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2009 EUROPA SHOW OF CHAMPIONS FINAL REPORT

Alves, Wilkins-Lee and Meteraud win in Orlando

April 18, 2009

by Allan Donnelly

FLEXONLINE.COM

Gallery links below

It's been a long time coming for Troy Alves, but on Saturday afternoon in Orlando, after seven years and 24 contests, he finally stood alone in the winner's circle by winning the first pro show of his career at the inaugural Europa Show of Champions.

Just two months after placing 11th at the Ironman Pro, where Alves did nothing to deter skeptics who believed his best days were behind him, Alves entered the Show of Champions as an afterthought in a less-than-star-studded lineup. But in Florida the 42-year-old Alves miraculously managed to turn back the clock, entering the Show of Champions in his best condition in years, and possibly since placing eighth at the 2003 Olympia during his rookie year.

Alves' stiffest challenge came from an improved Hidetada Yamagishi and a slightly off Darrem Charles. While Yamagishi managed to regain the form that saw him place 13th at the 2007 Olympia, Charles continued what has become somewhat of a trend in recent years by entering his first contest of the season lacking his trademark razor-sharp conditioning, much like he did with a pair of sixth-place finishes at the 2007 Keystone Classic and the 2008 Houston Pro. Charles' subpar outing was enough to move him not only behind Alves, but also behind the runner-up Yamagishi.

Sergey Shelestov (fourth) and Frederic Sauvage (fifth) rounded out the top five.

FIGURE
Nicole Wilkins-Lee's star continued to rise in the professional figure and fitness ranks when the second-year pro notched the first win of her career. Wilkins-Lee, who competes in both professional figure and fitness, cracked the top 10 at both the 2008 Figure Olympia (ninth) and the 2009 Arnold Classic (eighth).

Wilkins-Lee edged past Heather Mae French and Monica Brant, who finished second and third, respectively.

FITNESS
One week after winning the New York Pro Fitness Championships for the first win of her career, Shannon Meteraud was back on top in Orlando. Myriam Capes placed second while Mindi O'Brien placed third.

2009 EUROPA SHOW OF CHAMPIONS GALLERIES
Click on names for photo galleries
MENS BODYBUILDING
Andy Haman
Daniele Seccarecci
Darrem Charles
Don Long
Francisco Bautista
Frederic Sauvage
George Farah
Hidetada Yamagishi
John Simmons
Jonathan Rowe
Milton Holloway, Jr
Nathan Wonsley
Omar Deckard
Oscar Dexter
Raul Carrasco
Sergey Shelestov
Troy Alves
Comparison Gallery One

FIGURE
Alana Hernandez
Amy Lee Martin
Ayamara Bernado
Brandie Gardner
Candice Keene
Catherine Holland
Cea Anna Kerr
Deanne Brown
Erin Stern
Hazal Nelson-Etiz
Heather Mae French
Ines Jimenez
Inga Neverauskaite
Jennifer Migliacci
Karen Williams
Kristin Nunn
Laura Sutter
Lisbeth Halikka
Marcy Porter
Monica Brant
Natalie Calland
Natalie Waples
Nicole Pitcher-Scott
Nicole Wilkins-Lee
Petra Mertl
Rachel Cammon
Shelly Taucher
Valerie Haines
Comparison Gallery One
Comparison Gallery Two

FITNESS
Donna Jones
Erin Riley
Jessica Booth Palmer
Leslie Ray Newton
Liza Hughes
Maggie Blanchard
Mandy Polk
Melissa Frederick
Mindi O'Brien
Myriam Capes
Ryall Graber
Shannon Dey
Shannon Meteraud
Siene Silva
Tina Durkin
Comparison Gallery One
Comparison Gallery Two

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