In 2009 NPC will have a Bikini Division

[OBh2o]

Beginning next year the NPC will have a Bikini Division and the IFBB will follow a year later. I received this info from a very good source. And after questioning was given a link-

NPC News On-Line

Yes that means very shortly there will be Bikini Pros good or bad. If you saw the girls from the Fame - Flex Bikini Championships they were very fit indeed. Not your typical 'bikini' contest at all.

[hardgainer]

Awesome, this should bring even more of a crowd to the shows; this is good!!

[torofuerte]

Uhmmmm, the NPC website keeps timing out, so I can't read the rules, don't know if it's my network or what :-/ :-/ :-/

What exactly does this new type event mean in terms of physical/athletic attributes, though? Anyone that could give me the scoop until I can get to the site and read it?

[orientalkid]

But what difference would it be between figure pros and bikini pros then? (except for the tan maybe).

Btw, I still cant figure out the diff between fitness and figure, save the fact that figure girls just do quater turns while fitness girls have fitness routines. Of course both groups of ladies are hot none the less.

[OBh2o]

Originally Posted by torofuerte

Uhmmmm, the NPC website keeps timing out, so I can't read the rules, don't know if it's my network or what :-/ :-/ :-/

What exactly does this new type event mean in terms of physical/athletic attributes, though? Anyone that could give me the scoop until I can get to the site and read it?

Here they are for you Toro ... cut and paste

For a slightly heated discussion on this issue please check this link -
NPC BIKINI DIVISION - RULES/REGULATIONS - Siouxcountry.com



NPC BIKINI DIVISION

NPC MEMBERSHIP

* Each competitor must be a member of the NPC.

SANCTIONING A BIKINI DIVISION EVENT

* An NPC BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS must be run along with another NPC division i.e. Bodybuilding, fitness or figure contest.

CONTEST ENTRIES

* All height classes and awards must be awarded as advertised on the entry form.
* Height classes may not be combined on the day of the show and this cannot be advertised as a possibility.

AWARDS

* Cash awards are not permitted.

CHECK-INS

* BIKINI Division competitors will be checked in and measured the same as Fitness and Figure competitors.

HEIGHT CLASSES – For Pro qualifying event

* Up to and including 5’1”
* Over 5’1” and up to and including 5’2-1/2”
* Over 5’2-1/2” and up to and including 5’4”
* Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’5-1/2
* Over 5’5-1/2” and up to and including 5’7”
* Over 5’7”

If promoter chooses to do fewer height classes:

For all contests with two (2) classes:

* Up to and including 5’4”
* Over 5’4”

For all contests with three (3) classes:

* Up to and including 5’4”
* Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’6”
* Over 5’6”

For all contests with four (4) classes:

* Up to and including 5’2”
* Over 5’2” and up to and including 5’4”
* Over 5’4” and up to and including 5’6”
* Over 5’6”

COMPETITOR RULES

* National level contests do not permit competitors to crossover into Bodybuilding, Fitness or Figure at the same event. All other competitions are permitted to have crossovers at the discretion of the promoter with district chairperson approval.
* Competitors will compete in a two-piece suit. The bottom of the suit must be v-shaped. No thongs are permitted. Competitors can compete in an off the rack suit. All swimsuits must be in good taste.
* Competitors must wear high heels.
* Competitors may wear jewelry.

COMPETITION JUDGING

Presentation

* Competitors will walk onstage alone and perform their Model Walk (personal preference)
* The Model Walk consists of the following:

Walk to the center of the stage, stop and do a front stance then a full turn and do a rear stance then turn to the front again in front of the judges and then proceed to the side of the stage.

Comparison Round, Two-Piece Swimsuit

* Competitors will be judged wearing a two-piece swimsuit and heels.
* The competitors will be brought out in a group and directed to do a full front and rear stance.
* Judges will have the opportunity to compare competitors against each other in half turns. (No side judging permitted, front and back only.)
* Judges will be scoring competitors on the following items:
o Balance and Shape
o Overall physical appearance including complexion, skin tone, poise and overall presentation.

QUALIFYING FOR NATIONAL LEVEL EVENTS

* For the year 2009 only, there will be no qualification necessary to enter National Bikini competitions.
* The following placings will qualify competitors for one year for the NPC national level Bikini contests:
o Top 5 places in each class at National Qualifying events only.

The NPC national level contests are listed below:

*

JUNIOR USA BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIP
*

JUNIOR NATIONAL BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
*

USA BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
*

TEAM UNIVERSE BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
*

IFBB NORTH AMERICAN BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS
*

NATIONAL BIKINI CHAMPIONSHIPS

QUALIFYING FOR IFBB PRO STATUS

* The following placings at selected national level events will qualify competitors to turn professional and compete in the IFBB Pro Bikini Contests.

* USA CHAMPIONSHIPS – Height class winners earn IFBB Pro Card (6 height classes)
* NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – Height class winners earn IFBB Pro Card (6 height classes)
* JUNIOR USA CHAMPIONSHIPS – top 2 in the Overall Comparison earn IFBB Pro Cards – (6 height classes)
* JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - top four (4) in the Overall Comparison earn IFBB Pro Cards (6 height classes)
* IFBB NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - Top two (2) in Overall Comparison earn IFBB Pro Cards (6 height classes)
* TEAM UNIVERSE CHAMPIONSHIPS – Top two (2) in each height class earn their IFBB pro Card (6 height classes)


NPC News On-Line

[hardgainer]

Originally Posted by orientalkid

fitness girls have fitness routines

That is the biggest difference and also that it seems that ratio of fitness to figure girls is like 10:1. I've been to shows where there's only 1 to 3 fitness competitors but all the classes of figure are full.

[torofuerte]

Thanks OBh2o. I'm pretty much at page two of that discussion on the subject you sent me. Oh boy.

I'm kinda troubled with this. I'm still reading to make sure I'm not missing anything, but I'd really want to know what are the implications regarding the physical and athletic attributes of those who wish to participate in the bikini division.

Though figure does not have the gymnastic/athletic requirements that come with fitness routines, there is still a clear emphasis on muscle symmetry and tone. And in both forms of competitions, those two attributes can only come through a very strict training and diet regime. The competitions might not be an athletic event or sport, but the competitors surely have to live like competitive athletes. And that's the greatest appeal of all, at least to me.

I would not want to see figure and fitness being watered down to some sort of hooters bikini contest just for the sake of appealing to a broader audience in the name of marketing expansion. It would not be different than what happened to pro wrestling, and it would be akin to introducing a who-can-do-more-bicep-curls event at a powerlifting meet. Standards are not meant to be lowered down just to cater to the average, much less to give a prize for being average.

Or maybe I'm wrong and just talking out of my ass. I hope there are indeed clear physical requirements to this division that are orthogonal to the physical requirements (and spirit of physical excellence) that are present in bodybuilding, figure and fitness.

[Kavvy Sonhos]

"I'm kinda troubled with this. I'm still reading to make sure I'm not missing anything, but I'd really want to know what are the implications regarding the physical and athletic attributes of those who wish to participate in the bikini division."

Well as a figure competitor I know I speak on behalf of a lot of other figure comeptitiors when I say, We are confused on what the NPC is wanting!!
Each competition they seem to want something completely opposite of the last! It is very frustrating and confusing!!!!
I think this will be a good thing though! The bikini division can go to the girls that do not have much muscle mass and will let us girls (like me) who have a lot of muscle a chance But in the end, I am sure that the bikini competitors, like the fitness and figure competitors will all use the common expression, "Go Figure" on what they are wanting! All us girls are wanting is some consistency on what they are waniting and looking for so we can trainand diet appropriately!!!!

[OBh2o]

The Arnold Classic will be the host of the first NPC Bikini Division competition
on March 5, 2009 in Columbus, OH. Here is a link-

http://www.arnoldclassicamateurbodyb...bikinidiv.html

From the Arnold Classic website-

"Competitors will come out in small groups of six or seven at one time and go through the mandatory poses. Each competitor will then take the stage for their individual presentation.
At the conclusion of that assessment they will again take the stage as a group and be separated for comparisons.

NOTE: BIKINI COMPETITORS ONLY HAVE A FRONT AND BACK POSE."


There will be 2 classes-

Short - Up to and including 5'-4"
Tall - Over 5'-4"

[Italianangel]

the idea is to give us nattys a place to compete! Or at least for the smaller girls, even if they are on drugs.........figure is now like a lite bodybuilding and in some shows they seem bigger than the female bb's so this is their way of giving the smaller and natty girls a place to enter, although there is no side poses and its a fast category, I know npc does not go toward the froo froo look like other figure shows so their bikini will not be pageant or froo froo for sure.
The will be hard and lean, just maybe not amazonian or freakish.
I wanted to try to get my ifbb in figure and still may but I know I would have to fluke into a small show to win a pro show in figure, these girls should be in weight classes now..........you get some gals in 5'3 who are 109 and then the juicers at 130 or more......very unfair, the bigger in the height class is favored..........I think figure needs weight classes now to make it more fair. Figure started with wnso in 1999 as a way for girls who don't want to flip to do routine and similar to fitness, also for less cut n tone than bb but a bit more than fitness.............its changed a lot since the other feds adapted this class. NOw figure can mean many different things depending where you enter so now the whole fitness model and bikini classes are meant for those who wish to be above 8-10% bf etc.
Sadly, I know bikini and model competitors who are on the juice.............so this class will warp too. Wait in 5 yrs and lets see what these bikini girls look like, have you seen some of the fitness models lately in the less pageant type federations? Its like either you are in a beauty contest or a bodybuilding................the whole idea of middle ground with these classes, the whole focus on the body you are supposed to have is warped.
As stated above, confusion about what npc or other feds want......they have an outline and some even say what they want, although you have to pull teeth to get any judge to comment, saving their asses I guess............but they don't seem to judge according to the outlines sometimes. I know it depends on who enters but many times the right one enters and the don't win and should......at least according the rules......
In 07 and into 08 I had contacted the head judges of many federations seeking then to do an interview with me for an article regarding what they look for, how can you win? None, NONE of them would talk. That to me shows the corruption which is sad - but its not all shows, you have to feel it out, the promoter can affect the show to be better than other shows of the same fed or worse........many factors can differ causing the experience of fairness to differ from show to show and fed to fed.


Linda