Pro/Am Contests Blog

Congratulations to Amanda Latona for taking home the top spot at the year’s FLEX Bikini Model Search contest. I was shared my thoughts on the competition after the prelims however when you look at the top 16, it was a good lineup. Keep in mind I was not being critical of the contest, the contest is a HUGE opportunity for women to get noticed. My hope is that women do a bit more research and present themselves better in future events. It’s the nature of the beast when you have an open competition. Some people may have entered because they lost weight and felt good about themselves. Other women appeared to be slightly delusional thinking they are a top FITness model, and leaves you wondering… Have you ever picked up and looked at FLEX magazine? The other part of this contest is being a spokesmodel. That means you need to be able to articulate well and not sound like a dufus when asked questions.

As you can see the top five women look the part of what a FITness model should look like. Amanda was without question the favorite in the audience and the clear winner in my opinion. Mary has a good look in the runner-up position and Tianna Ta improved her stage presence and tightened up her physique from Team Universe. Props to the women in the top five as well as the other women who brought a fit physique to this competition.

1. Amanda Latona
2. Mary Jarmolawich
3. Tianna Ta
4. Michell Goulet
5. Shannon Rockweiler
6. Tatum Miranda
7. Lauren Rush
8. Natalia Muntean
9. Krissy Richards
10. Fernanda Rocha
11. Katie Barnes
12. Ashley Zito
13. Tiffany Radzwill
14. Lindsay Huber
15. Deborah Cochrell
16. Kelly Willis

View pics from the 2009 Flex Bikini Model Search here.

Well, this weekend marked the first time I’ve ever competed. I didn’t know what to expect or exactly what the judges were looking for but I used this show as motivation to keep losing weight that I had put on over the years (I lost about 25-30lbs prepping for this).

I was very nervous to say the least…  I was so intimidated by not only the girls but the judges, the energy surrounding the event and definitely those stairs leading to the stage!

But,  I realized everyone was just as nervous as I was, and all the girls were so friendly and even helped me with the last minute posing questions I had. Everyone was so nice I immediately felt at ease.

I honestly was not expecting to place at all being my first show and all.  I went in hoping for the best and knowing that I worked hard to get to where I am with my physique was reward enough. I am not sure I have ever been more excited in my life, I am still in shock that I was 1st place!  I know I have weak areas that still need a lot of work and will keep pushing to bring a better package.

I will be competing again this weekend in NY at the Team Universe competition, which to be honest is kind of frightening. I know the show is larger and the competition greater but I will go in with the same hopes as this past weekend, try to relax and enjoy the whole experience of it all. 

Kirstin Lykus