Toronto Pro Show Post Review
The inaugural Toronto Pro Show was an action packed weekend filled with avid fans, fitness enthusiasts and celebrity appearances. Inspired by the Arnold Sports Festival , the weekend kicked off on Friday with the expo highlighting a number of extreme and combative sports from bodybuilding, fitness, figure, arm wresting, strong man and MMA.
In heading to the expo on Friday the expo was already buzzing with fans ready to meet their favourites celebrates in each of their respective sports. As a media correspondent for the Toronto Pro show team I was more then excited to interview the various celebrities and industry icons around the expo including IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Toney “the Xman” Freeman, Strongman Champion Hugo Girard, World Champion Arm Wrestler Michael Roy and of course I was busy backstage interviewing the winners’ of each of the women’s events in the OPA and IFBB Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure and Bikini events.
Backstage with the Winner’s ….And the winner is?
Backstage was crowded with Pro and Amateur women. It was all about studded suits, bikini bite, heals and practicing those last minute poses before taking the stage for the judges. Canada held strong Friday night as they announced the winners in Fitness, Bikini and Women’s Bodybuilding.
Canada left no room for air in the Women’s Pro Fitness line up snatching each of the top 3 spots. It was a tear-filled moment for the newest of our IFBB Fitness Pro’s Jody Boam who brought an undefeatable package earning her first Pro show win remarkably, within the first year of obtaining her IFBB Pro Card at the CBBF Canadian Nationals in 2010. Myriam Capes took 2nd place with her show stopping routine. Veteran Fitness Competitor Mindy O’Brien who returned to the fitness line up after recovering from various injuries took 3rd place clearly demonstrating she still has what it takes to qualify for the Olympia.
The Pro Bikini division is always a show stopper with bombshell Chelsea Montes taking 1st place. A great way to celebrate her Pro win on her birthday. She was able to wow the judges with her swagger, style and stage presence. Close behind was Missy Cole placing 2nd, and Canadian cutie Justin Monroe is always a heart throb on stage with her stunning smile and cultivated physique that graces the stage like poetry in motion.
The Women’s Pro Bodybuilding winner was locked in by Brigita Brezovac adding another Pro show to her belt along with victories in both the Europa Battle of Champions and Pro Bodybuilding Weekly championships in 2010. Canada’s Nicole Ball took 3rd place with evidence that Nicole was doing her homework bring greater thickness to her physique. Mah Ann Mendoza looked the best she ever has bringing the best physique and presentation to date. Balanced symmetrical lines and sharp conditioning earned her 3rd place.
Saturday was highlighted with various events including the finals for the Oxygen and Muscle Mag model searches offering lucrative prizes and magazine coverage. The OPA Provincials was the largest to date and the night ended with the Pro Men’s Bodybuilding, 202 and Figure Divisions.
A great year for Pro Figure winner Jennifer Strobo adding this Pro win to her roster of top 5 placings. Trinidad’s , Candice John took 2nd place and rounding out the top 3 was Ann Titone.
Craig Richardson often seen as the underdog, managed to steal the Men’s Pro Bodybuilding win, challenging the misconception that “bigger means better.” Weighing in at 214 pounds . Bringing his best package to the stage, it was evident to the judges once the quarter turns to the back revealed the winner.
The 202 division was championed by Shaun Tavernier.
Bringing back the Toronto Pro show proved to be a great success . A special thanks to Promoters Ron Hache, Co- Promoter Jim Morris L.A. Redding the media team , volunteers and all those who came out to support the inaugural sports weekend . The Toronto Pro Show , Canada’s largest extreme and combative sports was more then a weekend of sports, it was an opportunity to bring world class athletes from 18 different countries together to live their dreams and share their passion for each of their respect sports.
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