The 2012 IFBB New York Pro featured a record-breaking 110 competitors spread across six divisions. Here, IFBB Professional League Chairman Jim Manion breaks down the top three finishers in the Figure division.
3 – AVA COWAN
“This was not Ava’s best showing. Her conditioning was not where it has been for her last few shows – she was a little too hard. Her overall presentation just seemed off, from her hair to her skin tone to her conditioning. I know her and Candice have been going back and forth, but Ava wasn’t at that level here.”
(See all of Ava Cowan’s photos here)
2 – HEATHER DEES
“Heather has really changed her physique over the last year. She has listened to the judges and really brought down her shoulders and her arms. Her presentation is better, just her whole look – she’s just getting better all the time. Her physique is getting more symmetrical and she’s a really pretty girl. I was very impressed with her.”
(See all of Heather Dees’ photos here)
1 – CANDICE KEENE
“Candice was the the definite winner. She just has the whole package working. She has a very athletic-looking physique, she’s very pretty and her overall presentation is very, very good. Another one that just keeps improving. She’s obviously a threat heading into the Olympia and will find herself contending for that first-place spot.”
(See all of Candice Keene’s photos here)
OVERALL
“This was a very big and a very deep lineup – almost 30 competitors. Outside of the Arnold, it was probably the best figure show of the year as far as the level of competition. The top five were all very good. Some of the competitors came in a little too hard, a little too conditioned – a few could have almost gone into the Women’s Physique division.”
