Tag Teaneck

New York Pro…In New Jersey?

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15nypro-winners

This year’s New York Pro was held on a Sunday, which is rather unusual since bodybuilding events characteristically take place on a Friday or Saturday. Another odd feature about the date selected for the New York Pro was that it coincided with Mother’s Day. I can’t imagine trying to tell my mother that I couldn’t come out to see her on Mother’s Day because I had to compete on that day! At any rate, there was a great turnout for this event:

11 Men’s Bodybuilding competitors
11 Men’s 212 competitors
44 Men’s Physique competitors
32 Women’s Physique competitors
34 Figure competitors
22 Bikini competitors

I find it odd that the New York Pro was moved to Teaneck, New Jersey this year. I have nothing whatsoever against Teaneck, because I won my Pro Card there, but it makes no sense to keep calling this event the New York Pro if it no longer takes place in New York.

Regardless of the name and location of this highly respected bodybuilding event, some very worthy competitors won titles and Olympia qualifications for 2015:

Men’s Bodybuilding: Juan Morel
Men’s 212: Guy Cisterino, Jr.
Men’s Physique: George Brown
Women’s Physique: Michelle Cummings
Figure: Latorya Watts
Bikini: India Paulino

http://www.flexonline.com/ifbb/2015-new-york-pro-results-are?t=2

My First Free July 4th Weekend Since 2009!

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TU Overall Winners

Pictured above are the division Overall winners from NPC Team Universe last year. That’s me in the tangerine bikini third in from the right. I took home the following placings last year from the NPC Team Universe (you can click on the image to enlarge it):

Overall Master’s 40+ Bikini
1st Place Master’s 40+ Bikini B Class
1st Place Master’s 35+ Bikini B Class
4th Place Open Bikini D Class

I just realized that for the first time since 2009, I am not slated to travel to New Jersey to compete at the NPC Team Universe! No wonder I feel a bit out of sorts. I had grown so accustomed to flying to New Jersey and missing the July 4th festivities in the Los Angeles area, lugging bags full of food and competition gear and stressing out over whether I am dialed in sufficiently to do well onstage. It truly is an odd feeling not to be wound up like that!

It’s also bizarre to regard the NPC Team Universe as an event which is dear to my heart, because prior to 2013, it had always been an event in which I never placed very well. No one wins a Pro Card by placing 14th, 11th, 12th or 8th. There was something magical about the first week of July last year, and by the time I arrived in New Jersey, I knew that I would finally attain my goal of winning my Pro Card.

The NPC Team Universe is a fantastic event, and I am so excited for every single person who is competing this weekend! Best of luck to all athletes who are competing this weekend!