hard. And no one works harder than the MUSCLE INSIDER crew, which means we will be hosting one epic after-party on Saturday night. Having DJ Tudor spinning the tracks at Cube and dozens of IFBB pros in attendance means this will be a serious party you don’t want to miss. In fact, you’d be crazy to miss it. So buy your tickets now, and see for yourself why this party will be legendary!

Top 5 Predictions for the TO Pro SuperShow

Men’s Bodybuilding

NEWS FLASH! Victor Martinez Enters Contest

After we wrote this post, it was announced that IFBB Pro legend and MHP Sponsored athlete Victor Martinez decided to enter the show at the last minute! This news was a gamechanger for crowd favourite Fouad Abiad! If Victor can nail his dry, hard condition like he did last weekend at the New York Pro, it will be his show for sure.  

1) Fouad Abiad: Here’s a guy with as much drive as he has heart. He placed 10th at the Arnold Classic, which is more than commendable, but it wasn’t good enough for our Windsor-born golden boy. Ever since he made the decision in 2012 to completely revamp and rebuild his body, Fouad took an abundance of time, put his head to the ground, and trained/ate his ass off to put on the necessary muscle mass he felt his body needed. Fouad expected a top-three finish at the Arnold, and I know he won’t be satisfied until he gets one in 2013. In my opinion, he will leapfrog third and second. This guy is going straight for the top in Toronto. He brings a shredded, tight, symmetrical package to the stage. He may not be one of the biggest guys, but he’s got full muscle bellies, is incredibly shredded, and you definitely notice his presence. Expect “Hoss” to take home top honors this weekend.

2) Jonathan Delarosa: Jon brought his A-game to the New York Pro last weekend and placed fourth, which was definitely a good showing for this rookie. If I have to nitpick, I could say maybe he’s competing a little too heavy. He was a little soft at last week’s show (but nothing he can’t tighten up) and was lacking some pec thickness. He needs to get a little harder, especially from the rear (hamstrings and glutes specifically), but as I said, he has to balance this with putting more size on his pecs. From what I know, he works out on and off with Victor Martinez, which is a huge endorsement from a pro who is willing to donate his time and energy to a relative newcomer to the game. This kid is hungry for a title. I expect a runner-up finish for him.

3) Cedric McMillan: I really don’t know what to make of this guy. He comes into the Arnold Classic in Ohio favorited to win, and he places sixth. Then he goes to the Arnold Brazil, expected to redeem himself, and by virtue of some misunderstanding/disqualification/mess, he doesn’t even end up competing. Then, he comes into the NY Pro with all this mystery and momentum behind him, and he drops to a less-than-stellar 12th. I can’t explain it. In Ohio, he was a little smooth, but definitely outsized the guys who placed fourth and fifth ahead of him. He has round, full muscle bellies, is one of the biggest guys onstage, comes in conditioned, and has a ton of potential. It’s about time for him to earn what is rightfully his. I’m expecting to see this guy crack the top three.

4) Antoine Vaillant: What to make of the Canadian boy wonder? We all had very high hopes for him at his first pro show coming off an impressive win at Canadian Nationals last year. But alas, he was relegated to 14th at the NY Pro. All of his online updates leading up to the show had us believing he was ready to take on some of the top guys in the sport, though when push came to shove, the timing just wasn’t right for him. He needed to be in better condition for the show, but his shoulders and legs were his standout body parts for sure. The other thing that isn’t helping him is his age; the guy is only in his mid-20s. On one hand, that makes his physique that much more impressive. But on the other hand, muscular density and maturity is something that only comes with time and experience. His more “mature” counterparts will just have thinner skin and more hardness to their muscles by virtue of the fact that they’re older. There’s nothing he can do about that for now. He’s still in my top five for his structure and overall package.

5) Marcus Haley: I’ve always been a fan of Marcus, mostly because his posing is always so fun, elegant, and interactive. He’s one of those guys that makes the sport fun to watch. But beyond that, he definitely has an impressive physique. He’s got paper-thin skin that helps emphasize his insane vascularity (when he’s ripped), and he brings a consistent package year after year. If I’m looking to nitpick, his waist could be brought in/streamlined a bit more. Other than that, his legs are great, and they showed amazing separation at the Arnold Classic that I’m hoping he can replicate in Toronto if he wants to make the top five.

Figure

1) Swann Cardot: Newly engaged (the girl part of me has to acknowledge this!), she’s absolutely beautiful, first of all; she’s just got that “look” that make your eyes gravitate towards her. Most recently, she beat Nicole Wilkins at the New York Pro last week and placed second. Not to take anything away from Swann, but Nicole brought a package that was less than her best. Regardless, though, to beat a Ms. Olympia is still saying something. She has a great V-taper and incredible stage presence and presentation. If anything, her legs may be a little thin, but if she’s still good enough to beat a Ms. Figure Olympia who’s just slightly off, she’ll definitely be a threat to the TO Pro lineup.

2) Natalie Waples: Natalie has had a Cinderella story of a season so far in 2013. After placing a disappointing 16th at the Arnold Classic (the term “disappointing” is relative because everyone knows how competitive the lineup is at the Ms. Figure International), she redeemed herself in her subsequent two shows. She did her homework, came out swinging, and took third and second and the St. Louis Pro in March and New York Powerhouse Pro in May, respectively. She needs to just keep doing whatever she’s been doing to prep for her last couple shows, and the wins will rack up. Her tight and tiny package is one the judges like, so as the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke...”

3) Aleisha Hart: Aleisha is going into the Toronto Pro with a lot of momentum, having gone from placing 12th at the Arnold Classic in March of this year to placing second at the St. Louis Pro two weeks later. She brought a very lean, tight package to the stage both times, and I think her most recent near-victory really gave her the extra push/drive she needed to continue whatever magic she was working to get her to that point. From second place, the only way out is up! This girl could definitely take it, and I’m expecting her to break the top three.

4) Ann Titone: Ann has had a great season so far in 2013. Having gone from placing a respectable 11th at the Arnold Classic in March, she went on to snag a runner-up finish at the Pittsburgh Pro. She has a great smile and is well put together onstage, but may have come in a little soft in her lower body at her last show. Whether she does anything about that or not will depend on her personal preference and what the judges are looking for his time around. She’s definitely top five in my books though.

5) Melanie Gardner: I like Melanie. I can’t put my finger on it—maybe it’s because of her conditioning, or how she carries herself onstage, or just her overall presentation. I just like her. This will be her first pro show since winning her IFBB pro card via winning the Figure Masters Overall and the Figure Masters Medium at this year’s Arnold Amateurs in March. She’s extremely lean, with rounded delts that pop when she poses, an awesome V-taper, and great legs. I can’t say whether the fact that she’s a rookie means expectations are high or not for this athlete, but I think she’ll definitely make an impression on the judges.

Female bodybuilding

1) Melody Spetko
2) Anne Freitas
3) Gillian Kovack
4) Jennifer Scarpetta
5) Janeen Lankowski

Fitness

1) Ryall Graber Vasani
2) Nicole Duncan
3) Amanda Hatfield
4) Fiona Harris
5) Vanda Hadarean

Bikini

1) Ashley Kaltwasser
2) Leigh Brandt
3) Jennifer Dawn
4) Nina Luchka

Female Physique

1) Mindi O'Brien
2) Toni West
3) Kim Tilden
4) Jill Rudison

Men's 212

1) Jose Raymond
2) Mboya Edwards
3) Tricky Jackson