2013 Arnold Sports Festival: Picks from the Pros

NICOLE WILKINS

Resume: 3x Figure International Winner (2010-2012)
Top 6 Picks
1 Erin Stern
2 Candice Keene
3 Heather Dees
4 Mallory Haldeman
5 Candice Lewis
6 Ava Cowan

Wilkins’ Breakdown
“I look at Erin and Candice as the clear top two, when they are both on. I think Candice has great shape when she is at her best, but I think Erin has developed her physique to be number 1 in the world. Unless she’s way off, there’s no way she shouldn’t take this title. Candice has to be careful not to come in too hard but also find a way to keep her glutes tight to give her a chance.”

“It’s very difficult to choose 2nd to 6th, I don’t think it’s clear cut at all. Heather Dees has done it before, but I thought she brought down her muscle a bit too much last year. I know she’s going to come in improved and if she can do that I think she can take that third spot.”

“Candice Lewis had a great year last year, but she did 10 shows and hasn’t had an offseason. It will be interesting to see how her body handles doing another show right now. She has great symmetry, so if she comes in tight enough she will be a contender for sure.”

“Mallory is kind of the dark horse. She’s fairly new and still placed top five at the Olympia. I like her conditioning, I like her look. It will be interesting to see where the judges place her.”

“Ava is constantly changing her look so you never really know how she’s going to come in. Last year was just an off year for her, if she can get back to where she was in 2011 I think she could be a bigger factor than she has been recently.”

Go here for Sonia Querido’s Bikini International Picks