This weekend, the IFBB Pro League heads back to Austin, Texas, for the sixth edition of the Republic of Texas Pro, and the Bikini division is bringing a seriously competitive lineup.
With 21 IFBB Bikini Pros taking to the stage, there's plenty on the line. For some athletes, it's all about securing that all-important Olympia qualification with a win. For others, it's about collecting valuable points as the race to the Olympia gets tighter with every show.
The biggest name in the lineup has to be former Bikini Olympia champion Isa Pecini. Whenever Isa steps on stage, you know she's there to win. Not only is she one of the most accomplished athletes in the division, but a victory this weekend would move her into third place on the all-time Bikini Pro wins list. That's a huge achievement, and I'm sure she'll be looking to make history in Texas.
Of course, it won't be handed to her.
Brittany Gillespie comes into this show full of confidence after picking up a win at the Tokyo Pro. She's been improving every time we've seen her this season, and it's been great watching her climb the ranks. Momentum is a powerful thing in bodybuilding, and she'll definitely be one to watch this weekend.
Another athlete who's quietly making a name for herself is Savannah Watchman. She's recently broken into the top 25 of the Olympia qualification standings and has been putting together some really impressive performances. Her result at the Indy Pro, where she finished ahead Ashley Kaltwasser, showed that she's capable of mixing it with some of the biggest names in the division. Don't be surprised if she's right in the battle for the top spots again.
Mahsa Akbarimehr is another athlete who seems to improve every time she competes. You can see the work that's gone into refining her physique, and each show has brought a better package than the last. It'll be interesting to see whether those improvements are enough to move her further up the standings this weekend.
Then there's Lexus Redmond, making her return to the stage after taking some time away from competition. As a previous Olympian, she already knows what it takes to compete at the highest level, so it'll be exciting to see what package she brings in her comeback appearance.
UKs Jessica Mutlow kicks off her season as the only UK Bikini representative in this field.
The Republic of Texas Pro always attracts a strong Bikini lineup, and this year is no different. You've got former champions, rising stars, returning veterans and athletes all chasing the same goal - a place on the Olympia stage.
On paper, Isa Pecini has to be the favourite. Her experience, stage presence and consistency make her incredibly difficult to beat. I don't see anything changing and with one more show after this weekend before she heads to the Olympia, I can expect her to finish off with 4 wins before Las Vegas.
